Description
The non-aggression act between Germany and Russia prior to WWII created a premeditated attack on the eastern nations of Europe. To carry out these attacks, Hitler created a fighting tactic for his army to use, which was the tactic of Blitzkreig, or lightning war. Using this method, short bursts of heavy attacks destroyed much of Poland and made it vulnerable to Germany's invasion. The first attacks on Poland were bombings, the biggest of which was the bombing of Warsaw. This devastating bomb left the city in ruins, and killed many civilians in a very short amount of time. Many other tactics were used in Germany' s invasions, such as the standoff on the Germany-France border which was followed by a large attack on France by Germany.
10 Best Articles
The Gamble - the author describes the motives and factors that led to Hitler's decision to invade Poland. This was a turning point of the war, and this invasion made the foreign policy of the Nazi party clear to all surrounding nations. It also implemented Hitler's expansionism, and pushed his influence into new countries. This gave him footing to later conquer other countries in Europe and put into work his master plan of exterminating the Jews.
Blitzkreig - The author explains the shock of the allies when first witnessing the Blitzkreig method of warfare. This new method used new technologies and strategies with quick bursts of attack that efficiently destroyed other armies.
REICH 'BLITZKRIEG' IS NOW RULED OUT; French and British Readiness Make 'Lightning' Success of Germans Impossible
This article from 1939 discusses the problems with the Blitzkrieg strategy, as well as how it was used as the war went on. As fighting continued, the blitzkrieg strategy became harder and harder to use, especially as morale dropped among German soldiers.
GERMAN GAINS IN POLAND ADD TO TASK OF ALLIES; BRITISH AIR CHIEF
This article, written seven days into the war, makes basic observations on the German's new strategy of Blitzkrieg, and shows the pros and cons. It describes its effectiveness in destroying different countries' air forces, and the costly death toll of the strategy. It also speaks of the attempted aid given by other countries which was ineffective due to Blitzkrieg.
'BLITZKRIEG' STRATEGY NO NEW GERMAN IDEA; Lightning War Long Classic Tactics for Reich Generals-Poland Particularly Favorable for It, but Not West
This article describes the French inspiration for Blitzkrieg, created by the French war theorist Douhet. He believed that a swift knockout blow from the air force with large casualties. It also details the weakness of the Polish in their use of conventional weapons.
HIGH TOLL OF AERIAL WAR IS BEGINNING TO BE FELT; Polish Fleet Wiped Out and Others Damaged but Replacements Add to The Strength of Combatants
This article details the stability of aerial attacks during the first weeks of the war. This was seen in most countries except for Poland, which suffered extensive damage to it's air force at the start of the war.
FIGHTING IN WEST IMPEDED BY MUD; German 'Blitzkrieg' Is Held Unlikely Since Motorized Units Will Have Trouble
This article shows the faults of the west and their troubles in land combat. It also details the unique effectiveness of blitzkrieg in Poland and the fact that it was hard to create this steady rate of attacks in other countries.
FRANCE EXPECTING REAL TEST OF WAR
This article explains France's weakness in war strategy, and their impuslive nature which led to an extremely hard time fending off the Nazi's from invading.
HOLLAND EXPOSED TO AERIAL ATTACK; Inundation Is Sound Defense on Ground, but Does Not Rule Out Airplane Assaults
This article shows the first instance of Blitzkrieg in Holland, and it's effective nature on the country.
Primary Sources
The Reich Foreign Minister to the German Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Schulenburg)
Ribbentrop, the German foreign minister saw a turning point in the foreign policy of his nation as the rising influence of Russia brought competition of the powers. He wrote a telegram to the German ambassador which was intended to be read to Moltov and Stalin which clarified the non-aggressive relationship of the nations. In the letter, he states that there is no conflict between Germany and Russia, and uses their similar world outlooks to show the way a symbiotic treaty would benefit both nations both politically and economically. He also uses their common enemy in the western nations as a way to show the similarities in their beliefs and intentions.
Nazi Invasion of Poland in 1939
Harrison Forman, an American journalist saw the conflict brewing in Europe and suspected the growing tensions would lead to a war in Eastern Europe. In this photo-set, he documents one of the bombing of Warsaw, one of Germany's first attacks on Poland. This bombing was a turning point in the foreign policy of Hitler as he saw expansion of his rule being a critical factor in maintaining power. The photos depict the destroyed city, as citizens find their homes falling apart, and streets devastated with destruction.
ARMISTICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND OF THE ARMED FORCES AND FRENCH PLENIPOTENTIARIES
Following Germany's invasion of France, an armistice was created with provisions created by Germany. The rules of this agreement were made to effectively maintain German control over the country, and use France's resources to aid Germany's conquest for power. It was agreed that there would be no more fighting between the two nations, and with this agreement, the complete entitlement to rule the area was given to Germany. They decided to take advantage of but not fully deplete France's weaponry, and demobilize France's army during their control. These provisions kept France under their steady control and made sure there was no way for France to resist German rule.
Maps
First Map
The non-aggression act between Germany and Russia prior to WWII created a premeditated attack on the eastern nations of Europe. To carry out these attacks, Hitler created a fighting tactic for his army to use, which was the tactic of Blitzkreig, or lightning war. Using this method, short bursts of heavy attacks destroyed much of Poland and made it vulnerable to Germany's invasion. The first attacks on Poland were bombings, the biggest of which was the bombing of Warsaw. This devastating bomb left the city in ruins, and killed many civilians in a very short amount of time. Many other tactics were used in Germany' s invasions, such as the standoff on the Germany-France border which was followed by a large attack on France by Germany.
10 Best Articles
The Gamble - the author describes the motives and factors that led to Hitler's decision to invade Poland. This was a turning point of the war, and this invasion made the foreign policy of the Nazi party clear to all surrounding nations. It also implemented Hitler's expansionism, and pushed his influence into new countries. This gave him footing to later conquer other countries in Europe and put into work his master plan of exterminating the Jews.
Blitzkreig - The author explains the shock of the allies when first witnessing the Blitzkreig method of warfare. This new method used new technologies and strategies with quick bursts of attack that efficiently destroyed other armies.
REICH 'BLITZKRIEG' IS NOW RULED OUT; French and British Readiness Make 'Lightning' Success of Germans Impossible
This article from 1939 discusses the problems with the Blitzkrieg strategy, as well as how it was used as the war went on. As fighting continued, the blitzkrieg strategy became harder and harder to use, especially as morale dropped among German soldiers.
GERMAN GAINS IN POLAND ADD TO TASK OF ALLIES; BRITISH AIR CHIEF
This article, written seven days into the war, makes basic observations on the German's new strategy of Blitzkrieg, and shows the pros and cons. It describes its effectiveness in destroying different countries' air forces, and the costly death toll of the strategy. It also speaks of the attempted aid given by other countries which was ineffective due to Blitzkrieg.
'BLITZKRIEG' STRATEGY NO NEW GERMAN IDEA; Lightning War Long Classic Tactics for Reich Generals-Poland Particularly Favorable for It, but Not West
This article describes the French inspiration for Blitzkrieg, created by the French war theorist Douhet. He believed that a swift knockout blow from the air force with large casualties. It also details the weakness of the Polish in their use of conventional weapons.
HIGH TOLL OF AERIAL WAR IS BEGINNING TO BE FELT; Polish Fleet Wiped Out and Others Damaged but Replacements Add to The Strength of Combatants
This article details the stability of aerial attacks during the first weeks of the war. This was seen in most countries except for Poland, which suffered extensive damage to it's air force at the start of the war.
FIGHTING IN WEST IMPEDED BY MUD; German 'Blitzkrieg' Is Held Unlikely Since Motorized Units Will Have Trouble
This article shows the faults of the west and their troubles in land combat. It also details the unique effectiveness of blitzkrieg in Poland and the fact that it was hard to create this steady rate of attacks in other countries.
FRANCE EXPECTING REAL TEST OF WAR
This article explains France's weakness in war strategy, and their impuslive nature which led to an extremely hard time fending off the Nazi's from invading.
HOLLAND EXPOSED TO AERIAL ATTACK; Inundation Is Sound Defense on Ground, but Does Not Rule Out Airplane Assaults
This article shows the first instance of Blitzkrieg in Holland, and it's effective nature on the country.
Primary Sources
The Reich Foreign Minister to the German Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Schulenburg)
Ribbentrop, the German foreign minister saw a turning point in the foreign policy of his nation as the rising influence of Russia brought competition of the powers. He wrote a telegram to the German ambassador which was intended to be read to Moltov and Stalin which clarified the non-aggressive relationship of the nations. In the letter, he states that there is no conflict between Germany and Russia, and uses their similar world outlooks to show the way a symbiotic treaty would benefit both nations both politically and economically. He also uses their common enemy in the western nations as a way to show the similarities in their beliefs and intentions.
Nazi Invasion of Poland in 1939
Harrison Forman, an American journalist saw the conflict brewing in Europe and suspected the growing tensions would lead to a war in Eastern Europe. In this photo-set, he documents one of the bombing of Warsaw, one of Germany's first attacks on Poland. This bombing was a turning point in the foreign policy of Hitler as he saw expansion of his rule being a critical factor in maintaining power. The photos depict the destroyed city, as citizens find their homes falling apart, and streets devastated with destruction.
ARMISTICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND OF THE ARMED FORCES AND FRENCH PLENIPOTENTIARIES
Following Germany's invasion of France, an armistice was created with provisions created by Germany. The rules of this agreement were made to effectively maintain German control over the country, and use France's resources to aid Germany's conquest for power. It was agreed that there would be no more fighting between the two nations, and with this agreement, the complete entitlement to rule the area was given to Germany. They decided to take advantage of but not fully deplete France's weaponry, and demobilize France's army during their control. These provisions kept France under their steady control and made sure there was no way for France to resist German rule.
Maps
First Map