What do you think was the FIRST major military turning point in WW2?

Question

My personal opinion is the Battle of Britain.
The Germans wanted total air superiority before a ground invasion. The Luftwaffe was dealt a blow it never recovered from, which in turn, directly affected the blitzkrieg tactics in the USSR.

I'd very much appreciate no Gungho American 'We saved England's a**' comments.
I'm half-American btw.

Answer 1

Most documentaries I have watched on the subject, say that you are right. The advance into radar technology and the brave souls defending their country in those shoddy aircraft turned things around on Hitler. Another thing happening around that same time was anti-submarine tactics and sonar/radar advances on the sea.

While it is true that we didn't jump to your rescue militarily, you were being starved by the German wolfpacks, America lent you destroyers, sold you food, and war supplies even though we were not technically in the war yet. We still lost good sailors trying to help your country.

Answer 2

The Battle of Britain was a major part of the War, but I don't think it was a turning point that would have led to the end of the war. Eventually the Germans would have rebuilt their air force and come back with a vengeance. What were the key moments were Germany attacking Russia and the bombing of Germany's industrial capabilities.

They had to commit the forces that would have been used in operation Sea Lion to waging the spring campaign in the east.

Once Germany had engaged in that conflict it became a proverbial money pit especially since it was managed By Hitler directly who continuously made tactical and strategic mistakes.

Once the resources were committed they could not be recovered, how ever had the war progressed, the stalemate in the east would have allowed German industry to recoup its losses and the air attack on England would have started again.

The combined Allied heavy bombing of Industry was the final nail in the coffin. Even without the allied invasion of Normandy eventually Germany would have suffered a complete collapse of its Industrial capacity and resources and probably would have fallen.

And I am a Gung-Ho American and even I would never say we saved England's ***... maybe we Propped it up a bit =P

Answer 3

I think it would have to be the Battle of Britain. If Britain had been invaded by the Germans, there would have been no second front, no North African Campaign, no Invasion of Italy.

If Britain had been forced to make peace, Japan, Germany & Italy could have combined their strength against Russia.

There is no way the Americans could have stood against the Axis on their own, with Germany leading the world in rocket development.

Dont forget the Germans were working on Nuclear bombs as well.

Answer 4

Battle of Britain of course. The German's invasions suddenly stopped. And the USA wasn't even there.
I agree the US didn't save us, the only reason you joined in was because you yourselves got bombed. Before you got bombed by japan in pearl harbour you didn't care. The US is still like that, they only care about wars that may effect them. Thats why they were worried about the UIC in somalia but didn't care about the civil war in D.R.Congo. Don't know about it then have a look at the facts.
Anyway back to the question. The battle of Britain was a major turning point and the other was D-day. When British and American troops landed in Normandy.

Answer 5

The Battle of Britain was the first major turning point. After that there was no question of Hitler invading Britain, at least for a while. The job from then on was to get Hitler out of France, the rest of Europe and North Africa.

Britain fought the Battle of Britain almost entirely from its own resources, despite the impression often given by Hollywood. Later American help was absolutely vital though in finishing off the war and preventing the UK from starving to death.

Answer 6

Good answer for the European theatre of conflict....how about Japan being unable to conquer China? Germany getting it's butt broken at Stalingrad(as was answered above)? The Battle of Britain certainly helped beat the Nazi war machine insofar as the Brits (as well as Canadians, Poles, Czechs,French and even some expatriate American Blacks) destroyed a big chunk of German air power. It wasn't the aircraft lost that hurt Germany, it was the lose of pilots.And the USA didn't save the UK"s @ss, but the UK was spread mighty thin when We got there.

Answer 7

Either when Hogan blew up the train carrying the heavy water so the Krauts couldn't make an A-Bomb, or the time Hogan and Klink went to Britain so Hogan could attend a top-secret meeting, under the disguise of stealing a P51, but then ditching it in the English Channel. The time Kinch fell in love with the Black Russian chick was pretty pivotal too, up until that point he was taking several hard, longing looks at Carter.

Answer 8

The attack on Pearl Harbor was the turning point.
The somber Japanese Admiral who got that sick feeling in his gut said it best, as all around him cheered the reports of the successful sneak attack, "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant".

I am glad the the US and England are still tight after all these years.
Lord knows you are a tough bunch of resilient and courageous people to have endured and repelled the Nazi's like you did when you where so over matched.
You guys withstood constant attack and dugout and carried on and pulled together while other countries just threw up their hands and bent over with minimal fight. They keep company at the UN now a days.
In America, I'm am sad to say, we have our own share of defeatists who do not have the stomach to take on the bad guys. These are the ones who dwell on the negative refusing to accent the positive. They enjoy reporting the loss of US troops, hoping to weaken our resolve. There is an age old military truth "Cowardice is contagious".

Time and space my friend, ponder this, if you had enough of America's current defeatist amidst the brave British citizens who endured the Nazi bombings of WWII you might be eating a steady diet of wiener schnitzel and sour kraut today!

Answer 9

I think your correct and considering that the americans didnt join the war until 1941 I fail to see how they saved our @rse's, the battle of britain was well and truly done by 1941. The americans helped us with supplying hardware though. The next turning point was when they tried to attack USSR, that was a huge mistake and the winter certainly dealt the Nazis a blow they couldnt get over, they were now going well and truely backwards

Answer 10

Stalingrad....

Russian sacrifice made defeat of the nazies possible.
Not american sacrifice.

Also a little known fact the Adolf scupperred the development of the first jet fighter (he wanted to turn it into a fighter bomber, as he was massively impressed with the British Mosquito). By trying to load bomb aiming and mounting equipment and holding back the development of the aircraft,(for 2 yeras) it would have given hitler the most potent of weopens.

This would have been up and running in they're thousands - as a fighter for the dday landings.

The alies would have been dog food.