Hitler's Lightning War
After the non-aggression pact was signed between Hitler and Stalin, Hitler had lost all threat from the Soviet Union, and was now able to focus on conquering Poland. Against Poland, Hitler used a new military tactic known as the “Blitzkrieg” (Lightning War), where he would take his enemy by surprise by using both airplanes and tanks along with armed forces. In the case of Poland, Hitler’s Lightning war was successful. On September 1, 1939 German War Planes flew over Poland dropping bombs on the Poles, then mercilessly began bombing the Polish capital Warsaw. During the same time German tanks violently surrounded the borders. Germany had brought over 1.5 million soldiers into this attack. Poland fell and Hitler gained control, and annexed the whole Western half of the country. After Hitler’s attacks on Poland, both the French, and Great Britain declared war on Hitler, sparking the second world war.
Ten Best Articles
1. World
War II Timeline: This article
gives a comprehensive timeline of the events that occurred during World War II.
It focuses particularly of German military actions against the rest of the
countries in Europe. It covers all events from 1939 to 1945. “Germany
invades Poland in a blitzkrieg (lightning war). England and France react by
declaring war on Germany. This begins the European War, which will become World
War II.”
2.
The Outbreak of World
War II: This article
describes Hitler’s campaign to conquer Western Europe, and his military actions
towards the countries. It describes Germany’s invasion of Poland, and other
countries such as Denmark and Norway. The article outlines Hitler’s eventual
plans to extend his Empire from Eastern Europe to the Soviet Union, essentially
conquering the major eastern powers. “For Hitler the war in the west
was a sideshow, a prelude to the building of an empire in eastern Europe and
the Soviet Union.”
3. Invasion of Poland 1939: This article
describes the relationships between Germany and the rest of European countries.
It describes Germany’s agreements with Poland, France, and the Soviet Union;
and how these agreements lead to the invasion of Poland. “The German-Soviet
Pact of
August 1939, which stated that Poland was to be partitioned between the two
powers, enabled Germany to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet
intervention.”
4. No Simple Victory: World War II in Europe, 1939–1945: In this book, Normand Davies focuses on Germany’s military attacks in Eastern Europe which, according to him, was a crucial part of the War. He articulates the actions of the Soviet Union and Germany, arguing that many invasions that were labeled as part of “Hitler’s War” were not so. He focuses on these crimes, and their differentiating causes. “The other is criminality. The former is rarely explored by Western apologists. The latter has been carefully ignored by Soviet apologists.”
5. Katyn: A Crime Without Punishment: This reading explores the crimes that, although performed by Stalin and the Soviet Union, were blamed on the Nazis. The myths surrounding the acts of Nazi’s, actually performed by the Soviet Union, are exposed. The book also analyzes the complex relationship between the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Poland. “For the next forty-seven years successive Soviet government claimed that the Germans were guilty of the Katyn Massacre.”
6. Blitzkrieg (Lightning War): A description in the ‘Holocaust Encyclopedia” about Germany’s use of the military tactic called the ‘Blitzkreig’. Furthermore, it describes Germany’s various military uses of this tactic. It also describes the uses of this tactic by Germany, against the rest of Europe. “…the concentration of offensive weapons (such as tanks, planes, and artillery) along a narrow front.” “Germany successfully used the Blitzkrieg tactic against Poland (attacked in September 1939), Denmark (April 1940), Norway (April 1940), Belgium (May 1940), the Netherlands (May 1940), Luxembourg (May 1940), France (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941), and Greece (April 1941).”
7. Germans invade Poland: The article, written by (History.com), describes the German invasion of Poland. It also outlines Hitler’s envision for the future of Poland, post-war, as well as its rational. “…some 1.5 million German troops invade Poland all along its 1,750-mile border with German-controlled territory. Simultaneously, the German Luftwaffe bombed Polish airfields…”. “To Hitler, the conquest of Poland would bring Lebensraum, or "living space," for the German people. According to his plan, the "racially superior" Germans would colonize the territory and the native Slavs would be enslaved.”
8. This Week In History Nazi Germany invades Poland, WWII Begins: This New York Times article describes Hitler’s rational for the ‘necessary’ invasion of Poland. He intended to convince the German people that the German invasion of Poland would be a necessary measure to protect the safety of their country. Furthermore, he fabricated fake attacks against Germany by Poland. “On August 31, the eve of World War II, Nazi S.S. troops in Polish uniforms staged an attack against a German radio station in Gleiwitz, Germany. The Gleiwitz incident, which was intended to create the appearance of Polish aggression, was used as the pretext for the invasion of Poland.”
9. Blitzkrieg: This article describes both the benefits of the “Blitzkrieg” Military tactic, and its roots in German history. Its development stemmed from a tactic opposing the ones used in WWI. Used by Hitler, it was widely successful in his military expeditions across Europe. “Its successful execution results in short military campaigns, which preserves human lives and limits the expenditure of artillery.” “Conventional wisdom traces blitzkrieg, “lightning war,” to the development in Germany between 1918 and 1939 of a body of doctrine using mobility to prevent repetition of the attritional deadlock of World War I.”
10. Blitzkrieg: This article describes the basis/philosophy behind the workings of the ‘Blitzkrieg’, and its effectiveness when used in battle. It describes the rational behind the attacks, and the reasons of its effectiveness. “Blitzkrieg was based on speed, co-ordination and movement. It was designed to hit hard and move on instantly. Its aim was to create panic amongst the civilian population. A civil population on the move can be absolute havoc for a defending army trying to get its forces to the war front.”
Video and Audio
Blitzkrieg: The German Invasion of Poland 1939 (Restored)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgCWMZaKKUw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgCWMZaKKUw
WWll 1st of september 1939 Invasion of Poland in colour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpYpbiIZDGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpYpbiIZDGw
World War II Blitzkrieg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICr_fHy1Z84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICr_fHy1Z84
Primary Source
1. A New York Times article concerning the German invasion of Poland. (1939)
2. An article describing the tactics and effectiveness behind the "Blitzkrieg" strategy.
3. Proclamation by Adolf Hitler-September 1, 1939: Hitler's address to Poland, describing his reasons for invasion and Polish atrocities towards German citizens. " The German Army will fight the battle for the honour and the vital rights of reborn Germany with hard determination. I expect that every soldier, mindful of the great traditions of eternal German soldiery, will ever remain conscious that he is a representative of the National-Socialist Greater Germany."
Maps of the Lightening War:
1. A map depicting Germany's use of the "Blitzkrieg" tactic in the invasion of Europe and the Soviet Union.
2. A map showing the Invasion of Poland by Soviet Union and German forces.
3. A map showing German military aggressions across Europe.
4. A map showing the military action in the "Barbarossa Operation"; the German invasion of Poland.
5. A map depicting the Soviet Unions invasion of Poland.