MH-14: Germany ArrestedWWII: Germany Arrested: Strategic OverviewThe ProblemLimits of German ExpansionHitler’s Slow Reaction?_____ Front War- again!Early Success vs. Long Term WeaknessBattle of Britain- lead upHitler’s responseInitial Target PrioritiesGerman Order of BattleTactical ShortfallsBritish Air Defense systemOperational Strategy & Tactics“Aldlertag” & The BlitzStrategic Bombing Lessons LearnedWar in the Med (1941-42)Mediterranean Theater of OperationsHitler’s Actions & Mussolini’s ReactionItaly vs. Britain in North AfricaGermany to the RescueAfrika Corps & the “Desert Fox”Enigma & UltraGermany in the BalkansFall of CreteFrictionBattle of Crete - ExecutionGerman Successes: Libya & Egypt (1941-42)Rommel Continues to PrevailOperation Crusader (11 Nov’41)Recurring Theme- Dynamics of LOCsBritish Retreat to El AlameinSuperior Tactic & Leadership Defeats NumbersOperation BarbarossaConflicting Operational ObjectivesGerman Army WeaknessesSoviet Army WeaknessesOperation Barbarossa- ExecutionProblems EmergeStalin InterferesBattle of Moscow (late Sept 1941)Soviet Counter-AttackLuck Runs OutSituation StabilizesAssessmentAssessment- 2Assessment- 3Back-up SlidesFaulty Intelligence“Aldlertag” - 13 August 1940Slide 51GreeceOperation Typhoon- Execution1MH-14: Germany Arrested2WWII: Germany Arrested:Strategic Overview•Germans restored tactical mobility with Blitzkrieg–Poland, Norway, France (1939-40)•German tactical improvements impressive:–Applied WWI Lessons Learned effectively–1918 Weapons technology & tactics refinements•Made & adapted•Developed effective doctrine for mobile warfare:–Integrated: Infantry, artillery, aircraft, & tanks•Effective combined arms tactics–Innovative tactics & clear common doctrine to all:•Speed, exploitation, decentralized C2;•Aggressive independent leadership from the front;•Initiative with full knowledge of commander’s intent3The Problem•Downside was also evident –(But apparently not to Hitler)•Crossbred & mismatched military organization:–80% of German Army built on WWI equipment•Horse drawn guns, supplies, & baggage–Serious potential supply & logistics problems•German poor logistics systems remained weak link–Striking victories hid ever looming logistics problems•Instead of correcting this problem, what did Germany do?4Limits of German Expansion•Germany tested the limits of its expansion:–Flush w/victory over France, it appeared unbeatable–Everything now seemed possible for the 3rd Reich:•From strictly tactical & operational perspective =>–Hitler may have had some bragging rights =>–But his hubris was setting him up for a fall- why?•From Political & strategic perspective =>–Trouble was just over the horizon–Initial signs should have alerted Hitler & his generals:•(Dunkirk evacuation & Churchill’s firm resolve)–Conclusion to be drawn: ?______ ______ war likely ahead => •and… Germany had better get ready for it - soon5Hitler’s Slow Reaction•Germany should have recognized the signs & their implications:–Should have concluded: time was essential=> –Need to start preparations now: •Exploit industrial resources of West/Central Europe•Address its glaring industrial & logistic shortfalls•Consolidate Germany’s position in Europe•Unfortunately for Germany => Hitler slow to react:–After Battle of Britain failed (w/high costs): =>•(Pilots, 1200 A/C, & expended limited industrial assets)–What did Hitler do instead?6?_____ Front War- again!•Hitler turned German Army East to start a new front!–Operation Barbarossa: –Strategic blunder of the first order - (why?)•(Remember WW1?)•Compounded this mistake by wasted men & material =>–Propping up ?_____________and his 3rd rate army:•Italian troops were poorly trained & led worse!•Tend to retreat or surrender after sharp engagement•The only worst mistake that could be made... he made!–What major strategic blunder was even worse than launching Operation ?________________?–He declared war on the ?_____ ______following Pearl Harbor7Early Success vs. Long Term Weakness•NTL: German tactics & Operational Art proved superior early on:–But Germany was weak in key areas where it counted –•Particularly unprepared for a prolonged war – why?•German strategy and logistics - seriously flawed•In contrast theses areas were a key US strength vs.– Significant weakness for German Army•Several of Hitler’s & his army’s miscalculations about enemy’s resolve were demonstrated in:–Battle of Britain:•“The Blitz,” Churchill, and the “ Never so few…”8Battle of Britain- lead up•Churchill’s role: –Transform Britain from… ? –To Churchill’s determined & inspiring warrior spirit •Royal Navy’s role: –Command of the ?___________ • British resolve –Demonstrated by destruction of French Fleet under Vichy controlChamberlain’s ?__________9Hitler’s response•Hitler’s response to British resolve: –2 related but separate plans:–Luftwaffe’s Air Offensive to be followed by Sea Lion •Assessment Germany’s invasion plan?–?_____________________________________________10Initial Target Priorities•Luftwaffe ‘s initial target priorities:–1. Establish Air ?________________–2. Attack Ground support & Britain’s ?_________ industry–3. Attack RAF in general–4. Conduct ?___________ bombing (cities), and...–5. Protect Sea Lion ?___________ landings•Goering was convinced Luftwaffe could do it all without need of other service–German Navy thus expected no realistic air support from the Luftwaffe –Worse: treated Channel crossing like a simple river crossing- only a little bigger11German Order of Battle •Luftflotte 2nd & 3rd deploy to Calais in northern France –FM Kesselring commands 2600 A/C–Soon assigned more–Comprised main portion of German air striking force•Luftflotte 5 to Norway–(300 A/C)–Long range constrains strikes & makes them vulnerable to Fighters due to tactical shortfalls12Tactical Shortfalls•Key tactical weakness of German Operational strategy:–BF109 – very limited range–BF110 - inferior to British Spitfire•As a result any Luftwaffe missions conducted beyond London had be conducted at night – why? –In order to avoid being intercepted by superior ?___________13British Air Defense system •Status of British Air Defense system?–Effective tactical execution of Brit Air Defense•Key role played by Air