Technologies in Military Operations During World War 2, Term Paper Example

World War 2

This paper posits to respond to the question of how technologies played a decisive role in military operations during World War 2 with examples from land, sea and air operations given to support the argument. Technology had a significant role to play in the determination of World War 2 outcomes with vast part being a development of interwar 1920s to 1930s years. The lessons associated with World War 1 since its beginning, through its development to its end was very significant in these interwar period technology advancements. Majority of technology underwent customization but major developments were notable. Weaponry for example was one of the areas that included ships, the vehicles, the aircraft, artillery development, development in rocketry, small arms development together with biological, chemical, as well as atomic weapons. Developments were also made in logistic support which included the vehicles that were needed for transportation of soldiers together with their supplies. The field of intelligence and communication involved developments of devices relevant in communication, espionage, remote sensing as well as navigation. It was also prudent to address issues of medicine such as surgical innovation, techniques as well as chemical medicine. Industrial development was also crucial whereby technologies applicable in the production and distribution centers of factories played a vital contribution in the war.

The technology used by the enemy was also explored through the use of intelligence by the military operations. There was rapid advancement in technology of military weapons at the time of World War 2. During a span of 6 years, a disorientating degree of combat changes was evident in all areas ranging from small arms to air operations. Most of the armies initially used technologies of World War 1 with little or no modifications but after about six years of the war, majority of the armies had made drastic improvements in their ballistic missiles, atomic weapons as well as jet aircraft.

Land operations

Majority of the vehicles that were visible in battle fields were tanks that spearheaded the armored mechanized warfare. The tanks were associated with impressive firepower along with armor thus qualifying as premier machines for ground warfare fighting. There were however additional lighter vehicles, artillery, trucks, infantry among others that were involved in massive undertakings during the war.

A critical petroleum shortage was however experienced that was needed for the manufacture of liquid fuel. However, this problem was addressed by the technology that was developed by the Germans long time prior to onset of war, where coal was used for the manufacture of synthetic fuel. The factories for the synthesis of fuel were targeted during the war in an oil campaign.

The US added technological innovations to fuel which increased the compression ratios after addition of tetra-ethyl-lead to the ordinary fuel. This development led to an increase in efficiency, increasing the speed as well as the range of movement and reduction in the cooling load.

Sea operations

There were dramatic changes in technology of naval warfare during the Second World War. This was characterized by the emergence of aircraft carriers, premier vessels that carried fleets of naval warfare and the submarines that were associated with high profile capabilities. There were some hindrances in advancements of new ships at the time of the war which was attributed to the protracted period of time required for their production. However, the older vessels underwent retrofitted development with the advancement in war. Advanced types of submarines from German were brought on board but unfortunately no experienced crew was present as they had been lost in war.

The greater part of advancement in shipboard was evidet in anti-submarine warfare which was aimed at updating the technology of Britain in detection as well as destruction of the submarines from the enemy. Sea vessels used in the war were fitted with SONAR, airborne radar and shipboard.

Air operations

Air technology was extremely important in terms of tactical as well as strategic operationsduring the war. Superior aircraft from German that was supported by design as well as technology innovations facilitated the victory of German armies with the assistance of Allied aircraft over Western Europe which lagged behind in their technical as well as design development as a result of their laxity in research investments attributed to the Great Depression. Raid and extensive advancements were done on aircraft to counter aerial combat which employed different types of cockpit airplanes and jetfighters.

There was a dramatic increase in the level of organization as well as coordination in the amphibious attacks that was accompanied by available resources that were imperative in their sustenance. This was the ultimate cause of the planning complexity by magnitude order giving rise to the need for formal systematization.

Conclusion

Comparing the major inventions that have been made in science and mathematics in the past wars, the technological advancements associated with World War 2 of 1939 to 1945 had the most remarkable effects.  Several inventions as well as scientific principles are evident during the war such as the advancement made in rocketry and the great advancements were made in radar