Means of Destruction and Technology
In the journal “Hitler, the V-2, and the Battle for Priority, 1939-1943,” Neufeld proposes an argument that contests a common-held notion of the effectiveness of the “Blitzkrieg” strategy in the second world war by the Germans. Neufeld shows that notable weaknesses within the German Army caused a poorly executed “Blitzkrieg,” with the author’s arguments implicating technological innovations existing in war times.
Blitzkrieg Economy According to Neufeld
The accomplishment of the German war economy (blitzkrieg) is undisputed by most historians, although Neufeld challenges it in several ways. First, the author identifies a polycratic or polycentric command system that made battle planning less coherent in the planning and executing phases, which dispels the notion that they strategically performed meticulously, quickly, and in decisive wars (Neufeld 513). Second, the lack of a coherent priority structure and poor procurement system delayed the rocket program, botched the war economy’s mobilization, and resulted in an accelerated war date than initially anticipated by Hitler (Neufeld 513). The inefficiencies in the war economic system led to an ammunition crisis, a cutback on the missile program, and delays in completing the Peenemunde production plant (Neufeld 514). However, Germany’s latter investments garnered the most significant technological breakthrough in the Second World War (Neufeld 538). Therefore, although the blitzkrieg economy achieved great, notable technological achievement, it was significantly affected by various factors, as outlined by Neufeld.
Neufeld’s Argument Relation to technological innovation, class notes, and the Day of Trinity documentary
Neufeld’s Argument exemplifies how technological innovations shape the societies and cultures they form. As such, the munitions development creates the blitzkrieg economy, which sometimes disregards morality in favor of strategic war gains. For example, In the documentary “The Day after Trinity,” the scientists in the film stated that they had grave concerns that the bomb would destroy the atmosphere and doom humanity; the project commenced with technological advances winning over human matters (Else, “The Day After Trinity”) The Day After Trinity. Therefore, technological innovations in a war economy are essential for a society to gain dominance over others, thus necessitating continued advances in munition development.
Works Cited
Else, Jon H. “The Day After Trinity (1981)” YouTube, uploaded by Stirner’s Retrowave, 28 July 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm5fCxXnK7Y
Neufeld, Michael J. “Hitler, the V-2, and the Battle for Priority, 1939-1943.” The Journal of Military History, 1993, pp. 511-583
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