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MH-13: Germany Triumph

MH-13: Germany Triumph. WWII: Germany Triumph : Strategic Overview. WWII=> 1Sept1939 - 2Sept45 (6 years): in Europe: 50M Killed: 15 M Military and 35M Civilians killed 6M Jews exterminated by Nazis 25M Russians homeless Asia: Sino-Japanese war + famine, disease, war =>

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MH-13: Germany Triumph

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  1. MH-13:Germany Triumph

  2. WWII: Germany Triumph:Strategic Overview • WWII=> 1Sept1939 - 2Sept45 (6 years): in Europe: • 50M Killed: 15 M Military and 35M Civilians killed • 6M Jews exterminated by Nazis • 25M Russians homeless • Asia: Sino-Japanese war + famine, disease, war => • Toll: 10s of millions • Tokyo fire bombings and Hiroshima => 100K each • WWII => total war & far beyond all others before it: • War’s Major Participants: • Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) vs. • Allied western democracies

  3. Strategic Continuum? • WWII started in Europe => spread to rest of world; • Perhaps the best way to view WW2 is as Continuum: • Lasting from 1914 => 1945 - why? • Political, social, economic impact on Germany: • DidTreaty of Parisreally end WWI? • (Reality: WWI ended only in ?____________________) • In fact=> both WWI & II shared several characteristics: • Tactics & weapons innovations were based on what? • 1918 WW1 Battle ?____________________ & Lessons ?____________ • German ?____________________ tactics of 1918 evolve/refined: • Applied directly to tactics used for WW2’sBlitz?_____________=> • So what is key difference between the two Wars?

  4. Key Difference Between Two Wars • Unprecedented scale of total war & its destruction • Extensive integration of each state’s => • industrial resources & economiccapacity • Every aspect of Nation’s full potential exploited: • Everything dedicated totally to the war effort • Following 1918 Armistice=> uneasy 20 yr peace followed: • Europe used the time to prepare for war in uneven manner: • In general, winners tend to fall back on their success: • Military doctrine/strategy based primarily on weapon capabilities: • Simply integrated into old concepts of last war! • Losers (Germans) study the lessons of why they lost: => • Made key changes & prepare for next time => focus: improvedmobility • Germany in particular made major changes early on: • Outline the major military advances during1918-39:*

  5. Military Developments (1918-1939)- Germany • Germany’s focus of tactical innovation & change? • The ?____________________ • Review & study latter part of WWI=> develop framework • Emphasis: tactical battlefield mobility • Weapons refinement & its adaptation to mobile warfare: • Tank, Aircraft & their impact on & use in infiltration tactics • Result: Germany adapts mobile warfare=> Blitzkrieg; • Die Truppenfuhrung – developed German Military Doctrine: • Doctrine was summary of WWI analysis & Lessons Learned: • Decentralized execution • Speed & exploitation => initiative • Integration & coordination of Combat arms • Leadership from the front

  6. Blitzkrieg Doctrine • Who is most responsible for shaping future German Blitzkrieg doctrine? • General Hans von ?____________________ • WWI tactician • Focused Army on highly mobile offensive operations – why? • Force structure limits dictated by Armistice settlement • Long defensive campaignnot feasible • Must therefore rely onmobility & surprise • Basic elements required for tactical success?*

  7. The Basics of Tactical Success ?____________________! • Speed – Surprise – and… • Tactics of Maneuver: Blitzkrieg Tactics

  8. Germany’s Rearmament • Germany’s rearmament began in 1933: • Hitler’s role & aggressive foreign policies • Renounced Treaty of Versailles • Hitler’s Grand Strategic Aim? • More than just a roll back of Treaty of Versailles to pre-1914 borders • Major Change: Greater Germanyas articulated in Meine Kamph • So called “Lebensraum” to the East • Army’s initial reaction to Hitler? • They thought they could control him • What was their reaction to Hitler’s early aggression? • ?____________________ at first –Why?* • Feared ?_________________ expected reaction

  9. Tactical Refinements Following Poland • Tactical doctrine & conversion to Panzer Divisions • Combined arms doctrine for highly mobile battles • Indoctrination of German officer corps: • Initiative, flexibility, and aggressive leadership from the front • All units fought & trained to set doctrine & standards • (But doctrine applied as guide not dogma) – New tactics called? • ?____________________ => emphasized: • Commander’s intentalways considered: • Individual initiative to achieve mission at lower echelons • Mission accomplishmenttrumps all other considerations • German command environment & its focus: • Decentralization of unit action & initiativeat tactical level • HQ: centralized direction, authority, & coordination at Op level • Stress is on battlefield mobility throughout all levels • How did rest of Europe’s military development during the interim war period compare?

  10. Military Developments (1918-1939)- Britain • Strategic attitude of Brits toward war in Europe? • Avoid wars on ?___________ (ostrich approach)=> isolation • Military attitude toward change? • ?______ change (early attempts by J.F.C. Fuller & Liddell Hart) • Example: 1932 study on tank employment based on WWI L/L • Action by British Chief of General staff? • ?____________ it- Old traditional ways & tactics prevail – why? • ?____________________! • Promotion in British Army based on what? • ?______ & ?_______ standing => impact on innovative thought? • Stifled – Army stuck in tradition & established class structure • Status of common doctrine or tactical framework? • Combat arms evolved ?_______ in isolation from other branches • Was British tank study & its Lessons used at all? By who? • ?_________________!

  11. Military Developments (1918-1939)- France • Key Lesson Learned by French during WWI? • “back to the future”? (WWI) • Classic case of fighting the last war! • Focus: Defensive position warfare • French strategy to implement this derived lesson of WWI? • ?________________defense Line & its strategic purpose? • Connected systems of underground Forts & strong defensive points • Protect high value areas & channel attackers into avenues protected by limited French armed forces • Belgium extended line to north w/Fort system along Albert Canal • Along its eastern border with Holland

  12. Interwar Military Developments- Key Questions • Key Questions for French military operational & tactical employment: • 1. How did the French decide to use their tanks? • 2. What was the French doctrine for fighting battles? • French Tanks: spread available units across entire army: • Not concentrated as a stand alone Armor force • French objective: Defeat themselves in detail? • French tactical & C2 Doctrine=>static warfare of 1917: • Highly centralized & tightly controlled C2 • Battles to be fought by phase lines (in sequence)- ala WWI • HQ calls all the shots=> Problem? • Stifles ?___________, flexibility, & ?___________ at the front • The very opposite of the German’s tactical doctrine

  13. Military Developments (1918-1939)- USSR • Following Civil War & Foreign Interventions: • Priority of government: loyalty to Bolshevik revolution • General Tukhachevskii’s early effort to form elite force: • 1931: 1st armor divisions created • Large scale parachute operations conducted • Emphasis on increased operational & tactical mobility • Traditional appeal of conscription to Soviets & its effect • Dampened military’s professionalization • Stalin’s 1937 purge of military leadership: • Impact of purge on Tukhachevskii’s reforms & doctrine? • Die with military leaders at the firing squads • Impact on Russia when Barbarossa launched? • ?___________- Soviets totally ?____________________ • Very little effective competent military leadership of flag officer rank

  14. Military Developments (1918-1939)- U.S. • National Defense Act of 1920s- • Framework for development of coherent US military force structure • Not implemented whenGOPcomes to power • GOP under President Harding takes over Whitehouse: • GOP’s focus: strong domestic economy=> back to “normalcy” • Impact of “normalcy” on the Defense Budget? • Business thrives while Military Budgets & force structure & equipment ?____ • Impact of the GreatDepression of 1930s? • Worsens condition and status of US Army even more • Armed Forces’ relative capability at lowest in our history (3rd rate power) • Key exception: US military’s education system • Emergence of future military leadership (Marshall & Nimitz) • Major contrast between German & US officer corps? • Emphasis & expertise in: Tactics & Operational Art versusStrategy & logistics • Who excels best in what & why is it significant? • German ?____________ & ________________advantage for short war • U.S. ?_______________ & __________________advantage for long war

  15. Air Warfare- A Summary • RAF’s mission: Strategic Bombing (enemy population) • Strategic Aim: Devastate enemy’s working class=> • Who in turn would force their Government to sue for peace • Key proponent of strategic bombing: Air Marshall Hugh ?_______________ • RAF view of Navy & Army’s future wartime role: need not apply • US Air Corps: Air power 1st-then=> strategic bombing • Key Difference: target economic nodes vice enemypopulation • Key proponent: BG Billy ?_______________ • View of Navy & Army’s future wartime role? • German Luftwaffe: more balanced air doctrine developed • Experience gained during Spanish Civil War • Strategic Bombing proved ineffective • No popular collapse of Spanish population as predicted by theorists • Therefore: Luftwaffe put emphasis more on CASto Army • (In contrast to RAF & US doctrine of strategic bombing) • Initial CAS problems: lack of C3 to direct A/C to follow-on targets

  16. Naval Warfare- A Summary • British:Strategic Priority: Command of the Sea • Big guns & Battleships (Alfred T. Mahan) • Attitude toward SS threat? (Impact of ASDIC?) • Germans: same strategic priorities & attitudes (SS threat) • Problem? => Big guns/Battleship match up with British Navy? • Also a rift with Goring & Luftwaffe hampers air support for Navy • US Navy: also embrace Mahan’s Command of the Sea • Big guns & Battleships & initially ignores SS threat (initially -no convoys) • But Billy Mitchell antagonized Navy Brass to develop a Navy Air capability • Built primarily around Aircraft Carrier (CV) • Japan: held similar strategic priorities & attitudes as US • Ignored SS threat & aggressively pursued CV Air • By start of WWI, Japan had world’s best pilots & fighter- the Zero

  17. World War Two’s Outbreak • Origins of WWII & Hitler’s role: • Hitler’s strategic vision for 3rd Reich: • Hitler’s strategy: Mein Kampf • Major historical events leading to War (1933-1939): • Jan 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor: • Consolidates power & withdraws from League of Nations • 1935: conscription & Luftwaffe established • 1936: remilitarization of Rhineland; • Commences rearmament • Mar 1938:Anschluss (?)*

  18. Anschluss • Anschlussmeant a union of Germany and Austria • Mussolini had initially blocked Hitler’s ambitions in Austria • Hitler tried again in 1938 • Now he had better diplomatic relations with Italy • Hitler attempted to take control of Austria • He used propaganda, intimidation, & threats- but all failed • Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg announced his intent to hold a plebiscite • Aim: Test voters’ real preferences toward Hitler’s Anschluss on 13 Mar’38 • Hitler’s view toward Austria’s holding plebiscite? * • Hitler knew he would lose any plebiscite held by wide margin • So instead Hitler invaded Austria on 12 March 1938 • Nazi supporters cheered invading German army • Major strategic significance of Anschluss? • First real indication of ?________ intent toward expansion in blatant defiance of Versailles Treaty • And… after Anschluss, Czechoslovakia was surrounded • And with whom France was committed to protect in an alliance!

  19. Czechoslovakia • Hitler’s motive toward Czechoslovakia (CZ) • Hitler considered the very existence of CZ an affront to Germany • Cz was democratic, liberal, & pro-West • It was explicitly created as check on Germanys potential eastern expansion • It was also allied with France & USSR (Germany’s arch enemies) • Finally: 3.5 million ethnic Germans resided in the Sudetenland • What was Hitler’s ultimate aim toward Cz?* • ?_______________ it • Britain’s PM’s position on Sudetenland?* • ?__________ Hitler to avoid war at all costs

  20. Sudetenland- Never Enough! • Sept 12, 1938: Hitler made a provocative speech • Results in ethnic German riots in Sudetenland • Government of Cz declared martial law • Hitler’s intervention appeared imminent • Meanwhile Chamberlain pursued appeasement • Traveled to Berchtesgarten & later accepted Hitler’s demand • Sudetenland was to be surrendered to Hitler w/o a fight • Britain & France then forced Cz government into compliance • The allies even threatened to abandon Czechs if they failed to agree • In reality they already had as Chamberlain prepared to tell Hitler good news • Hitler then declared to a stunned Chamberlain the Sudetenland was not enough and demanded immediate German occupation of CZ • UponChamberlain’sreturn, Britain, France & CZ prepared for war • When Hitler realized the German people were averse to war, he back away from his harsh rhetoric & indicated his readiness for more talks

  21. Munich Conference & Betrayal • Chamberlain surrendered Sudetenland (w/o a shot fired)- Sep 1938) • Leaves Czechs completely defenseless against Germany (from West) • This action represented the pinnacle of Appeasement to Hitler • Upon return from MunichConference, Chamberlain announced: • “I believe it is peace in our time” • Europeans cheered him as a savior- • Wanted peace- it seemed at any price • Then in March 1939: Hitler invaded Prague & rest of Cz • Appropriated Czechoslovakia’s $$$ & industrial resources • Blatant attempt to offset Germany’s domestic distress • Churchill was a lone voice against appeasement and until Hitler’s invasion it was ignored; now he finally started to get through • West finally reacted & begins to rearm (too little too late) • Chamberlain then rashly guaranteed Poland’s independence • Then Germany pulled off major coup with Russia (?) • Non ?_______________ Pactof Aug 1939 • Secret agreements for division of Poland • Allowed Russia to take Baltic states • Significance: free hand in Poland w/o USSR threat

  22. Invasion of Poland • German Order of Battle: • Army Group North (von Bock) • Army Group South (von Rundstedt) • German Battle Plan & execution • Germans strike simultaneous from NW & West, and from the SW • Tactical Objective: overwhelm Polish defenses (and they did) • Poland had limited defense options: • Forced to spread its army out to defend forward to- which was to Germans’ advantage • Impact of Blitzkrieg on Poland: • Polish Army HQ completely overwhelmed & all C2 lost by Sept 7 • Soviets then pile on from the East & the Poles have no where to go • Speed of German conquest of Poland shocked the allies- but it had only just begun • “Phony war” was conducted through the winter • Germany soon seized Denmark & Norway • USSR took Finland, Estonia, Latvia,& Lithuania

  23. Invasion of Poland- Results • Results: German tactical & operational success • Casualties: Poles: 70K KIA, 133K WIA, & 700 POWs • Germans: 11K KIA, 30K WIA, 3400 MIA • Germans conducted rigorous After Action Review • (Down to Regiment level): • Lessons Learned & corrections made: • All units then train to meet set standard at all levels • Reason for German success: • Coherent doctrine & well trained forces w/high morale • Speed, exploitation, effective combined arms, • decentralized C2, & initiative at lowest level of command • Leadership from the front

  24. French Campaign • Following the “phony war” in Scandinavia, Hitler turned Hitler’s gaze turned toward France • Hitler’s political assumptions about allies: • And especially his assessment of Chamberlain? • “They’re all ?_______________” • Key Assumption: without Britain => France will not fight alone • Hitler’s grand strategy- Wehrmacht to launch Fall attack: • Seize low countries & Northern France to Somme • Then conduct Air & Naval attacks on Britain if Brits still resist • Strategic Objective: • Drive Brits out of the war (followed soon after by France) • Hitler wants operations to commence ASAP • OKW caught by surprise without a contingency plan • Focus until now was on Poland invasion

  25. Wehrmacht (OKW) Operational Plan • Outflank Maginot Line to north of “impassible” Ardennes • Bulk of German Army attacks through Holland & Belgium • Smaller force to negotiate way through Ardennes • Cross Meuse just to North of Sedan into Eastern France • Problem: predictable move- why? • Recall von Schlieffen Plan of WWI • NTL OKW still expected tactical surprise • Generals only problem is timing, readiness, & OPSEC • More time needed to upgrade Army’s readiness & prep • Later- OPSEC compromised (A/C crash exposed plan) • Critics of plan proposed reversing OKW attack priorities

  26. Revised Plan • OKW Plan’s Operational Concept reassessed: • Hitler’s instinct & preference for attack on center • Reinforced by alternative plan proposal • FM Manstein – (Army Group-A) & GeneralGuderian (XIX) proposed revised plan: • Attack through “impassible” Ardennes with 3 Panzer Divisions • Then drive across Meuse to NW & flankFrench from the South • Advantage: Armored attack through Ardennes would split allies • OKH’s initial resistance: Plan is too risky & ambitious • Then Hitler steps in • Plan embraced & significantly expanded Revised Plan OKW Plan

  27. French Plan & the Maginot Line • British & French coordinatedstrategy • French to holdMaginot Line (assessment?) • Effectiveness in accomplishing intended objective? • As intended- initially protected most vulnerable & valuable French areas • Alsace & ?_____________ • Br/Fr combined forces to advance into Belgium (ala 1914) • Aim: Stop expected German move around allied LF • Few forces stationed along Ardennes (why- assumption?)

  28. French Operational Concept • France prepared to fight a rigid highly centralized battle • General Gamelin failed to understand OPTEMPO of mechanized forces • Worse: deployed his 10th Army (his only Operational reserve) to the North • Ordered to link up with Belgium forces to protect alliedLeft Flank • Significance of this move? Nothing left to plug into ?_____________if attacked

  29. Operational & Tactical Objectives • Army Group B tasked to fix French & BEF in the North: • Reinforce Allied assumptions • Prevent allied redeployment to center when Group A attacks • Army Group A to conduct main attack once Allies are committed & engaged in the North • Sweep around Allies & cut them off • Army Group Chold French along Maginot Line • Work around garrisons when required & ordered

  30. Battle of France - Execution 10 May 1940 • May 10, 1940: Army Group B’s18th & 6thArmies attack in North • Focuses allied attention to North (as planned) • French & British take the bait • Luftwaffehits key targets: • Attack Airfields, transportation, logistics in Holland & all along western route of advance • Paratroopsseize & secure key bridgeheads & choke points • Attack through Belgium: • Key tactical objective: Eben Emael • Assumed to be impenetrable & critical to Group B’s advance • Spectacular air assault by glidermen (SOF) prevails (examine further)

  31. Eben Emael- Location

  32. Eben Emael- The Fort

  33. Eben Emael- the Aircraft • Large German gliders transported the four assault detachments to their objectives: 3 key bridges & the guns of Fort Eben Emael • Each glider capable of transporting a squadron of 7-8 combat troops & their equipment • Engineer platoon of “Granite” was tasked to destroy Eben Emael’s guns • Stuka Dive bombers provided CAS

  34. The Main Attack Begins • Shortly after Army Group B fixed the allied force commitment in the North • Army Group A attacked • 4th & 12th Armies executed almost exactly as planned • Overcome initial stiff resistance from French ground & air forces blocking Meuse • 3 Panzer Corps finally break through • Cross Meuse and drive NW in giant flanking movement • Key roles played by Reinhardt, Guderian, & Rommel

  35. French Response • As German attack advances, French response is slow, confused, & uncoordinated: • Some French infantry fought bravely • Slow German attack down (but can not stop it) • Many (artillery units) panic • Run after only token resistance • Allied aircraft strike pontoon bridges across Meuse; • Meet severe resistance from Luftwaffe • Both sides suffer high casualties

  36. Loss of Nerve at the Top • Operations appear to go too smoothly • Headquarters command staff becomes overly worried • Kleist orders Guderian too halt: • Concerned left flank potentially exposed • (Just as Moltke was concerned about whom during start of WW1?) • Von Kluck’s 1st Armygetting too far out ahead • Guderian threatens to resign • Rundstedtapproves “reconnaissance in force” advance • German advance continues (HQ element to stay temporarily put) • 7 Armor divisions advance along 40 mile corridor • As Guderian & others press Allies back twd English Channel: • Hitler, OKW, & OKH become panicky once again: • Ordered halt on 23 May: • Panzers considered strategic force => to be used later to attack SW • Goring tells Hitler Luftwaffe can handle rest of attack & seals it

  37. Dunkirk • As BEF (Commanded by General John Gort) retreat toward the Channel’s coast: • Gen Gortinformed London that the BEF may have to redeploy back to England • Situation becoming more desperate by the hour • London orders Flag Officer Dover (Adm Ramsay) to prepare to evacuate BEF & issues Warning Order • Meanwhile French High command seemed almost paralyzed (NO Command & control) • Gen Gamelin is replaced by General Weygand • But it’s too late & he’s too tired to retrieve situation • (Arrived just in from Syria to virtual chaos) • Then things get even worse for French • Germans halt as poor weather gives allies valuable time to establish perimeter for their evacuation • Germans close in to within 1 1/4 mile of coast • Allies withdraw to form pocket around Dunkirk*

  38. Operation Dynamo • London orders Flag Officer Doverto execute evacuation from Dunkirk: • Major logistics redeployment challenge • Pull off historic amphibious op in reverse: • Save 340K Brit & allied troops to include 110K French (2/3 BEF force saved) • Conducted under heavy fire – • Primarily from Luftwaffe • RAF flew 2739 aggressive sorties in defense • French very reluctant to leave: • Desire to conduct counter-attack • (At least in theory) • Ground truth dictates otherwise • Dynamo was successful – even beyond expectations: • But successful evacuations do not win wars

  39. French Collapse • As disaster compounds disaster => • French Premier brings Petain back from Spain • Germans continue rapid advance • Wehrmacht redeploys Panzer divisions to southwest • Objective: Neutralize remaining French forces to the South & East • German forces- numerical advantage: • 119 Divisions (3 Army Groups) vs. • 55 French Divisions • French belatedly modify tactics => • Show stiff resistance- but too little too late • Rommel (7th Panzer) outfights opponents • Captures 100K POWs & 277 guns • Defeated French IX Corps & British 51st Div • Paris falls 14 June 1940 • 16 Jun : Petain assumes power of Vichygovernment • Requests Armistice – begins collaboration with Nazis • Signs surrender in same rail car used by Fochon 11 Nov 1918 to accept Germany’s surrender

  40. Assessment • Germans restored tactical mobility to the battlefield • Illustrated impressively by Blitzkrieg • Swift victories in Poland, Norway, France (1939-40) • German tactical improvement significant: • Based on solid analysis of WWI Lessons Learned • Applied improved weapons technology & tactics (of 1918) • Developed effective doctrine for mobile warfare: • Based on effective integration & employment combining: • Infantry, artillery, aircraft, & tanks • Clear & pervasive doctrine throughout all German combat arms • Common doctrine basic to all branches at the core: • Speed, exploitation, decentralized C2 • Aggressive independent leadership from the front; • Initiative with full knowledge of commander’s intent

  41. Assessment- 2 • Downside also evident: • German hybrid & mismatched military organization: • 80% Army based on WWI equipment • Horse drawn guns, supplies, & baggage=> basic transport • Serious potential supply & logistics problems existed throughout German Army • Germany’s poor logistics systems remained the weak link: • Despite striking early victories, German failed to see its serious logistic problem • This would be deciding factor if war lasted longer than expected

  42. Back-up Slides

  43. Air Warfare- British RAF • Strategic priority & the role of British Air Marshall Hugh Trenchard: • Trenchard’s view of the anticipated impact of strategic bombing on the enemy population? • Devastate enemy’s working class • Impact of working class reactions & demands? • Force government to end war quickly • RAFview of Navy & Army’s role in future wars? • None need not apply

  44. US Air Corps • Compare & contrast US & British views of air role: • Similar with some key exceptions • View of Navy & Army’s role in future wars? • Chief Air Corps spokesmen: BG Billy Mitchell • Utter disdain for Navy & the feeling was mutual • US Air Corps Strategic priority: • Achieve Air power 1st => then Strategic bombing: • US Strategic Bombing Doctrine: • US Target priority(in contrast with RAF? • US:Critical economic nodes vs. cities & population(RAF) • Critical assumptionsrequired to make doctrine valid? • Bombing will have major impact on enemy’s economy: • Assumed enemy $$$ fragile & easily damaged: • Air strikes will force the desired strategic reaction from enemy • Also- Bombers (w/o fighters) can always get through to their targets

  45. German Luftwaffe • Goring& Germany’s production & design problems: • Major problem from the start- incompetence & inefficiency • Had negative impact on strategic bombing doctrine as result • Net Result: more realistic & balanced air doctrine developed: • Influence of experience gained during Spanish Civil War? • Strategic bombing’s effectiveness reassessed • Due to actual Spanish reaction to German strategic bombing • No popular collapse of Spanish population as predicted by theorists • Therefore: Luftwaffe put emphasis more on CASto German Army • (In contrast to RAF & US doctrine of strategic bombing) • Problems hampering Luftwaffe’s support of Army? • Lack of C3 following initial air strike's planned tactical targets • Situation gradually improved as communications technology improved

  46. Naval Warfare- British • Strategic Priority: Command of the Sea • Fight and win a major battle at sea (Alfred T. Mahan) • Emphasis: Big guns & Battle Ships=> victory at sea • SS threat- conclusion about future threat? • No longer the threat it once was - Why? • (Recent invention?) • ASDIC (SONAR) • RAF takes over role & mission of Navy aviation • Brit Naval Air assets (Maritime Patrol craft) acquired • All maritime air patrols flown by RAF (to this day) • RAF pilots wear uniforms with stripes on sleeve (like Navy)

  47. Naval Warfare- Germans • Germany’s assessment about future of SS warfare? • Accept British conclusion about SONAR eliminating SS threat • Also focus on Battleships & big guns • (To their distinct disadvantage) - Why? • Match up between British and Germen Navies? (No contest) • German interest in Naval air power? – Problem? • Goring, service infighting, & potential for Luftwaffe support • German Navy & Luftwaffe at constant loggerheads • Mutual coordinated support between two seriously unlikely • German Navy decides to rely on the big guns of its Battleships • Concludes there’s little hope for air support from Luftwaffe

  48. Naval Warfare- U. S. Navy • Impact ofBilly Mitchell’sattack on Navy Leadership? • Conservative Battleship Admirals decide to developCarrier Air • Result: CV air program becomes a seriously funded Navy project • (Similar reaction of Navy Brass also occurred during 1980s when US Army wanted Navy SEALs to be assigned to newly formed Joint SOF Command) • Objective: dedicated Navy air support of the Fleet • (Air Corps need not apply) • Navy developed own separate air program built around what? • Aircraft Carrier (CV) • Development of Naval Amphibious Doctrine: • In close coordination with USMC • Continued to improve doctrine based on hard lessons during WW2 • Bitter experience at Tarawain particular (and the birth of UDT)

  49. Naval Warfare- U. S. & Japan • US Navy’s defense against submarine threat? • Initially USN failed to fully appreciate or prepare for German U-boat threat • DD& convoy tactics developed (eventually) following steep learning curve at war’s start • Japan: compare & contrast with US Navy’s priorities both wrt SS & Navy Air: • Very similar: (ignored SS& pursued CVAir) • Japan’s CV air pilots would be recognized as the best in the world by start of war • (At right- photos of Japanese CV pilots & A/C prepare to attack Pearl Harbor- 7 Dec 1941)

  50. Scandinavian Campaign (Fall 1939-late June 1940) • Soviet demands for bases & subsequent moves against Baltic republics: • Stalin demands use of bases in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia • All Soviet demands acceded to • Finland resists demands & Stalin invades • Poor Soviet planning, execution, & leadership bungle initial attempts • Fins conduct effective GW on skis • Ultimately Soviet numbers overwhelm Fins who are forced to surrender & accede to Stalin’s demands • Germany’s attack on Denmark & Norway: • German Navy covet Denmark & Norway for their potential strategic value • Denmark executed as planned • Success with it’s attack on Norway is mixed

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