World War Ii and Total War Effort Essay

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Why Germany lost World War II

by
Bernie Tian

CHC2DI
Ms. Todd
December 11, 2012

Like World War I, Germany's main reason for losing the war was its lack of adequate allies and fighting wars on multiple fronts. Hitler had come very close to reaching his goal for conquest yet, his failure to concentrate his resources proved fatal. Combine that with the fact that the Allies had a mix of well organized troops, weaponry, and resources, the future for Germany in the war had already looked grim. Even with the early successes from Poland to France. The Battle of Britain, the invasion of Russia, and the declaration of war on the U.S. had made this a war against the world. Like how Germany’s foreign minister stated “We no longer demand anything, we want war.”It was a war nearly impossible for Germany to win. In the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe wanted to obtain air superiority in the face of the war. As Winston Churchill said “Air superiority is the ultimate expression of military power.” Hitler had given an order to destroy the Royal Air Force (RAF) to prepare the way for Operation Sealion which was the plan of three massive armies invading on the south coast of England. Under the orders of the chief in the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering the attack began in early June on British coastal areas and convoys. By the 13th of August the air battle began, the Germans had failed to destroy important British air warning and radar systems which were more advanced than their own. The 15th of September marked the “Battle of Britain Day”, and the Luftwaffe had failed to defeat the RAF, having constantly underestimating the power of the British fighter defense. Hitler had pushed the date of Operation Sealion back until it was deemed too risky. It was quite an accomplishment for Britain; it boosted Britain's position internationally and the anti German feeling amongst its people, which was important for a total war effort against Germany. Germany had taken its first step back and the Luftwaffe never fully recovered throughout the war. The German army had failed to invade England and it had also failed to capture British soldiers who because of the “miracle” of Dunkirk were able to escape back to the shores of England. Britain's achievement boosted her confidence and pride; its small number of bombing planes with fighters backing it began raids on Germany.
Germany's attack got off on a terrible start. Waves of German bombers and escort fighters took off on the morning of August 13 known as, unaware that a last minute report of bad weather had caused Goering to delay the raids until afternoon. Recall messages were sent as fast as they could, but not all of the escort fighters received them. The RAF, cautioned by radar, was ready and waiting as the bombers approached, and shot down a large portion of the fighters. Hitler's biggest mistake maybe was to declare war on Russia which had never successfully been invaded before. The Russians had three advantages; the size of the country, its large army and the Russian winter. Before the attack Hitler signed a new German Russian treaty and as a result Russia was unprepared for the German attack. Like Sun Tzu said “All war is based on deception.” When Germany invaded Russia they did so in the belief that war would be over in a few months, but they were equipped only for summer fighting. The attack was launched on three fronts, in the north towards Leningrad, in the south towards the Ukraine and centre towards Moscow with initial surprisingly successful advances. Within days the Luftwaffe had already won air superiority, the Germans were encircling Russian defenders and the Nazi legions had already captured tanks, guns and prisoners. Hitler wanted much needed resources in Russia and Germany's main objective was to capture the Leningrad Moscow Volga line. The Germans captured Riga, Smolensk and Kiev and in August 1942 they attacked Stalingrad to secure the oilfields of Cacasus. After Hitler's
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