What was the One Thing that won WWII?

[johnny]

The Allies learnt well from the Germans.They had Fighter Command on her knees early September 1940 , then threw it away when they changed their attacks from airfields to London.That seemed to be Hitlers problem throughout the war.He always wanted more attacks on London , even when they brought out the Me262 fighter , he insisted on putting bombs on it and ruining the aircraft.Then there is his wasteful V1 and V2 programme.It just used up valuable resources and manpower that could have gone to fighters to defend Germany.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but what an amazing way to "waste" their resorces, the V2 was amazing..............

 

[Lightning Guy]

If the Germans had managed to develop the intended nuclear warhead for the V-2 we wouldn't be calling it a waste.

 

[lesofprimus]

Could u have imagined the destruction.... You Brits would be speakin German right now.....

 

[Gemhorse]

I don't think there would've been much left to say at all.....Fortunately, Britain was in the loop about Germany's Nuclear program and Hitler's Dream was sunk by sinking a ship called the 'Hydro' on Lake Tunnsjo in Norway, in Feb. 1944. - They knew as far back as 1940 what was being developed, and because it was 'unbombable', it became a Commando job with some very courageous Norwegian and Swedish Underground help...
- It goes to show just how futuristic Hitler was thinking, the V2 being the world's first ICBM [Inter-continental ballistic missile], which became the terror of the later 'Cold War'....and that came about in the 'lolly-scramble by Russia and the Allies for Hitler's Scientists, as both Forces converged on central Germany leading up to VE Day....
- We've ALL been lucky so far, that no other nut has been allowed to develop Weaponry to that extent........

 

[Lightning Guy]

The V-2 wasn't a true ICBM in that it lacked the range to strike another continent. It was, however, the first IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missle) and the forerunner of modern ICBMs.

 

[Gemhorse]

Yeah, but the rudimentary idea was there, the V1 just chortled along at a lowish altitude, the V2 actually went right up into the whatsitsphere, which puts it into an entirely new-weapon catagory...we are splitting hairs here LG, it was essentially the first ICBM......

 

[plan_D]

The Germans did actually have the worlds first ICBM on the drawing boards. It was designated the A10 and was capable of reaching New York. It was basically a collection of A4 (V2) which would fall away as they ran out of fuel. This being the same system used on space rockets to this day.

 

[johnny]

Thank goodness for Lancasters and B-17s for blasting the nazis before they did do away with all civilization.

 

[plan_D]

It was a lot more than Lancasters and B-17s but I know what you're saying. The problem with World War 2 is that a lot of Germans were not out for what we believe they were.
German General Staff did not even know what Hitler was planning. They were fighting for their Prussia.

I doubt they would have destroyed the world. Plus the fact that even Hitler was trying to discover a compromise with the Western Allies in 1943 but because of Churchill and Roosevelt going for no other than total destruction of Germany. Germany had nothing to lose so they carried on.

 

[johnny]

You got a point.I dont think many of the germans actually supported the nazis when the war started anyway.Am busy reading a book on german U-boats and 99% of the Kapitans hated hitler.

 

[plan_D]

I've just finished reading Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian and Panzer Battles by Maj. Gen. von Mellenthin. They both were fighting for their country and were often ashamed of actions their country commited. The Panzer Leader is especially interesting because there's a lot about how the German General Staff were trying to convince Hitler not to go to Poland.

Hitler didn't trust the German Army so he wasn't going to listen. I'm sure you know that's why the SS was getting more and more power as the war went on.

 

[Lightning Guy]

I do believe many in the German military (especially those on the Eastern Front) were fighting for their homeland. I would like to offer a word of caution, however, when reading these accounts of German officers. How many of them can honestly be expected to come out and say, "I loved Hitler! I was an ardent Nazi! I was fine with murdering the Jews!" In short, I think many of these people may be distancing themselves from Hitler not because of how they felt about him but because of how the world feels about him now.

 

[plan_D]

I do believe the words of Guderian because his attacks on Hitler were about the actual war not the genocide. Guderian was on the Eastern Front, and argued with Hitler on many occasions. One of those instances was about setting up formations for the 400,000 ex-Soviets that wanted to join the German army. Guderian would have much rather had them in the German army, than slaves.

Guderian did not know about the 'Final Solution' until after the war when in an American PoW camp. Being from Prussia Guderian was fighting solely for his country. If you read Panzer Leader you can see that's all he was fighting for. "I'm doing what's best for Germany!" is something that Guderian shouted in Hitlers face when 'discussing' the Eastern front 1944. As you can imagine, that annoyed Hitler somewhat.

PLus the fact, a lot of praise goes to Hitler. There's a whole section describing Hitlers perks and traits.

 

[lesofprimus]

LG brings up a very valid point... And I dont believe for a second that ANY German General Officer didnt know about the Holocost atrocities as they were going on... Thats just plain Bullshizit....

 

[plan_D]

How can you come to that conclusion? Hitler made sure the German General Staff only knew what they needed to know to complete their task. Hitler didn't trust the German Army and was therefore bitter towards them.

The German Army was mostly fighting for Germany.

 

[lesofprimus]

The German Army was mostly fighting for Germany.

I agree 100%....

How can you come to that conclusion?

There such a thing called rumors.... Murmurs from High Command... Whispering on the phone... Many of the General staff were friendly, and kept in touch... Word Spread....

U cannot, and couldnt keep that a secret... The Allies knew about the death camps from prisioners and spys and photo recon.... They choose to keep their mouths shut till it became common knowledge...

 

[Gemhorse]

It was the SS Einsatzgruppen that came behind the advancing forces that commited the atrocities.....some Wehrmacht Generals were in the dark, and if they did catch-on, it was in their own self-preservation to keep shut about it. The SS was an autonomous force answerable only to Himmler and his staff...
As for the Kreigsmarine/Navy, they were of the 'old school' militarily, and didn't like Nazis from the word go......

 

[plan_D]

The Germany Army only saw light with Hitler because he promised an expansion. The Allies did not know about half of the Death Camps until after the war.
The few Generals that did know were executed, or relieved of service if they spoke up.

 

[lesofprimus]

The Allies may have only known about half of em, but they knew what was going on.... And I'm sure, any General in his right mind didnt say anything publicly about the Holocost... But most/some of them knew what was going on....