Total war II: The Second World War
World War II was a result of a prolonged period of stalemate and heated ideological differences between the Western and the Eastern powers [1]. According to chapter eight[2], “World War II in 1939 resulted due to the nations being pushed to the extremities (138). Germany’s General Enrich Ludendorff referred to the war as “The Total War” [3] (139). He described the transition from the ideological differences and traditional conflict theories to a full-blown war. The war was majorly fought by western and eastern powers whose primary interest was to protect their colonial territories in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The different countries that participated in the war had to mobilize material and resources for the war ranging from intellectual, manpower, moral energy, and military supplies.[4] Townshend explains that Germany managed to last longer in the frontline during the war period due to her unique military combat strategy. The decisive battlefield engagements against France and Britain gave her victory, while the defensive war of attrition approach used by the French forces did not yield the desired results (141).[5] Communication among the forces on the battlefield and their command base is key to victory in the war. The German troops recognized the importance of communication and developed radio communication for their soldiers to defeat Britain. Adolf Hitler offered a deal to make peace with Britain on German terms, but Britain did not heed to the call for a treat; instead, Britain embarked on her blockade and bombing tactics (1939). Unfortunately, this decision added more enemies to her list as Italy declared war on Britain and France (141).[6]
World war II was not only fought on land but also in oceans and air. German had proved to be superior in dryland military combat. However, her superiority in military combat was tested when the war was moved from land to the oceans (142). The British realized the weakness of the German forces in navy force and waged a Naval war. British had the second-largest navy force after the American navy (142).[7] Realizing that she could not beat Britain directly, German turned to the colonies of Britain in Asia. German joined the USSR, Japan, and China in fighting for the control of the Asian landmass and the rich petroleum sites in the Middle East. The German army took advantage of the weak political systems and primitivism in Asia to launch annihilating encirclements. Taking over territories in Asia was a significant strategy for German as this would ensure that Germany controlled the considerable supplies of oil to the world. Oil being an essential requirement in any war, gaining the control of significant oil would essentially mean winning the war. [8]
The introduction of war aircraft was a significant revolution in World War II. The aircraft helped to coordinate the land and Naval wars by delivering requirements to soldiers and warn the soldiers of any impending attack by the enemy. Reconnaissance aircraft helped to survey the battled field and provide information that enhanced preparation for the combat. The author gives an example of how the aircraft aided German forces to storm in the Eben Emael fortress in Belgium in the year 1940 and the capture of Crete in May 1941 by German troops. The war was also enhanced by the use of cameras to capture pictures in enemies’ camps, and the images used to interpret the tack ticks of the enemies (149). The author states that “The tide in the anti-submarine war was turned not by the old instruments of sea warfare but by the new generation of weapons, radio, radar, and aircraft” (142). [9]This reflected the influence of technology on the war.
In the period between 1941-1944, Germany held Europe against the will of Britain and the USA. However, since both the USA and Britain had a small army, they adopted the air and sea as their main battlefront against Germany. British applied the indirect root to conquer Italy in North Africa as a strategy to beat Germany (152). [10]
Townshend also explored the mobilization of resources that occurred during world war II (1939 and 1945). Industrial manufacture in most countries was redirected to manufacture war resources. These changes had severe effects on both the economy and the availability of essential resources such as food. The civilians were also recruited to help in expanding the workforce to hasten the manufacture of weaponry. Many new industries (Motor vehicle) that emerged before 1939 were converted to manufacture tankers, and explosives to support the respective countries’ fight in World War II (155). During this war period, only the USA had the industrial capacity to keep up with the increasing demand for war goods and exported most of the goods to other countries. In Germany, Britain, the Soviet Union, and Japan, however, there was a significant reduction in trade, resulting in a shortage of food in these countries. [11]
German-dominated world War II by vesting in the training of their soldiers to win the war against the Western forces. However, the direction of the war was changed when the USA and Britain started engaging their Naval strategies. The second world war combatant forces formed allies to enrich their military powers. Furthermore, countries such as Germany used a strategic approach to shield other countries from vital supplies to win the war.
Notes
3Townshend, Charles. The Oxford History of Modern War. OUP Oxford, 2000.
9Townshend, Charles. The Oxford History of Modern War. OUP Oxford, 2000.
References
Townshend, Charles. The Oxford History of Modern War. OUP Oxford, 2000.
[1] Charles Townshend, The Oxford History of Modern War (OUP Oxford, 2000).
[2], Townshend.
[3] Townshend.
[4] Townshend.
[5] Townshend.
[6] Townshend.
[7] Townshend.
[8] Townshend.
[9] Townshend.
[10] Townshend.
[11] Townshend.