Why did the German Army collapse so badly in 1945? - #OOTF #shorts

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[WorldWarTwo]

This question comes from tigertank06 under our video about the allies invading German territory and receiving German surrenders by the thousands. Thanks for the question!

[huntclanhunt]

So to summarize:

In 1918, they surrendered before they collapsed. In 1945 they kept going until the conpletely collapsed.

[scotthill]

There is a flip side to this.
Hitler encouraged and promoted the idea, held by many Germans, that they had not been defeated in 1918. They had signed an “armistice, ” an agreement meant to give them a breathing space while an honorable peace was negotiated. Germany was then “stabbed in the back by Jews and communists, ” at Versailles. Taking no chances on a repeat, the Allies agreed that they would only accept unconditional surrender, in 1945.

[theprofessional]

Hitler would refuse to ever negotiate unless it was on his terms . He called the Kaiser a coward for surrendering but the Kaiser knew if Germany kept fighting their country would be obliterated . That’s why he himself agreed to step down . Hitler was going to sacrifice every last man woman and child then surrender .

[joaquimdantas]

"-- How did you go bankrupt? | -- Well, firstly gradually, then suddenly." (Scott Fitzgerald).

[georgewright]

To quote John Green - it's like falling asleep very slowly then all at once

[dyingember]

I think the more appropriate question here is "How in the hell did they survive until 1945?" I mean, they lost their track as soon as the summer of 1943, it's a miracle they still kicking in 1945.

[chakatfirepaw]

In 1918 the Germans also had the "advantage" of how rapid penetrations of their lines would be slowed down by limitations in transportation and communications. More than one Canadian breakthrough was stopped not by strong resistance but by the thrust itself becoming too disorganized to continue pushing against even limited resistance.

[rogerlevasseur]

So many little details in there, too: Manpower - they were left with young boys and the elderly. Food distribution - food was plentiful for the Germans when they were taking it from occupied countries, but when they were driven out of those occupied areas, less food to go around. lack of fuel.

[KPW]

Something worth remembering: in the autumn of 1918, the German Army was beaten in the field and the prolonged fighting would only lead to collapse.
The Hundred Days offensive was marked by one Allied victory after another, with more and more German soldiers surrendering. There were no reserves, no miracles, no aces in the sleeve for the Germans in the final weeks of the war.
And oh, let's not forget: by late October, Germany was alone on the battlefield, so the strategic situation could only get worse for them, and fast.

[jessedallmann]

They ran out of fuel, factories and men. All at the approximate same time.

[ReneHartmann]

It should also be mentioned that in 1945, large parts of the German army were still holding out at places like northern Italy and the Baltic, so these troops could not be used to defend Germany itself.

[jebbroham]

No fuel had a lot to do with it. Without fuel, supplies can’t move to the lines where they’re needed and without supplies the troops can’t fight.

[johnmccormick]

I’ve not picked up any literature on the topic, but I have to imagine the mind of a German soldier (and civilian) in late 1944 and 1945 was a constant race of thoughts.

[aaronpaul]

Also the german army was collapsing when the armistsce was signed. The hundred days offensive was gaining more ground in a week than was seen in years. The war ended before there was no army left, but it was well on its way to getting there.

[zevfarkas]

The Nazi leadership facing war-crimes charges might have been part of why they didn't surrender.

[oliversherman]

Hitler would never have begun to consider an armistice

[jtremblay]

I think a reason they may have collapsed quickly in 45 is some of the pointless offensives hitler order near the end just consumed such massive resources men and materials.

[larry]

Simple, they ran out of “stuff” and the bosses wouldn’t let them quit. The Allies, mainly from the U.S. had lots of “stuff”.

[robert]

You can be the most powerful country ever. But if you've made enemies with almost the entire world, you're doomed. Have a nice day you all, greetings from Germany