How did geography effect Hitler's invasions?

Answer 1

For the invasions of Poland, France and Czechoslovakia the Germans were at an advantage because of their mobile warfare doctrine (aka blitzkrieg) and the relatively short distances involved which did not allow their opponents to trade space for time. In Russia since the Red Army was not completely destroyed at the border they had literally over a thousand miles that they could fall back in order to get themselves together. The Germans blitzkrieg could not work over these distances because of the lengthening supply lines and the slowness of their infantry divisions that needed to mop up whatever their armored divisions encircled. In addition as the war bogged down the Russians had time to build up their strength, move industries, etc...(Something France and Poland had no time to do)

AnswerInitially the early invasions allowed Hitler to practice the new blitzkrieg tactics and fine tune them. The whole world was surprised at how quickly countries fell before the Wermacht. Hitler practiced river crossings and small airborne assaults. The limited small actions didn't show the glaring weakness of the Wermacht, that most senior German officers understood, and tried to explain to Hitler. The German Army still had predominitely horsedrawn Logistics and Artillary with most of its regular forces. Most senior officers didn't want to start hostilities until around 1945, so that they would have a chance to modernize their forces. With the initial success of the airborne/glider infantry Hitler saw Crete as a opportunity to capitlize on his paratroopers unique capabilities. Hitler rushed his paratroopers into action, before the division was up to strength. Over 500 Lt. Infantry Mountain troops, were rushed thru jump training and assigned to the 1st German Parachute Division to beef up the division, which was still extremeley short of infantry. The Fallschirmjager still prevailed against superior numbers, sometimes outnumbered 3 or more to one, but still attacking and winning. With the English Channel as a huge deter to the invasion of England, Hitler turned his attention to Russia. The deep interior of Russia proved to far for his horse drawn supply trains and with the English destroying his luftwaffe, Things went from bad to worse. The geography of the Russian planes provided the perfect terrain for armoured warfare.

ANSWER:

ACTUALLY THE GEOG WAS VERY FLAT!

Answer 2

For both Napoleon in the 19th century and Hitler in the 20th, geography was a decisive factor in their military campaigns and defeats. For one thing, both dictators were unable to invade Great Britain because of the ocean-barrier. For another thing, both invaded Russia with confidence, only to have their armies defeated (in part) through the great distances of that country -- and the terrible heat, rain and mud, and wintry cold and snow.