Between the wars

The success of Germany’s military in the first two years of World War Two can be attributed to Adolf Hitler’s political stratagems and the overwhelming superiority of German army. Hitler’s ingenious manipulation of the German people and the European powers allowed him to not only build an army, but this highly motivated Werhmact was able to use their modern weapons and tactics to concentrate their forces on only one target at a time. There are several reoccurring themes throughout the first two years of the Second World War. Political ‘bully’ tactics were used boldly and in rapid succession against Germany’s neighboring countries. Hitler would offer peace terms to the targeted country, then launch a lighting attack. This formula would give Germany victory in Austria, Czechloslovakia and Poland. The Warsaw pact, which was essentially a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, was essential to Germany’s quick defeat of the Poles. The Allies failure to react to Hitler’s “Anchuless” movements would play a major role in Germany’s unopposed conquests. If the allies had mobilized their forces earlier Hitler’s victories may have not been so swift. Even when the major fighting had begun, it was quite clear that the allies were soon to feel the full effect of the new Blitzkreig or lighting war. This new type of warfare was essentially the creation of mechanized units and panzer units (tank units), that could cover long distances and stay on the offensive longer than ever thought previously possible.
“… A campaign that revealed the potential of joint operations, and thus represented a paradigm shift in warmaking. German skills interacted with Allied deficiencies in a manner that provided opportunities for bold command decisions: the Germans both took these and could give successful effect to them.”1

Deutschuland Erwache! (Germany Awake)! By the time Hitler eventually assumed power of Germany the state of the German people was already doomed. 1930’s