Why did the United States need a strategy for a two-front war during World War 2?

Answer 1

Because it is a rare situation when adquate troops and armament are available to confront such a situation. To waste forces in a piecemeal manner is a certain way to insure defeat. The concentration of forces is a military maxim that Custer failed to comprehend. Chairman Mao was a master at this, "when they attack, withdraw, when they halt attack". In WWII, the Allies established the Germany first policy. The Pacific was not just a defense, it was a strategic defense. MacArthur and Nimitz didn't always agree on the correct plans and policies for the Pacific War in which they held co-equal command, but they both knew an accepted that the war in Europe had priority.

Answer 2

Because Germany was not able to defeat Great Britain prior to his attack on the Soviet Union. Germany also sent military units to help Italy fight the Greeks, and the British in Greece & North Africa. Hitler failed to convince the Japanese to help him defeat the Soviet Union. Instead Japan's attack on the US brought it into the war, and then Hitler compounded his error and declared war on the United States.

Hitler always had plans to attack the Soviet Union & defeat Stalin. This was in fact his primary war aim. The earlier invasions of Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, Holland, Belgium & Luxemburg were just preliminary steps on that path. Hitler wanted a free hand on the continent before taking on Stalin. Hitler had hoped that the British would let the Germans hold the European continent uncontested, and the British would then mind their own business and end their war with him. The British refused to give-in, and eventually the United States entered the war.

Answer 3

Germany actually fought a three front war in WW 2. Aside from the better known wars in the east and western fronts, Germany's Afrika Korps fought a third front in Northern Africa. Under General Rommel, the Afrika Korps almost reached Cairo, then under the control of England.