Was Blitzkrieg the only reason why the Germans were so successful in the first months of the Second World War?

First artillery and dive-bombers would soften up the enemy. They would attack on the enemies’ front and at vital communication links between headquarters and the front line. This would have the effect of isolating the front line, as they would no longer be able to receive vital supplies or orders. It would also spread confusion among the civilian population, which would hamper any military manoeuvres then attempted. The Blitzkrieg tactics would then concentrate strongly armoured divisions onto the weak points in the front line to punch a hole through the enemy defences. The armoured divisions would then be followed up by ‘motorised infantry’, troops in trucks, who would surround the strong points in the front line, cutting it off from reinforcements. While this was happening paratroopers were busy seizing enemy headquarters, telephone exchanges and bridges. They would then hold out until the armoured divisions would reach them. The use of Blitzkrieg would leave the enemy shocked and surprised. It would have broken up the front line and sent the civilians into retreat. The retreating civilians would then hamper and reinforcements being sent to deal with the German invaders.

During the attack on Poland, Blitzkrieg was a major factor in deciding the german victory. The Poles were just not ready for this sort of speed and precision planning in an attack on their country. The speed and ferocity demoralised the Poles and took them by surprise. When they finally organised their defences they found that the germans technology was far in advance of their own and that cavalry charges were of no use against the