development of weaponry (WW2)

• What were weapons mainly?


  Improved version of WW1 weapons eg Blitzkrieg used WW1 weapons but more reliable and better coordinated- tank, motor vehicle, aeroplane (Stuka dive bomber). Brought speed back to battlefield and advantage went from defender to attacker.
• Great tank battle?


  More reliable, could move at greater speeds- Kursk 1943 had over 10,000 tanks
• Combustion engine?


  Meant mobile artillery played an increased and more effective rod in battle eg North Africa third battle of El Alamein 1942
• Improvements in aircraft early WW2?


  Stuka dive bombers crucial role in determining outcome of blitzkrieg in early years as provided air cover for tanks and infantry assaults and attacking retreating enemy forces. Such power ensured trench warfare wouldn’t dominate. Flexible and hardy aircraft like Spitfire and Hurricane important during Battle of Britain but also supported troops.
• Improvements in aircraft late WW2?

  Allies able to destroy German air force, Luftwaffe, and much of its war economy by destroying industry and lines of communication. Bombing denied Germany half its weapons and equipment. Air power ensured WW2 was a total war and that civilians were often as involved as those fighting on the front. Air power had greatest impact on nature in this period- destroyed many cities showing the extent of how civilians were affected and destroyed the enemy’s economy. Atomic bomb 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mass destruction of buildings and civilians- ended war.