Blitzkrieg Tactics

The lightning-fast German war strategy used during World War II is commonly referred to by the anglicised term of ‘Blitzkrieg’. A powerful and effective tactic used throughout WWII by German military planners, the concept for this type of warfare was influenced by the British military theorists Major-General John Frederick Charles Fuller and Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart . This lightning war would be fought fully utilizing modern technology; radio equipped tanks supported by mobile artillery, air support and infantry divisions were the key instruments in any Blitzkrieg assault. The use of Blitzkrieg was effective for a multitude of reasons. Ideally, the most vulnerable point of the enemy’s defensive lines would be chosen to assault, and the German spearhead would rush and break through this point. Maximum firepower was maintained throughout the attack. Tanks in mass formations were arrayed and would charge while aerial bombardment inflicted all the necessary damage to enemy defensive lines, allowing for land operations to proceed with minimal resistance. The speed by which the assault would commence and carry through allowed for defensive lines to be smashed even before enemy reserves would be able to counter the attack. The Blitzkrieg involved strict collaboration between infantry, mobile armoured and air forces, and as such, it was a very costly tactic. The economy could support this strategy in the short-run – whenever decisive victories swiftly ensued.

Blitzkrieg would shock, disorient and demoralize enemy forces, furthering their inability to react to the impeding danger. Once the front line was broken, the German spearhead would spread out, secure flank positions, and quickly penetrate the undefended rear position of the en...

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...trength. French tanks were a match for German Panzers; however weaker since they were spread out alongside troops to provide support. Concentrated German armour was much more effective than divided French armour. The French were not able to grasp the German tactic of Blitzkrieg which was used so efficiently against Poland. Due to the French tendency to stubbornly abide with static warfare, the lightning fast German offensive was able to completely outmanoeuvre and overpower the French military. French reconnaissance planes made reports, and King Leopold of Belgium had warned the French High Command of the threat of large German forces moving through the Ardennes Forest, but believing this movement to be a small secondary attack of no great significance, the French High Command had made a grave mistake, allowing Germany to virtually roll into France with open doors .