World War II Strategy Behind the Fight

1. World War IIStrategy Behind the Fight World War II was started by Germany, who believed they were treated unfairly by the Versailles Treaty. During the economically and politically harsh time that arose after World War I in Germany, Adolf Hitler joined the Nazi party, was voted to control the country, and led them into war. This presentation shows the weapons and how they were used in the war. Introduction and History

2. Small Hand Weapons • They were light, (or relatively so), and shot people • Could be used as clubs at short range or when out of ammo • Pistols like this liberator were used only when one’s rifle or sub-machine gun was not functional any longer

3. Small Mounted Weapons and Heavy Infantry Weapons • Flamethrowers were potent against infantry and some mechanical units • Mounted machine guns fired quickly, but weren’t as mobile as other weapons so they were better for defense • The bazooka fires rockets, making it a good infantry weapon against armored units

4. Artillery Artillery such as this 16” Howitzer were used before a battle to do the following: • Cause disarray and confusion among defenders • Disrupt communications • Generally batter all defenses in the area

5. Tanks • Tanksare powerful weapons against other armor and infantry • They could break through bunkers and other barriers • A tank’s large main cannon could take out buildings carrying troops or snipers

6. Aircraft:Fighters Fighters were small, fast planes that had machine guns, or perhaps missiles or a torpedo • Fighters were support for bombers • Protected ships and buildings from airborne assult

7. Aircraft:Bombers Bombers were slow and clumsy planes which carried large payloads ofexplosives, which were dropped on targets including: • Factories • Structures holding troops • Ships • Cities

8. War In The Oceans • Aircraft Carriers carried fighter and bomber squadrons out to sea • Submarines went below the sea and used torpedoes to sink ships in stealth • Battleships had heavy firepower to fend off air attacks, other ships, and submarines (with barrels of explosives that sunk down and exploded, called depth charges

9. The Battle of Midway Japan gains the upper hand The Yorktown attempts to defend itself from Japanese attack A patrol boat reports in “Many planes heading Midway 320 degrees distant 150 miles!” The Battle of Midway was about to begin • The next day Aichi and Makajima launch torpedo bomber attacks with fighter support on Midway. U.S. loses 17 of 26 planes, although Midway installations took light damage • Over the next two hours Allied attacks are annhialated by Japanese Zekes on CAP, along with anti-aircraft fire. U.S. planes en route to attack Japanese ships The Hiryu Maneuvers from a bombing strike

10. The Battle of MidwayThe Tide Turns • Between 0930 and 1030 Douglas TBD Torpedo bombers attacked Japanese carriers and were nearly wiped out. Enemy fighters were drawn away though. • Enterprise bombers fatally damage the Kaga and Akagi carriers. Meanwhile the Yorktown launches bombers that wreck the Soryu. • 1100: The last surviving Japanese ship Hiryu launches a dive bombing attack that disables the Yorktown and 3 and a half hours later forces its abandonment. • In response, the Enterprise launches a strike that knocks off the Hiryu, ending the immediate battle Since this is a presentation on strategy, it would be prudent to mention the horrible fighting tactic of some Japanese pilots: Kamikazee

11. The Battle of Stalingrad 1942, 250,000 German troops have reached the outskirts of Stalingrad, the battle for this city is just beginning • The German 6th infantry division breaks through Russian defenses with the aid of the 4th Panzer division • Stalin moves the 62nd and 64th 8 miles from the cit • Fighting is now inch by inch, building by building

12. The Battle for StalingradStrategic Genius • The Red Army is clinging to a horseshoe of land, and holding off the German advance • The Axis armies now hold 80% of the city • Stalin takes action, and sends 1 million (that’s right 1,000,000) troops, 1,400 heavy guns, 979 tanks, and 1,350 planes and attacks the German flank, wiping them out • Now the Red Army surrounds the 6th infantry division and starves them into submission, thus ending the battle

13. Operation OverlordThe Beginning of the End • “Operation Overlord” is the name of the allied invasion of Europe. • June 6, 1944 the massive invasion of Normandy began • Paratroops were dropped behind enemy lines to help establish a beach-head • Amphibious tanks are supposed to be supporting, but not 1 lands in the right place to help

14. D-Day Disaster • D-Day was postponed for many days due to weather • Almost everything went wrong: there was no armor on the beach, most of the paratroops were dropped in the wrong place in some cases even 20 miles away from the drop zone • The confusion did make the enemy think there were more men than there actually were though • There were heavy casualties for the Allies, but overall D-Day was a success

15. The success of the initial invasion is partly due to the enormous amount of counter-intelligence put out by the allies.

16. The Nuclear Bomb The Nuclear Bomb essentially ended the war. The U.S won the race to make it, and its show of power on Nagasaki and Hiroshima forced the Axis powers into submission.