What is lightning war?

Answer 1

The "Lightning War" was a battle tactic utilized by the German Military during WWII. The German word for this tactic was, "blitzkreig". To keep it simple, the mechanics of this particular tactic involved the mass attack of overwhelming force, from both the land AND the air. This is why, in modern American Football, the act of rushing more defensive players than the offensive line can block, is called a "blitz". === === The concept of highly mobilized actions changed the face of warfare in the 20th century. WW 1 was, in spite of comparatively new technology being available, fought along the lines of warfare that had been in place for over 100 years, with static lines of defense. This thinking probably gave rise to the development of the Maginot Line - -a defensive line of fortifications that the French military thought could not be overcome. And it wasn't -- it was instead flanked, by high-speed mechanized units and, as mentioned above, coordinated air support. Another factor that appeared at this was was a much higher level of communications. In German Panzer squads, at least the squad leader and more often the entire squad, would be equipped with radio communications, which greatly decreases von Clausewitz's "fog of war". Nowadays, most land based military engagements are influenced by the blitzkreig concept, where mobility, command, control, communications, computer systems and intelligence (C4I) are combined in high speed assaults.