What were some of the war fighting strategies used by the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II? What were some of the war fighting strategies used by the Allied powers of France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States during World War II? How did new technology and weapons change war fighting strategies? Who were some important military leaders who developed these war fighting strategies?
The Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan employed several war fighting strategies during World War II.
Germany implemented the Blitzkrieg or "lightning war" strategy, which involved the concentrated use of combined arms and rapid movement to break through enemy lines and encircle their forces. This strategy was notably used in the invasions of Poland, France, and the Soviet Union.
Italy primarily focused on amphibious assaults and swift coastal advances. They conducted limited offensives in North Africa and invaded Greece before being pushed back by Allied forces.
Japan pursued an aggressive strategy known as the Pacific Island Hopping. They aimed to secure key strategic islands in the Pacific to establish defensive perimeters and maintain control over their conquered territories.
On the other hand, the Allied powers of France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States employed different strategies to counter the Axis powers.
France and Great Britain initially relied on static defense called the Maginot Line, but after being overrun by Germany, they engaged in a more offensive strategy, conducting air raids and launching amphibious operations to regain territory.
The Soviet Union adopted a strategy of attrition by engaging in large-scale battles and exhausting the German forces. This tactic was employed during the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk, gradually pushing the Germans back towards their homeland.
The United States deployed a strategy called "island hopping" in the Pacific, similar to Japan's strategy. They chose strategic islands to capture and establish airbases from which they launched air attacks and naval operations against Japanese forces.
New technology and weapons significantly changed war fighting strategies during World War II. The advent of tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft carriers, submarines, and decisive advancements in aircraft and naval warfare led to more mobile and flexible operations. This required the development of new tactics and doctrines to exploit these technological advancements effectively.
Several military leaders contributed to the development of these war fighting strategies. Notable Axis leaders include Adolf Hitler, who played a significant role in shaping and approving German military strategies, and General Heinz Guderian, a pioneer of armored warfare and the architect of the Blitzkrieg.
Among the Allied leaders, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, coordinated the overall strategy and planning for the Western Front. General Bernard Montgomery, the British commander, devised successful tactics for the Battle of El Alamein and the Normandy landings. In the Soviet Union, General Georgy Zhukov was instrumental in developing and executing strategies to repel German forces.
It is worth mentioning that this answer provides a brief overview, and many more military leaders and strategies played crucial roles in World War II.