Tactics and Strategy

What was the most significant strategy? When was it established?

Aug 1914: GB naval blockade: leads to famine in Germany

What advantage had militarism given to Germany at the start of the war? When was this clearly shown?

1. A well-disciplined and trained army

2. Schlieffen Plan success: lack of Allied coordination & communication, only fails due to leadership breakdown & soldiers’ exhaustion

When was the Michael Offensive? How did Germany succeed? What was the significance of Germany’s advancement?

1. March 1918: after Russia left, before US arrival

2. Use of combined forces: stormtroopers + airforce = tactical mastery

3. Largest advancement of the whole war

Why did the Michael offensive not lead to German victory? What does this show?

1. Partly, stormtroopers die, soldiers outrun supply & communication lines

2. But most importantly, soldiers starving – pause to feed selves in French towns

3. SO tactics cannot be decisive, RESOURCES ARE

What were Japan’s early tactical successes? How many Americans casualties were there in war?

1. Against Britain: experience in jungle warfare - Indian Army had 0 experience of this so did poorly.

2. Against USA: tenacity & guerrilla warfare - led to high losses of men and materiel - 1 mill Americans casualties through war

What losses did Japan incur in the Central Pacific Thrust due to their tenacity?

1. 24K of 30K men dead

2. Most experienced pilots lost

3. 600 of 750 aircraft

4. Most aircraft carriers

Why did the US adopt the island-hopping strategy and what did it involve?

1. Due to experience of heavy losses during Guadalcanal: avoid direct conflict with soldiers

2. occupying small islands and cutting off supply routes. Leave areas alone if not necessary to take

What was the significance of Kamikaze pilots?

Most failed to reach targets, whilst expending more valuable materiel = contributes to JA defeat.

Overall significance of strategy? Differences?

• 2nd most significant to both wars

• More in WW2:

  • WW1: only useful tactic is blockade, but DE could have avoided worst effects if resources better organised

  • WW2: for US, vital in conserving materiel and manpower, thereby allowing the SPT & CPT. For Japan, worsens their material disadvantage