Book SummaryThe Second World Wars, by Victor Davis Hanson

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Second World Wars

The Second World War was characterized by the continuous progression and application of new military strategies, tactics, and innovations.

The considerable influence of air power

The transition from initially overvaluing strategic bombing's impact to crafting more effective strategies for air combat, which included both tactical and strategic missions, highlights the vital role that control of the skies played in the Allied forces' triumph.

Hanson suggests that World War II altered the understanding of air combat, initially overvaluing the impact of bombing campaigns from a strategic standpoint, but eventually leading to a nuanced appreciation of the importance of air support in specific battles and resulting in more deliberate approaches to conducting bombing operations. The transformation was driven by advancements in technology, changes in military tactics, strategic necessity shifts, and the extreme circumstances faced during combat. The coalition opposing the Axis force eventually achieved air superiority, a decisive advantage that enabled them to use their aerial warfare skills to disrupt the enemy's logistics, impede production, and significantly contribute to the Axis's ultimate defeat.

Hanson explores the evolution of air warfare tactics, highlighting the early overreliance on strategic bombing and the limitations that came with it. Early proponents of air combat believed that by focusing attacks on the enemy's industrial heart, victory could be achieved by compelling the general population to surrender. In the Battle of Britain, the strategy of the German Luftwaffe's air attacks was designed to diminish the industrial strength of Britain and to erode the spirits of its citizens. Despite causing significant devastation, the Luftwaffe failed to achieve its primary objective. As the conflict continued, the Allied forces adapted by enhancing their aerial assault strategies through the incorporation of advanced technologies such as radar, the introduction of fighter escorts capable of covering great distances, and the improvement of their targeting tactics. Concentrating on air support greatly enhanced the effectiveness of ground operations. The capabilities of ground forces and tanks were greatly augmented by the provision of swift aerial support from fighter-bombers, which also disrupted the enemy's supply chains and impeded their tactical movements.

The advancement of cutting-edge aerial weaponry further emphasized the escalating importance and deadly effectiveness of aerial forces. Napalm, a highly flammable gel, was utilized to devastating effect in city fires, and its deployment was especially prominent in the aerial assaults on Japan under the command of General Curtis LeMay. The introduction of ballistic missiles such as the German V-2 rocket escalated the lethality of air combat, yet it did not change the ultimate outcome of the war. The culmination of these technological advancements was the use of atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hanson suggests that the use of these weapons was crucial because it eliminated the need for a full-scale invasion of Japan, potentially saving millions of lives by ending the conflict sooner.

Advancements in armored warfare technology

The Allies eventually overcame the early German superiority in tank warfare by adopting inventive tactics and fully leveraging their greater industrial manufacturing strengths.

Hanson underscores the evolution of tank warfare during the Second World War, noting the early supremacy of the German military thanks to their innovative tactics and organized methods, yet this superiority was eventually surpassed when the coalition of nations opposing the Axis honed their own combat methods and outpaced them with superior manufacturing strength. The war resulted in considerable progress in the technology of armored combat vehicles, as countries modified their designs based on combat encounters, culminating in a general agreement on a design that balanced attack power, defensive resilience, agility, and reliability.

Hanson delves into the progression of tactics involving armored vehicles, examining both their structural progression and technological enhancements. He emphasizes the German tactic of swift offensive operations, marked by the synchronized use of fast-moving, light armored units backed by air support, which resulted in significant early triumphs against ill-prepared opponents. In the East, the Soviet T-34 tank's emergence forced the Germans to reconsider their strategy, leading to the deployment of the more heavily armored Panther and Tiger tanks. The Germans had superior tank technology but could not manufacture armored vehicles in numbers that matched those of the Allied forces. The United States emphasized the mass production of the Sherman tank, underscoring its reliability and versatility, whereas the British tailored their models to specialized roles such as clearing mines and conducting amphibious assaults.

Hanson emphasizes that the effectiveness of tanks, the skill of the personnel, and the reliability of logistical support were all essential elements in gaining the upper hand in tank battles. Merely possessing superior tanks does not guarantee success; they must be supported with a steady stream of fuel and ammunition, and operated by crews skilled in their use and upkeep. The effectiveness of Germany's formidable tanks and armored vehicles was often reduced by operational limitations. Additionally, the emergence of increasingly potent anti-tank weaponry, such as the German Panzerfaust, rocket launchers, and fighter-bombers, helped to balance the advantages once held by armored vehicles, compelling those who strategized tank warfare to shift from a strategy of rapid maneuvering to engagements that were more stationary and concentrated on attrition, particularly during the confrontations that occurred in the eastern territories after the critical...