Answer:
The strategy Germany used to conquer France and Poland at the outbreak of World War II was called blitzkrieg.
Explanation:
The blitzkrieg (war-lightning, in German) was a war tactic used by the German army during World War II. It was considered innovative in the initial phase of the war and contributed greatly to the victories won by the Germans.
The blitzkrieg coordinated infantry, aviation and armored raids with great speed and strength, so as to open up enemy lines of defense and surround enemy troops to force their surrender.
In the blitzkrieg, German forces used the "Luftwaffe" to conduct attacks behind opposing lines of defense with the aim of destroying lines of communication and hampering the transmission of orders. In addition, the use of war aviation was important for the defense of air strikes and to promote the destruction of the camps of few opponents.
In this strategy, the German forces chose a focal point in the opposing army, where they would promote constant and alternating attacks between infantry, supported with artillery, and armored attacks. The goal was to open a gap in the opposing defenses. From this breach, the German forces promoted rapid displacements to infiltrate and to separate the enemy forces, being able to surround them from there.
The first use of this strategy occurred in Poland in 1939, when the German army, comprising about 1.5 million soldiers, 3,600 armored vehicles and 1,929 aircraft, crossed the border and started the attack. Poland was expected to be able to withstand the conflict for a few months, but within a little more than 20 days, Germany had conquered the whole country.
The attack on France began on May 10, 1940. On the 4th, German troops marched victoriously in Paris, and around the 25th, France surrendered.
