Axis Battle Strategies

By: Jeff MillerPaul Pollock

Stephanie Nitschmann

Early Battle Strategies

• Blitzkrieg (1939-1941)- “lightning war”– Nazi war strategy during the early stages of WWII. – Focused on concentrated air, ground, and artillery.– Used speed to break through lines before enemy

could counter– Battle of Britain and Invasion of Poland are

examples of Blitzkrieg warfare

Invasion of Poland

• Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939

• Attacked from North, South and West

• Massive German air campaign was launched

Terror Bombing

• Is a strategy of deliberately bombing civilian targets

• Term became popular near the end of the war• Used aerial bombings to destroy cities • Many Historians don’t like to use this term

Siege of Warsaw

• September 1939• All out German air assault

• 84% of city destroyed• Over 500 tons were dropped on the city

• Germany used every available plane• Used “Terror Bombing” campaign

Siege of Warsaw

Battle of Britain• Name given to air campaign waged by German

Air Force (luftwaffe)• Objective: to gain air superiority over the Royal

Air Force • Date: July 10 – October 13 1940• Location: United Kingdom (airspace)• Strategies: tactics were influenced by their

fighters, launched many free-roving fighter sweeps, tried using small formations of bombers as bait

Battle of Britain

Technology used in WW II

• Ships, vehicles, aircraft, artillery, chemical weapons

• Devices used for navigation and communication

• Chemical medicines and surgery