Monday, December 01, 2014

WW2 History style links

For something different... my take on WW2 based on the WW2 website - see here:

Overall view:
Major turning point of WW2 - Battle of Moscow. I think if Germany had won the Battle of Stalingrad they would have still lost the war. But if they'd won Moscow they could have won the whole thing.
Biggest mistake of WW2 - Hitler not focusing on getting the Middle Eastern oil fields before invading Russia. If he'd kicked the British out of Egypt and Iran/Iraq, he would have had all the oil he wanted and two places to get at Russia. In the Pacific War - Japan deciding to attack the Western Allies and not Russia.
Best decision of the war - the Allies all pooling goals and operating as allies. Yes, absolutely there were differences but if the Axis had acted in concert half as well we would have been in trouble.
Most over-rated leader of WW2 - Stalin. He gutted the army, formed an alliance with Germany, ignored news of an impending German invasion.

Australian view:
Major turning point of WW2 - Kokoda Track victory - Japanese army stopped from reaching Port Moresby. It's doubtful the Japanese wanted to invade Australia but being in Moresby would have made attacks on Australia a hell of a lot easier.
Biggest mistake of WW2 - Malayan Campaign. Whinge as we might, Australia must take a share of the blame for this.
Most over-rated leader of WW2 - Blamey. Did he ever actually do anything good?
Best leader of WW2 - Morshead for Tobruk,
Best decision of the war - introducing conscription for Australian territories thus ensuring troops in PNG.

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