Blitzkreig Flashcards
How was Blitzkrieg designed as a military tactic?
Developed by: Nazi Germany (though the concept evolved from ideas of various military theorists)
Meaning: “Lightning War”
Goal: Achieve quick victory, avoid trench warfare of WWI
Method: Utilize speed, surprise, and overwhelming force with combined arms (tanks, aircraft) to break through enemy lines and disrupt their ability to respond effectively.
What are the stages of a Blitzkrieg attack?
Air Power: Bomb enemy airfields, communication centers to disrupt coordination and slow response.
Concentrated Force: Attack a weak point in enemy defenses with maximum force (tanks, motorized infantry).
Rapid Advance: Motorized vehicles and tanks push deep into enemy territory, supported by dive bombers (Stukas) for close air support.
Communication Disruption: Radio communications coordinate the attack and disrupt enemy communication.
Reinforcement and Consolidation: Reinforcements follow to secure captured territory and prevent counterattacks.
What role did Poland play in the development of Blitzkrieg?
Poland was the testing ground for Blitzkrieg tactics.
The Wehrmacht used the invasion of Poland to experiment and refine the new warfare methods.
The success in Poland convinced Hitler to use Blitzkrieg in Western Europe.
What was Plan Sichelschnitt, and what was its objective?
Plan Sichelschnitt: The German plan for the invasion of France and the Low Countries.
It was a blueprint for a Blitzkrieg attack.
Objective: To achieve a swift and decisive victory against France.
What were the relative strengths of the German and Allied forces in terms of tanks and artillery?
Tanks: Allies had more tanks (3,000 vs. 2,400 German tanks).
German Advantages: German tanks had better-trained crews and were equipped with radios for better communication.
Artillery: The French had a significant advantage in artillery (11,200 guns vs. 7,700 German guns).
What was the French military strategy before the German invasion, and what was the Maginot Line’s role?
Strategy: France (and Britain) anticipated a defensive war similar to World War I.
Maginot Line: A strong defensive fortification built to protect the French border with Germany. France placed great faith in its strength.
When did Germany launch its attacks against Belgium and Holland, and what tactics did they employ?
Date: May 10th (year not specified in this excerpt, but it’s 1940).
Tactics: Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics, combining tanks, infantry, and artillery to overwhelm defenses.
What was the significance of the battle at Sedan?
A two-day battle at Sedan resulted in a defeat for the French defenders.
This loss was critical, as it opened a path for the Germans to advance further into France. It demonstrated the weakness of the French defense once the Germans had bypassed the Maginot Line.
How did the German forces bypass the Maginot Line and outflank the Allied forces?
While British and French troops moved into Belgium to counter the initial German attack, German forces invaded France through the Ardennes forests.
This maneuver bypassed the Maginot Line, rendering it strategically irrelevant.
It outflanked the Allied forces who were expecting the main attack further north.
What was the outcome of the German advance to the coast for the Allied forces?
The rapid German advance to the coast trapped Allied forces, including the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force, in the area around Dunkirk.
Rather than attempt a counterattack (which was likely impossible), the decision was made to evacuate the trapped troops.
When did German troops enter Paris, and why was the city declared an “open city”?
German troops entered Paris on June 14th (year not specified in this excerpt, but it’s 1940).
French forces withdrew from Paris the day before.
Paris was declared an “open city” to prevent its destruction in combat. This meant it would not be defended.
How did air warfare evolve during and after WWII, and what was its overall impact?
Rapid changes during and after the war.
Became far more important in deciding the outcome of conflicts.
