Overall German Strategy in World War Two and the Allied Air Offensive

Abstract

This paper examined overall German strategy in World War II in relation to the Allied Air Offensive. Research of primary and secondary sources indicated the initial overall German strategy was based on a one-front war with quick, intensive campaigns initiated by the Germans. Study of sources showed that based on the German experience on the Russian front the German strategy was modified in early 1942 to a one front, attrition strategy. However, German strategy was not modified in response to the initiation of the Allied air offensive. This Allied offensive grew to constitute a second front but German strategy was not adjusted quickly enough to counter-act this offensive. Consequently, research points out the failure of Germany to modify its strategy in light of the Allied air offensive was a major cause of the German defeat in World War II. Contemporary lessons include the possible value in modifying military strategy during a conflict if conditions change.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA397297

Entities

People

  • Joseph C. Schott

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Bombing
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Materials
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Organizations
  • New York
  • Second World War
  • Strategic Bombing
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Library and Information Science/ Studies, Southeast Asia Studies, Bibliography of Vietnam and Lao Studies.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.