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Deployment and Participation in Europe-1942

Explore why the U.S. viewed Germany as the main threat in late 1941, analyzing the Battle of the Atlantic, U-Boat disruptions, and the Middle East crisis. Delve into issues with deployment, U.S. participation, and the impacts on the European invasion timeline. Was the U.S. policy correct? Uncover the complexities in this historical context.

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Deployment and Participation in Europe-1942

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  1. Deployment and Participation in Europe-1942

  2. Why did the United States see Germany as the greatest threat in late 1941? Was this policy correct? Why or why not?

  3. Issues with Deployment • Only 1.7 million mobilized • Inadequately outfitted with AA, tanks, radio, radar, etc. • Worst scarcity was in ammunition (not enough to facilitate multiple divisions) • Infantry training interrupted for continental assignments

  4. Battle of the Atlantic • Longest campaign in WWII (1939-1945) • Among largest in naval history • Blockade of Germany; counter-blockade of GB • GB more susceptible (geography) • Characterized by extensive submarine usage and revolutionary technological use

  5. German U-Boats • U-boats disrupting shipping lanes • 2+ million tons of supplies lost (March-June); oil tankers targeted • 1.1 million tons lost at end of November (peak) • Convoyscreated to protect traffic • Ineffective due to division between branches

  6. High-Frequency Direction Finding “Huff Duff”

  7. U-864

  8. Early Actions in 1942 • 1st half of 1942- Majority of forces used in Pacific Theater • Not following “Germany first” policy • Stalling of military actions due to lack of supplies and garrisons • Relieving of pressure in Pacific in June (Battle of Midway) opened up discussion of European invasion

  9. Operation Roundup- Invasion into NW Europe across English Channel Contingent upon resistance of Soviets and whether Germans will be drawn to the west Invasion set in spring of 1943; support Soviets with bombardments and materiel

  10. Erwin Rommel- German commander of Afrika Corps Bernard Montgomery- British commander of Eighth Army

  11. Crisis in the Middle East • Early victories against unprepared Italian army • British adopt defensive position in Libya after taking Egypt in Operation Compass • Rommel and the Afrika Corps turn tide against British and force them to withdraw by May 1942 • Increased U.S. aid to Soviets and British diversion of resources to Middle East ends British participation in American military build-up in England (Bolero)

  12. Sledgehammer/Roundup  Torch • Operation Sledgehammer-emergency invasion of Europe in 1942 (if Soviets fall) • British hesitancy; Bolero taking too long • 1943 Spring invasion seems virtually impossible • Substitute plan: Operation Torch • Anglo-American invasion of N. Africa • Invasion of N. Africa ends the defensive stage of the war

  13. Under what circumstances could the Allies have launched an invasion of the European continent in 1942? What could the United States have contributed to such an operation? Why did the diversion of resources to the Mediterranean affect the timetable for an invasion of the continent in 1943?

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