Chapter 5: Defeat of Germany

Question 1

Defeat of a country in a war is a content concept.

(1) Victory for the Allies means ________ outcome during the war.
(2) Defeat for Germany means _________ outcome for Germany during the war.

Answer 1

(1) positive

(2) negative

Question 2

Control of the air is important in a war. Provide 3 reasons why this is important.

Answer 2

(1) Protect merchant shipping from air or naval attacks
(2) Provide cover (protection) for the navy & army from air attack
(3) Bomb enemy cities to disrupt or cripple armament production, destroy communication lines and infrastructure, to cut off access to raw materials
(4) Bomb enemy cities to lower morale and reduce labour force

Question 3

Control of the Atlantic Sea was of utmost importance for the Allies to win the war. Provide 2 reasons why this was important.

Answer 3

(1) Protect merchant shipping from U-boats (German submarine) attacks
(2) Land troops and armaments to attack enemy coastline from the sea (D-Day Landings)

Question 4

Why were merchant ships important in the war in Europe?

Answer 4

Merchant ships

(1) transport military equipment, armaments, war supplies, troops, raw materials from one place to another
(2) supplies will enable Allies to continue fighting the war

Question 5

Why was the Fall of France in June 1940 important for Germany? Provide 2 examples on how Germany use France during the War in Europe.

Answer 5

(1) Gave Germany U-boats bases on the Atlantic coast

(2) Germany started building V-rockets launching sites in northern France

Question 6

Before September 1939, USA was determined not to involve itself in another “European War”. It had adopted a policy of ____________.

Answer 6

Isolationism.

Question 7

USA had also passed a series of Neutrality Acts in 1937. What were these Acts?

Answer 7

(1) Military-related products would not be sold to nations at war.
(2) American ships were also prohibited from transporting any passengers or materials to warring nations.

Question 8

What was the ‘Cash and Carry’ policy implemented by USA in September 1939?

Answer 8

Allowed Britain and France to purchase arms from the USA provided they paid in cash immediately.

Question 9

After the fall of France in June 1940, USA implemented the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941. What was the Lend-Lease Act?

Answer 9

(1) Gave the President authority to send military and non-military goods (food, oil, equipment) to major Allied nations to protect the USA’s interests.
(2) Countries getting help need not pay immediately for the goods.

Question 10

In December 1940, US President Roosevelt appealed to the nation and said that USA must be the ‘great arsenal of democracy’. What ‘Great arsenal of democracy’ means?

Answer 10

main supplier of material for Allied war effort - Protect the free world; world policeman

Question 11

In the Lend-Lease Act implemented in March 1941, what Britain and USSR received from USA respectively?

Answer 11

(1) Britain - US$31.4 billion + 50 old destroyers

(2) USSR - US$11.3 billion

Question 12

USA’s Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 led to the defeat of Germany because Allies (particularly Britain whose resources were almost depleted especially after the B________ of B_____________ (July 1940 – May 1941) were able to receive vital resources to allow them to continue fighting the war with Nazi Germany.

Answer 12

Battle of Britain

Question 13

In March 1941, US President Roosevelt also embarked on rapid rearmament (‘Arsenal of Democracy’ Speech). He expanded and equipped the US Army and Navy.

Provide 2 reasons how rapid rearmament by USA led to the Defeat of Germany.

Answer 13

Rapid rearmament led to the defeat of Germany because

(1) it allowed USA to contribute vast amount of troops and military equipment (convoys for protection of merchant ships in the Atlantic, long-range bombers B-52 to close the Atlantic gap, etc) to help the Allied Powers during WWII.
(2) It contributed to effective combined Allied strategies (e.g. D-Day Landing; Operation Tidal Wave, etc). This helped sustained a long war.

Question 14

Which event in December 1941 triggered USA to be directly involved in the war?

Answer 14

The attack on US naval base stationed at Pearl Harbor by the Japan.

Question 15

Why did Japan launch an attack a pre-emptive (surprise attack) on Pearl Harbor? Provide 2 reasons in chronological order (which came first?). (hint: think of events in from 1937 to 1941)

Answer 15

(1) Japan needed oil to continue its war with China which started in 1937.
(2) USA had embargoed oil when Japan invaded French Indochina in 1940-41.
(3) SEA colonies were vulnerable as the West were fighting in Europe – Japan wanted the resource-rich land of SEA
(4) US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor had the sea and air power to control Asia-Pacific & defend SEA from Japan

Question 16

Why was the Control of the Atlantic Sea, that is, removing German U-Boat threat, important for the Allies? Provide 2 reasons.

Answer 16

(1) Ensure the flow of merchant shipping that so that Britain can keep fighting
(2) (from 1942) Allow the build-up of Allied supplies and equipment in Britain in preparation for the invasion of occupied Europe (starting with a landing in France) – Operation Overlord (to liberate countries that were occupied by Nazi Germany)

Question 17

When did the Allies manage to remove German U-boats threat in the Atlantic Sea?

Answer 17

By the end of May 1943, German naval commander ordered U-Boats to be withdrawn from the North Atlantic convoy routes.

Question 18

What is the ‘Black Pit’ in the Atlantic Sea?

Answer 18

The area beyond aircraft range where many convoys (made up of battleships and merchant ships) suffered heaviest losses.

Allied planes used earlier in the war were short range planes that could not provide air cover all the way across the Atlantic.

Question 19

USA’s involvement in the Battle of Atlantic led to better resources and strategies that led to the defeat of Germany. Provide 4 examples how the Allies managed to remove U-boats threat in the Atlantic.

Answer 19

(1) US provided escort roles for all Allied convoys at sea
(2) US long-range aircraft closed the mid-Atlantic gap
(3) Increased warship production in US led to better escorted convoys
(4) New radar and sonar (ASDIC) technologies helped the Allies find the U-boats
(5) US & British code breakers unlocked German naval code – able to locate and destroy U-boats.
(6) New anti-submarines weapons, “Hedgehog” bombs, helped sink the submarines more effectively.
(7) American-occupied Greenland and Iceland gave Britain bases in mid-Atlantic

Question 20

Allied strategic bombing of German cities & Axis military sites from 1943 – 1945. Which of these sites did they bomb?

Answer 20

synthetic oil plants & oilfields in Germany and in Nazi-occupied territories

Question 21

What was Operation Tidal Wave carried out by the Aliies in August 1943?

Answer 21

The bombing of oil fields around Ploesti, Romania, Hitler’s main source of oil

Question 22

One of Germany’s weaknesses was its over-reliance on oil in order to fuel its industrial economy and power its growing war machine. Provide 2 reasons why Germany had to rely on other sources of oil.

Answer 22

(1) Germany had no oil reserves. Oil production was negligible.
(2) It lacked an empire - like the British - that would give it access to oil overseas.
(3) in the 1930s oil production was dominated by a handful of countries—the United States, which accounted for 50% of global oil production, as well as the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Iran, Indonesia, and Romania.

Question 23

How did the lack of access to oil (because of Allied bombing) lead to the defeat of Germany? Provide 2 reasons.

Answer 23

(1) With lack of supply of oil, German war machine and economy cannot continue fighting in the war.
(2) Loss of oil supply also meant a reduction of air missions – Germany lost control of the air.

Question 24

Allied control of the Air and the Atlantic Sea helped them achieved success against Germany – they launched ‘Operation Overlord’ in June 1944. What was Operation Overlord?

Answer 24

the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe - to liberate (free) countries captured by Nazi Germany during the war.

Question 25

D-Day landings involved huge numbers of personnel and military equipment of which US involvement played a significant role. It was one of the most carefully planned operations in military history.

What was D-Day Landings in June 1944?

Answer 25

Allied landings on the beaches of France to liberate France. It was an amphibious landing (from sea to shore)

Question 26

The combined economic output of Allies & their industrial strength lead to defeat of Germany.

Once the United States and the Soviet Union entered on the Allied side of the war in 1941, the combined economic output of the Allies was approximately twice that of the Axis powers.

Provide 2 reasons why this was an advantage in WWII?

Answer 26

(1) World War II was the most mechanized war in history up to that point.
(2) Troops needed a constant supply of new tanks, guns, airplanes, ships, bombs, and other manufactured goods.
(3) The combined economic & industrial strength of the Allies allowed them to out-produce the Axis Powers and gave them the advantage in the battlefield.

Question 27

USA contributed tremendous resources that aided the Allies during the war. Provide 3 examples of the kind of resources USA contributed during WWII. (hint: think resources and financial aid)

Answer 27

(1) 11 million soldiers into WWII
(2) Spent £84.5 billion
(3) Lend-Lease Act provided US$31.4 billion worth of supplies to Britain & US$11.3 billion worth of supplies to USSR
(4) Increased Allied controlled areas of oil to 2,200 million barrels/year.

Question 28

In August 1940, Churchill said ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few’. Which event was he referring to?

Answer 28

Battle of Britain

Question 29

Operation Sea Lion was scheduled to occur in September 1940. Hitler postponed it indefinitely by 17th September 1940. In order for this operation to be successful, Hitler needed to achieve air superiority over Britain, he needed to defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF).

What was Operation Sea Lion?

Answer 29

the land invasion of the British mainland

Question 30

In August 1940, vast waves of German Luftwaffe launched to achieve air superiority over England by bombing British airfields & installations. British RAF were outnumbered and suffered huge losses.

However, Hitler mistakes meant he failed to achieve air superiority and failed to launch an invasion of British mainland. What were Hitler’s mistakes? Provide 2.

Answer 30

(1) Hitler changed focus of Luftwaffe attacks to bombing of British cities (the Blitz)
(2) Hitler shifted focus from invasion of Britain to an invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941.

Question 31

How did Hitler’s mistake in changing focus from bombing RAF installations to bombing British cities (The Blitz) led to the defeat of Germany?

Answer 31

RAF was able to recover, repair their airfields and radar systems. RAF had control over the air over England. Britain was not occupied by Germany and continued to fight the war against Germany.

Question 32

How did Hitler’s failure to invade Britain and instead shifted his focus to invade the Soviet Union led to the defeat of Germany?

Answer 32

Hitler had to fight a two-front war –

(1) against the British RAF & USA in the West (entered the war in Dec 1941) and
(2) against a reorganized Russian army in the East.

This led to the German forces being overstretched and led to the eventual defeat of Germany.

Question 33

How did The ‘Blitz’ by German Luftwaffe lead to the defeat of Germany?

Answer 33

(1) It boosted the British morale and made them determined to win the war.
(2) The RAF retaliated and Luftwaffe failed to achieve control of the air in Britain.

Question 34

In June 1941, Germany broke the ________-__________ Pact and more than 3 million German troops invaded Soviet territory. This was known as Operation Barbarossa.

Answer 34

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Question 35

Soviet Union’s reorganization of its army led to the defeat of Germany because better strategies from the Soviet generals and fierce resistance from the soldiers led to decisive Soviet victory and destruction of German forces in Stalingrad.

How did Stalin reorganise Soviet army? Provide 2 examples.

Answer 35

(1) Gave competent generals control over the Red Army

(2) Eliminated incompetent generals and retreating or fleeing soldiers

Question 36

Soviet Union’s rebuilding of its economy and military production led to the defeat of Germany because
Soviet industries were protected from German bombing. This ensured the supply of weapons were not disrupted during the war – it allowed Soviet Union to continue fighting in the war.

How did Stalin reorganise the economy? Provide 2 examples.

Answer 36

(1) Moved major industries beyond Ural mountains
(2) Build railway lines to connect these industries to the frontline to keep the troops supplied
(3) All resources were also devoted to military production.

Question 37

When German Luftwaffe bombed this city, Stalin ordered his army ‘Not a step back’ and removed all retreating or fleeing soldiers. The Red Army provided fierce resistance. German 6th Army surrendered in Feb 1943.

Which city was this?

Answer 37

Stalingrad

Question 38

Hitler’s mistakes in USSR led to the eventual defeat of Germany.

Provide 2 examples of his mistakes in USSR.

Answer 38

(1) Hitler diverted German forces to Stalingrad instead of moving southwards to capture important oil fields in the Caucasus (USSR’s main sources of oil)
(2) Hitler declared war on USA when USA entered the war after Japan’s attack Pearl Harbor. Hitler believed USA would be occupied with fighting Japan in the Pacific. USA instead concentrated their troops and efforts in North Africa and Europe.

Question 39

Why did Hitler’s mistake in diverting German forces to invade Stalingrad instead of taking the oil fields in the Caucasus lead to the defeat of Germany? (hint: negative outcome for Germany)

Answer 39

(1) It resulted in Hitler not having enough oil supply to fuel its war machine. This meant German forces cannot fight a long war.
(2) It also did not manage to cut off Soviet’s main sources of oil from the Caucasus. This allowed USSR to continue fighting the war.

Question 40

Why did Hitler’s mistake in declaring war on USA (Dec 1941) while gaining an upper hand against the Soviets lead to the defeat of Germany? (hint: negative outcome for Germany)

Answer 40

Hitler had to fight a two-front war against 2 powerful opponents, USA & USSR – this led to the German forces being overstretched and led to the eventual defeat of Germany.

Question 41

Hitler inappropriately use military funds and resources for his ‘wonder weapons’ that he was obsessed with. Hitler constantly demanded most up-to-date weaponry. Some of these were mass-produced before they were tested on the battlefield. Many of these building sites were bombed by Allied Powers.

Name 2 of such weapons.

Answer 41

(1) V-rockets (‘V’ for Vergeltung-Waffe – ‘Retaliation weapons’)
(2) Heavy, massive tanks (Tiger Tanks) – costly & time-consuming to build

Question 42

Provide 2 reasons how Hitler’s obsession with ‘wonder weapons’ led to the defeat of Germany.

Answer 42

(1) Shortage of proven weapons and essential equipment (such as trucks, infantry vehicles, U-boats and suitable clothing and equipment) – troops were often held back or defeated as a result.
(2) The inappropriate use of funds saw the army not equipped for winter warfare. This delayed the German forces and allowed the Soviet Union to reorganise their army and economy to defeat the German forces.