World War 2 was a bad time. It was also a time of bad ideas that turned out to be costly. As seen from the list, 7 out of 10 of the worst ideas were hatched from the mind of Hitler. He truly was a stupid madman. Here are the worst ideas that came about during the war.
(10.)Hitler's Involvement- Hitler removed Guderian (permanately) from combat command after arguing with Hitler over the plans to take Moscow in '41. Hitler removed Guderian, the master of blitzkreig, and perhaps one of Germany's best commanders. Not a smart move on Hitlers part with 4 years left of war.
(9.)Sherman- The Sherman tank was a good tank, but its thin skin and weak gun (early) caused many a crew to perish. Though not a completely bad idea, because the Sherman was very reliable, mechanically, but it just didn't get the protection and firepower it needed.
(8.)Hitler's Involvement- The first operational jet fighter, Me-262, could have been operational months earlier if Hitler hadn't insisted on this weapon being used as a "blitz bomber". The air war over Europe may have been much different if Hitler hadn't intervened.
(7.)Hitler's Involvement- Strategic plans in Russia were being switched between Moscow and Stalingrad as the main objectives which in turn hurt the Germans. Had Hitler concentrated on Moscow, it might have been different.
(6.)Kursk- Going through with the attack on Kursk despite Guderian's objections. The Russians were to well prepared, but the Germans did not take this into consideration.
(5.)Hitler's Involvement- After British bombers hit Berlin in 1940 during the Battle of Britain, Hitler switched targets from RAF airfields and related RAF targets, to London in what is know as the "London Blitz". The RAF was able to recoup during the blitz and build back up. Truly a costly idea.
(4.)Yamato's Fate- Desperate times call for desperate measures, but to have the huge Yamato end its life by beaching itself of Okinawa, using its guns as field artillery just seems idiotic to me.
(3.)World War I Defense- The poor defensive strategy of the old timers in the French (to some extent British) military to stay with the tactics of WWI allowed the Germans to walk all over them with their blitzkreig.
(2.)Invasion of Soviet Union- I know why Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, "lebensraum", or something like that, but to go to war with the mighty Soviet Union in a long drawn out war like they fought is sheer lunacy.
(1.)The Final Solution- Truly the most terrible idea in human history. This atrocity is unparalleled by any other in history. Another one of Hitler's workings. The systematic killing of Jewish people and others is such a horrible thing that it could have only come from Hitler. No other "worst idea" on this list comes close to touching this horendous act.
Operation Market-Garden: another wonderous brainchild of Monty. Pearl Harbor- The Japs planned an excellent attack, but it brought the great American fighting force and industry into the war. The Japanese would eventually have to face the Americans, however, even if Pearl Harbor hadn't taken place.
Battle of the Bulge- Considering the situation the Germans were in, from their viewpoint, it is not the worst idea they could've come up with. However, what did it do for the Germans? Delayed the war a month or so and cost thousands of lives.
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