’s Downfall Essay, Research Paper
the fact that Germany was in the hands of a mad man and that he was taking her down to disaster (206). The German people in the hands of Hitler saw disaster coming their way. Hitler made many mistakes during World War II, starting with his invasion of Poland. At first Hitler guaranteed his people he would not invade Poland, but after returning to Germany he both attacked and invaded Poland. Next on Hitler s agenda, invade Britain. Hitler had underestimated Britain and their military power when fighting for their country. Germany attacked Britain thinking it would be as easy as any other attack. Hitler sent another section of his army to invade Russia. Hitler s generals warned him not to split his army into two different places at once, but Hitler did not listen, causing another fault for him and his country. Hitler sent his ground troops back to Britain along with fighter planes. The fighter planes could not resist and had to retreat. 2On their way back to Germany the ground troops destroyed everything in their path. Britain, now stronger then ever, attacked Germany by air for the first time. Hitler, astonished, had promised his people that they would never get attacked. Even though Britain did very little damage, Hitler was devastated and embarrassed because he had promised his people protection. At this point Hitler decided to increase the size of his forces hoping to cause enough massive destruction so the British would surrender. Hitler sent aircraft to Britain s capital city, but his plan backfired, calculating a lose of one-quarter of his 400 Luftwaffe aircraft. The air attacks on Britain, temporarily suspended, resumed occasionally throughout the next two years. Winston Churchill, Britain s new Prime Minister, made his intentions perfectly clear through his speeches, Britain will continue to fight. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor resulting in the United States (U.S.) declaring war on Japan. Hitler s involvement with Japan caused Germany to declare war on the U.S. As the war progressed the U.S. and Britain got involved and declared war on Germany. With the U.S. just getting out of war Hitler assumed they lost military strength. Hitler also assumed the U.S. would be to involved with Japan to fight Germany. Hitler s assumptions soon began to change when the U.S. made their first bombing raid on Germany. Attacks continued, the British at night and the U.S. during the day. Throughout the entire war the U.S. supplied Britain with war ammunition. The U.S. had sent enormous amounts of troops to join soldiers preparing for invasions of Germany. With the U.S. and Britain, a total of five divisions headed towards Germany. Hitler s generals tried to persuade him to surrender to the Allied army, Hitler would not hear of it!
3In July 1944, Hitler held a staff meeting at army headquarters in East Prussia to discuss matters of the war. Colonel Klaus von Stauffenberg placed a briefcase containing a time bomb under the conference table and discreetly exited. After a few moments an explosion ripped through the conference room. Much to the amazement of the perpetrator, Hitler survived with minor burns and his right arm temporarily paralyzed. In Hitler s desperation to uncover the responsible party, he arrested and executed 7,000 German officials and military officers of various ranks. As a desperate measure Hitler launched a new rocket on Britain in hopes of claiming victory. As a final ploy Hitler sent a minuet 21-divisions to Belgium to fight a flock of millions. This battle came down in history known as the Battle of the Budge . The life around Hitler seemed as mad as he.Hitler s failing health played a major factor in his decision making throughout World War II. Hitler trusted one doctor more than any other, Dr. Theodor Morell. In the eyes of Hitler, Dr. Morell, an excellent doctor, always treated Hitler fairly, but in the eyes of most people, Dr. Morell came across as a quack. The Master of the Imperial needle (206). Dr. Morell had this nickname because he experimented on Hitler with various injections, which included sulphonamides, dextrose, and hormones. In addition, he also gave Hitler vitamins and minerals. During a meeting with Hitler s generals, a bomb exploded and Hitler needed immediate medical attention. The new doctor, Dr. Eicken, who cared for Hitler, found his tympanic membranes to be broken down. The doctor also found an irritation in the labyrinths of his ears. Dr. Eicken insisted Hitler rest for four weeks. Upon recovery, Hitler returned to his bunker. The conditions and environment fifty feet underground caused Hitler to have major health problem once again. Hitler s 4pre-existing conditions such as pain with headaches and stomach cramps had returned. Hitler also developed an infection of the maxillary sinus and suffered from swollen glands in the neck. Dr. Eicken visited Hitler at his bunker only to discover he had developed lung problems. Dr. Eicken prescribed medication that Hitler needed to take for two years in order for him to fully recover. At this point Dr. Morell started to treat Hitler again. Hitler continued taking prescribed pills, but not as recommended. Dr. Morell also continued other pills and injections as in earlier treatments. In the last two years of Hitler s life speculations reveal he received daily injections estimated at a thousand a year. Due to his daily stress of admitting defeat and medical problems Hitler could no longer function adequately, convincing himself to commit suicide.