What are facts about blitzkreig?

Answer 1

While World War 2 is regarded as the triumph of Allied Forces over the Axis, it is nonetheless important to note that Nazi Germany made great advances during the first three years of the War, conquering the majority of Europe and a large portion of Russia's European territory. Although many people attribute this fact to Germany's preparedness, military modernization and pre-war planning, the real reason lay in the Blitzkrieg military doctrine.

First let us quickly define the term Blitzkrieg. As a direct translation from German, it stands for lightning war.The Blitzkrieg military doctrine was just that - a quick and decisive attack carried out by a large "panzer" (mechanized) attack force, mainly tanks and aircraft, as well as mechanized artillery and infantry for support, which would pierce an enemy's defensive line and quickly exploit it by continuing to attack through this point of weakness before the enemy could respond. Blitzkrieg quickly became the staple military strategy of Nazi Germany in World War 2 after being heavily developed and practiced during the 1930s.

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How it worked

Although tanks are largely regarded as the heart of the blitzkrieg, they were in fact only one component of the strategy. The Blitzkrieg was divided into 3 major components: tanks, infantry & light mechanized forces (such as motorcycles) and airplanes. Each part of Blitzkrieg worked in unison - the airplanes would clear dangerous areas for the tanks, such as artillery and heavy enemy fortifications by bombing, while the tanks themselves would break the enemy's defensive lines, further protected by infantry, while providing protection for it at the same time. The infantry could then exploit the areas broken through by tanks, and continue to follow their path of destruction quickly on foot or by use of various vehicles, ranging from armored cars to motorcycles.

The defenders were also prevented from communication with each other and their superiors, due to the quick destruction or capture of key telephone, telegraph and radio stations either by the advancing infantry forces, air bombings or by paratroopers, who were parachuted into place shortly before the attack would take place. Enemy forces were unable to respond to such a systematic destruction of any possible way of retaliation to Blitzkrieg's push and would eventually find themselves surrounded by a pincer of panzer forces.