Blitzkrieg facts for kids
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Blitzkrieg is a German word that means lightning war. It describes a very fast and powerful way of fighting in a war. Imagine a lightning bolt – it's quick and hits hard! That's what Blitzkrieg was like.
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What is Blitzkrieg?
Blitzkrieg was a military tactic used mainly by the German army. It focused on speed and surprise. The idea was to attack so quickly that the enemy couldn't get ready to fight back. This often led to enemies being surrounded and captured easily.
How did Blitzkrieg work?
In a Blitzkrieg attack, armies moved very, very fast. They used lots of tanks, which are strong armored vehicles. They also had help from aircraft, like bombers and fighter planes. These fast-moving forces would rush past slower enemy units. They would either capture them quickly or surround them. Often, the enemy soldiers were caught off guard and couldn't fight properly.
Where was Blitzkrieg used?
The German army used Blitzkrieg during World War II. They used it when they invaded Poland in 1939. They also used it successfully in 1940 during the invasion of France. Later, they used it when they attacked the Soviet Union in 1941.
What was "The Blitz"?
Sometimes, people confuse "Blitzkrieg" with "The Blitz". "The Blitz" was different. It refers to the German bombing of Britain during World War II. This bombing mainly targeted London. Over a million homes were destroyed, and more than 40,000 people died. The Germans hoped these bombings would quickly destroy British factories and lower people's spirits (their happiness and courage). They thought this would make it easier to invade Britain. However, the RAF (Royal Air Force) fought back. They managed to stop "The Blitz" and regain control of the skies over Britain.
How was Blitzkrieg defeated?
Towards the end of World War II, the Allies (the countries fighting against Germany) learned how to stop Blitzkrieg attacks. They did this by attacking the sides of the fast-moving German forces. They used their own reserve forces to hit the attackers from the flanks. This made it harder for the Blitzkrieg tactics to work effectively.
Images for kids
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Ju 87 Bs over Poland, September–October 1939
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British armoured car and motorcycle at the Battle of Megiddo (1918).
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The Ju 87 "Stuka" dive-bomber was used in blitzkrieg operations.
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The Hawker Typhoon, especially when armed with eight RP-3 rockets, posed a threat to German armour and motor vehicles during the Battle of Normandy in 1944.
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In Poland, fast-moving armies encircled Polish forces (blue circles), but not by independent armored operations. Combined tank, artillery, infantry and air forces were used.
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German advances during the Battle of Belgium
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German advances during the Battle of France
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After 1941–42, the Wehrmacht increasingly used armoured formations as a mobile reserve against Allied breakthroughs. The blue arrows depict armoured counter-attacks.
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See also
In Spanish: Guerra relámpago para niños
