Quote: (10-10-2012 07:10 AM)ElJefe Wrote:
Good points Vicious.
I think in fact this has been a key-factor in Anglo-Saxon victories throughout history.
Niall Ferguson has a very interesting chapter on the killing efficiency of the warring nations in WWI. Germany was far more effective. But US and British manpower and finances, among other things, overpowered them.
Adam Tooze's book (Wages of Destruction) also describes the poor state of the German war economy during WWII. The Germans were simply not that good at bringing their economic power to bear.
If one wanted to sum it up, Germans had a good mastery of tactics, but had an inadequate strategy.
Germany's strategy wasn't bad until Hitler himself started waffling. He is the reason Britain escaped at Dunkirk and he is the reason a full on assault on Moscow was delayed by 2 to 3 months.
There is no doubt that the Wehrmacht is one of, if not the, best armies ever put on the field. The training, tactics, and machines nearly overwhelmed a much more numerous enemy. They just bit off more than they could chew going against Britain ( really a minor player after about 1940), Russia and the USA.
btw-It should be noted that until the Tiger and Panther were introduced the German tanks were generally inferior to their opposition. Especially the T34. And yet the Germans still nearly took Russia. And did obliterate France.( There were never that great of numbers of these tanks on the field as they could not be produced quickly. Mark IV's were always the most numerous tanks for the Germans. A tanks inferior to a Chuchill in firepower.)
That says something as those tanks never hit the battlefield until late 1943. Well after the incredible advances into Russia and overrunning France/Poland/etc....
An American saying the Krauts put the most effective army into the field? Ever?
Yes, I am. But the US still won in the end. A country the size of Ohio has some disadvantages against us. Especially when the 8th air force is bombing the living fuck out of them and Patton is running the same tactics and shoving an armored spear up their ass.
Supplying the Reds simply saved us a whole lot of casualties as they are the ones the wore down the German Army. With supplies from the US.
And yes, I agree with Patton's thoughts at the end of the war. Keep going east. We had the manpower and equipment to prevent there ever being a Cold War. Understandably though, the people at home just wanted the war over.