Module 2: Blitzkrieg and Tactics

Blitzkrieg and Tactics

World War II saw the emergence of innovative military tactics that fundamentally changed the nature of warfare, most notably through the use of Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." Germany had lost World War I and thus German military planners knew that if they were forced to fight another war based on trench warfare, they would eventually lose.  And so, German commanders developed new tactics to prevent that from happening.  This strategy emphasized speed and surprise, enabling forces to quickly penetrate enemy defenses and encircle them before they could effectively respond. Central to the Blitzkrieg approach were panzers, or armored tanks, which moved rapidly alongside mechanized infantry, supported by airpower. This combination allowed German forces to exploit weaknesses in enemy lines and secure swift victories, as seen in the early campaigns against Poland and France.

Airpower played a crucial role in these tactics, with dive bombers like the German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka providing direct support to ground forces. The use of air superiority allowed armies to disrupt supply lines, communicate effectively, and target key infrastructure, further enhancing the mobility of ground troops. The Luftwaffe’s ability to coordinate with ground forces was a defining feature of the Blitzkrieg strategy, creating a dynamic battlefield environment that rendered traditional World War I-style tactics, such as static trench warfare, obsolete. This shift in tactics forced opponents to rethink their military strategies in order to adapt to the fast-paced nature of modern warfare.

The response to the Blitzkrieg tactics varied among the Allied powers, many of whom relied on more static defenses like the Maginot Line—a series of fortifications along the French-German border.  Britain and France had won World War I and, thus, saw no reason to change their tactics. Thus, when fast-moving German armies swept into France, the British and French were unable to counter them properly.  The lessons learned from the initial phases of World War II led to a re-evaluation of military doctrine, emphasizing the importance of mobility, coordination, and the integration of airpower with ground operations, shaping the conduct of warfare for the remainder of the conflict.