World War II is the most significant event of the human history. Although it is easy to criticize after the event has taken place, yet there were some major mistakes committed by both the sides in the war. Has these blunders not taken place the course of history might have changed. To follow are some of those events which had a great impact on the outcome of war and then on the political, social and economic landscape of the world in the decades to follow.
1. The Delayed Fall of Italy
The allied forces General Lucas had the opportunity to wipe of f the Germans from Italy at Anzio in 1944. However he misread the situation and probably didn’t have guts to advance further quickly. He instead focused on consolidating his position. The event delayed the war by at least a few months.
2. Reclaiming Philippines
In 1944 General MacArthur unnecessarily invaded Philippines after he lost it in 1942. Just to soothe his ego, the general reclaimed Philippines and in the process prolonged the war by a few months. The place was not of much use to the enemy i.e Japan as it was too far to be used as a military base from which to launch attacks.
3. Trenches Warfare
The French built a Maginot Line on the pattern of World war I. this line forced the Germans to come through Belgium and then attack France. Although attacking Belgium meant declaration of war against England, the strategy of the French for using Maginot Line would just have been enough to slow down Germans in handing an ultimate defeat to the French.
4. Hitler’s Waiver
It was another case of personal preferences. Hitler to the surprise of every one allowed the British and French soldiers to flee to England by ordering his troops to halt the operation at the brink of a sweeping victory over the French in 1940. Had he not allowed this, the British would not have been able to put up a fight against the Italians in Egypt and Libya, a year later.
5. The Largest Land Battle
Hitler launched an unnecessary attack against the Soviets at Kursk in 1943. Although it was not a complete defeat, it cost the Germans the resources which they could have used on other fronts.
6. Air Strikes on London City
The Britain’s Royal Air force was on the brink of catastrophe after the fall of France and bombing of the Germans. In late summer of 1940 the Royal Air force targeted civilians in Berlin. The Germans lost their heads and started bombing the civilian targets in London instead of the Royal Air force, giving the British a chance to recuperate.
7. Hitler’s Biggest Mistake
Probably the biggest mistake committed by Hitler was opening the front against the Soviets at a time when he still had not secured the western front. This resulted in making enemies far outnumbering the Germans in all resources. At Stalingrad in 1942, over half a million army of the Germans was forced to surrender.
8. Most Touted Victory for Japan
In 1941 the famous victory of Pearl Harbor for the Japanese was a cause of a long term defeat. The Japanese failed to destroy the munitions facilities and the aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier was not docked at the time of attack at Pearl Harbor.
9. Mussolini’s Adventurism
In 1940 Italy’s premier was a little selfish in attacking Albania and Greece and then through his colony in Libya he attacked Egypt. He tried to restore the pride of Roman Empire using an incapable and inflated army. When he was on the brink of defeat Hitler had to come for face saving of his ally resulting in depletion of resources for the Nazis from the other fronts, in particular Soviet front.
10. A Humiliating Defeat in Philippines
General Doug’s strategy in securing a scattered area of land turned out to be a lemon. It was not possible to mobilize forces to such a vast and separated area. Although later on he reclaimed Philippines, the defeat in 1942 is considered to America’s biggest military defeat.
