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Essay on Blitzkrieg: The Phenomena and its history
After the end of the Great War, which later came to be known as the First World War, many nations involved and affected by it started to modernize their militaries. New warfare technologies and weapons were produce in extensive and new tactics introduced. Emotionally tormented and destroyed by their defeat, the Germans, under Adolf Hitler started a massive movement to mobilize its army, navy and air force. Unleashing the combined powers of land and air forces, the Germans brought the concept of Blitzkrieg or Lighting War. Brought into practice in their invasion of Poland (1939) and tested in Spanish Civil War (1936-1938), Blitzkrieg used both communication technologies (i.e. radio) and artillery (i.e. tanks, fighter planes) to effectively penetrate into enemy lines. Admired by both friends and foes Blitzkrieg became a enticing practice during the war.
Suggested by Heinz Guderian, a German army officer, in his pamphlet "Achtung Panzer", Blitzkrieg became a prototype for future military operations. The allies inspired by its effectiveness also applied it to great extent. But the biggest exponent of Blitzkrieg was none other then the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, whose Northern African campaigns relied heavily on the implementation of Blitzkrieg.The concept of Blitzkrieg is based on the movement and communication of land and air forces. To accomplish this the following characteristics have been suggested
- Air force attacks enemy front-line and rear positions, main roads, airfields and communication centers. At the same time infantry attacks on the entire frontline (or at least at main places) and engages enemy. This restrains the enemy from knowing where the main force will attack and makes it impossible to prepare any defenses.
Concentrated tank units breakthrough main lines of defense and advance deeper into enemy territory, while following mechanized units pursuit and engage defenders preventing them from establishing defensive positions......
