The significance of allied strategic bombing of Germany during the Second World War can be assessed by its impact upon the German economy, German morale, the advance of technology and its effect on the Eastern front (and foreign affairs). Strategic bombing can be defined as bombing with the goal of undermining the enemy’s ability to respond, by attacking their economy and hindering their morale. Overall bombing was most significant during the later stages of the war (1944-45).
The impact of bombing on German economy increased over time and was the most significant factor because of its direct impact on German morale and war effort. The significance of strategic bombing was limited during the earlier stages of the war (1939-43), firstly, because
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During earlier years of the war (1939-43) strategic bombing was significant to an extent. Firstly, it improved relations with Stalin and repudiated his accusations of ‘bad faith’ and ‘cowardice’ and replaced the idea of a second front during the Moscow Conference (1942). However, it didn’t trigger any German diversion of resources from the eastern front with over half of the German combat aircraft being bombers, who were dealing maximum damage to the Soviets. During the later stages of the war (1943-45) bombing was mostly significant in effecting Eastern front, this can be seen by the increased diversion of resources from eastern front. Due to an increased number of attacks and tactical changes made to attack German Luftwaffe, 2/3 of German fighters were sucked into combat against bombers in order to protect the Reich. This meant there was more force allocated against the allies on the western front and thus less force on the eastern front, thus weakening German opposition there. By the end of 1943, 55,000 anti-aircraft guns including 75% of the 88-mm guns previously and successfully used as anti-tank guns on Eastern front were instead deployed against allied bombing. During 1944, proportion of German combat aircraft that were bombers reduced from 50% to 18%. These diversions in resources weakened German resistance to Red army allowing them to take air superiority. Although due to Germany’s flourishing economy there was never a lack of resource at the eastern front which increased in force. However, diversion of resources certainly hindered growth of forces in the eastern front. To summarise, during the early years of the war, bombing was significant in influencing the eastern front by improving foreign affairs with Stalin, but had little success
Revisionist historians argue that the bombs were not needed to defeat Japan; the bombs were meant to shape the peace by intimidating the Soviets. After analyzing the documents in The Manhattan Project it has become clear that the U.S. used the bombs during WWII not only to defeat the Japanese, but also to intimidate the Soviet Union using the bombs during WWII not only to defeat the Japanese, but also to intimidate the Soviet Union and prove their power to the world. The U.S. knew Japan would surrender soon without the use of a destructive weapon. The Soviet Union definitely had some influence on the military decision made by the American government. As Professor Stoff mentioned in one of his lectures, Churchill believed Stalin was more dangerous than Hitler.
The British were outnumbered 900 fighters to 640 fighters plus the Germans had an additional 1,300 bombers. With these statistics, the Luftwaffe thought that they would have a very easy time defeating the Royal Air Force. Even though the British were outnumbered, they had a few advantages that the Luftwaffe was unaware of. First, they develope...
The United States of America’s use of the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has spurred much debate concerning the necessity, effectiveness, and morality of the decision since August 1945. After assessing a range of arguments about the importance of the atomic bomb in the termination of the Second World War, it can be concluded that the use of the atomic bomb served as the predominant factor in the end of the Second World War, as its use lowered the morale, industrial resources, and military strength of Japan. The Allied decision to use the atomic bomb not only caused irreparable physical damage on two major Japanese cities, but its use also minimized the Japanese will to continue fighting. These two factors along
Tactical changes within both main armies fighting on the Western Front would eventually lead to battlefield success for both sides while leading to an impending victory by the Allies. The Germans on one hand developed the use of combined arms, Stormtroopers. These soldiers while extremely successful also led to a destruction of the German moral and reserves due to high casualty rates. On the other side, the Allies stymied their original failures in tactics by maintaining moral and developing their own tactics. These new tactics included the creeping barrage, difeme en profondeur, and bite and hold. By combing these with a genuine strategy the allies overcame the weakened German Army.
Germany developed a 'night fighter' force to counteract the bomber fleet. They were equipped with an on board radar, which enabled them to locate the bombers in the darkness. The German industry was sub-divided in an attempt to minimise the effectiveness of bombing raids.
The bombings of 1945 by the United States of America on Japan were very controversial events. Many historians believe these acts were aggressive and unnecessary. In addition, analysts argue that the U.S. should have used alternative methods instead of the bomb, but most do not realize the repercussions of these different tactics. On the contrary, the bomb was needed to ease tension quickly and effectively. Ultimately, the bomb proved more effective than any other method, and also proved to be a technique that is sufficient for America’s needs. The effort made by the U.S. to bomb Japan after their disapproval of the Potsdam Declaration was needed to end conflicts in the Pacific because of Japanese resistance, to save American lives, and to portray the U.S. as a nation of power and dominance.
Also, as mentioned earlier, Bomber Command slowed down the increase in German weapons production, and forced the Germans to divert some of its resources to defensive measures, such as Anti-aircraft guns. Bombing of the cities forced the diversion of labour to rebuild the damaged and destroyed buildings, houses, and factories. The Bombing Campaign was also successful in delaying the production of the German's V1s and V2s. Bomber Command also succeeded in boosting British morale, and to a certain extent, lowering the moral of the German civilians. In the war, morale was known to be one of the most important factors.
WWII, one of the bloodiest wars in history. The Germans and the Axis Powers were combating the English and US with the other Allied Powers. From 1939-1945 war raged on in Europe and in the Pacific. In 1939 proposals were made (not approved until later) by the Nazi’s to create two of the most destructive and advanced weapons of the time (Gatland). Thus, the V-1 and V-2 rockets were put into production. The V-1 and V-2 rockets were important to the German’s because they believed that these weapons would give them an extreme advantage in the war, and eventually help them win the war. The development of these rockets were very important to the Nazi’s. These rockets were different and more advanced than any other bomb made before. Also, the developments of these rockets have had long term effects after the war. The V-1 and V-2 were intricate and powerful, making a recipe for destruction.
The Russia territorial expansion definitely played a factor in the dropping of the bomb. The Soviet Union had already taken Poland and many other countries during the war. The Soviets were helping the Chinese with the war against Japan and would later get the railroads in China and Manchuria when Japan completely surrendered. The Americans did not want Russia to get involved in the war against Japan.
Atomic Bomb in World War 2 During World War II the United States government launched a $2 billion project. This project, known as the Manhattan Project, was an effort to produce an atomic bomb. This project was taken on by a group atomic scientists from all over the world.
In contrast, Maier and Selden’s thesis claims the act of dropping the atomic bomb was completely justifiable and not a war crime is the counter argument. Since, both authors address the fact that the world was at war and that aerial bombing was not something new, however, the technology advances were. In addition, their logic is reasonable because at the time of World War II almost everyone was using strategic and tactical aerial bombing, not to mention the Allies wanted to end the war as soon as possible. Thus, the atomic bomb was justifiable, however, it was a war crime. The objective of the tactical bombing was to aim at military targets it achieves its objective, however, killing thousands of lives in the process.
World War II was one of the deadliest military conflicts in history. There were many different battles that took place within this war; some more important than others. World War II began once Germany’s new dictator, Adolf Hitler, decided that he wanted to gain power for Germany and for himself. One of Hitler’s first moves in power was invading Poland on September 1, 1939. Many other countries became involved in this war because of the alliance system. The two sides during this war were the Allies and Axis powers. German, Italy and Japan were on the Axis powers; France, Britain, and the United States were on the Allies. Germany first began with the Blitzkrieg tactic meaning “lightning war”. This tactic is based on speed, surprise and was the most popular tactic. It is set up with military forces based around tanks which are supported by planes and infantry. The Blitzkrieg tactic lead to air wars with airplanes between countries. All of the countries were allowed to participate in the air wars but the four main countries were United States, Japan, Britain, and Germany. During the 1920’s and 1930’s airplanes grew in size and structure giving them more power, and making planes more effective. Planes made it easier to drop bombs, or plan attacks. All of these countries fought over air superiority. Air superiority is the position in which the air force has control over all of the air warfare and air power of the opposing forces. Germany began with air superiority but they lost it when Britain defeated them at the Battle of Britain. Gaining control over the air is a very big advantage because it is easier to plan an attack on an opposing country. All of the countries relied on their aircrafts during this war. The issue about the use of...
...y measure, to bring about a quick end to the aggressive war that Japan had begun. Although Japan refused to give in to unconditional surrender as outlined in the Potsdam Declaration, invasion was out of the question because of the tremendous number of casualties it would cause. The bomb was needed to shock the Japanese militarists, and add weight to the arguments of those who wished to surrender. The bomb gave them an “honorable way out”. The bomb also kept Russia out of the war, preventing post-war complications such as those who had occurred in Europe, and later on in Korea. When all the factors are taken in to consideration, the bomb saved more lives on both sides of the war than it took. The positive implications outweighed the negative. The decisions to drop the bomb, as morally difficult as it have been, made the best of an extremely unattractive situation.
“The atomic bomb certainly is the most powerful of all weapons, but it is conclusively powerful and effective only in the hands of the nation which controls the sky” (Johnson 1). Throughout World War II, the war was in pieces. The Germans were almost at world domination along with their allies, the Italians and Japanese. The Japanese and United states had remained at combat with each other since the bombarding of the Pearl Harbor ("U.S. Drops Atomic Bomb on Japan "1). There was abundant controversy as to whether the United States should have used the atomic bombs or not. There were many factors as to the argument relating to the atomic bombs leading to the United States final decision. Many people had arguments for the bombing and others had arguments against the bombings but it is still not determined if the United States made the right decision.
Introduction The development and usage of the first atomic bombs has caused a change in the military, political, and public functionality of the world today. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki revolutionized warfare by killing large masses of civilian population with a single strike. The bombs’ effects from the blast, extreme heat, and radiation left an estimated 140,000 people dead. The bombs created a temporary resolution that led to another conflict.