"The best way to avoid the power of the opponent is to attack their weak points." Sun Tzu (400 BC)

Adolf Hitler knew nothing of the existence and sayings of Sun Tzu. However, during the first seven years of his dictatorial regime in Germany (from 1933 to 1940), he systematically avoided direct confrontation with his powerful opponents while making sure to exploit their weaknesses. His success was indisputable, and everything indicated that nothing could halt his frenzied march towards absolute victory.

However, after 1940, Hitler abandoned the tactic that would have allowed him to dominate. He launched a frontal assault on the mighty Soviet Union, thus giving valuable time for Britain and the United States to build up a gigantic military force and ultimately failed to prevent the Allied forces from crushing war-weakened and vulnerable Germany.

The clash of the Allies with the Germans was the largest military confrontation in history. Nevertheless, the outcome of this confrontation was predetermined due to the fatal mistakes made by Hitler in 1940. By mid-1945, Germany was a fragmented country, and its leader was dead.