Hitler’s Demise
The Second World War shaped the history of the world and we would do well to remember the lessons it taught us. Approximately fifty million people lost their lives in the devastation it brought, and there were untold injuries and lives changed because of it. However, the Lord God certainly had a hand in influencing the outcome of it.
Following Hitler’s campaign of terror in such countries as Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Netherlands (which he bombed even after they surrendered), he launched his “lightning war” against France. He first destroyed the French air force and then proceeded to obliterate the French ground troops. The British army on the continent was in France and Belgium and had to retreat to Dunkirk. Hitler’s plan was to first deal with the French forces and then to surround and destroy the British army. The French put up a tremendous battle, mostly due to the number of tanks they had, but they were no match for the German air force.
Meanwhile, seeing the plight of the British army, King George VI, a believer in Israel Truth, called the Commonwealth to a day of prayer. The next few days the weather on the continent became so bad it grounded the German air force. Then the English Channel became so calm it allowed even small boats to get across to evacuate the British forces. Approximately 220,000 British soldiers and 118,000 French soldiers were rescued from Dunkirk. Hitler was furious, but was assured by Goering that they would still obliterate the British air force and invade the island. They prepared for the air invasion which the British called the Battle of Britain.
Before the Battle of Britain, Hitler broadcast that the “German sword” was about to strike, but four days after Hitler’s broadcast, Britain had another day of national prayer, requested by the king. The result was the defeat of the German air force, which lost twice as many airplanes as the British, despite the more experienced German pilots, who were veterans of the campaigns in Europe. The British had adapted radar to military use, even though its inventor had intended it for monitoring weather patterns.
Hitler did not give up on the idea of destroying Britain. He believed he could bomb them into submission. For months there were night bombing raids over British cities, known as the Blitz. The British sent their children to the country, blacked out their windows at night, and many of them slept in the underground. Hitler planned a massive air raid over London for December 29, 1940, with a thousand bombers to destroy the city, but again the weather changed and grounded the German air force.
In the early part of 1941 Hitler knew that the “lightning war” had failed against Britain. He knew that he needed more raw materials and food to supply his forces for a prolonged war and there was only one place to get them – the Soviet Union. We may think the Russian Campaign was the beginning of the end for Hitler but perhaps it was when God intervened at Dunkirk. The British never lost their determination in the difficult year of 1940. They never failed to thank God for each time He saved them from destruction. They had a king who believed in Jesus Christ and churches that encouraged them. The British Israel movement was strong at the time and told the people that Britain would never be invaded because it was the “appointed place”. This gave courage to thousands of people.
By the end of 1941, the German forces were having trouble on the Russian front. There had been heavy rains and mud in September and October and in November the temperature suddenly dropped to forty degrees below zero. In December, Hitler’s worst fears were realized when the Americans were launched into the war. At that point he should have surrendered, but perhaps he hoped German scientists would be the first to create a weapon of mass destruction.
We learn from the Second World War that God will save Israel when we call upon Him in the name of Jesus Christ. However, we must abide in Him and have his words in our hearts. Otherwise, we will go into the next great conflict as a Godless people. Therefore, we must keep praying for the spiritual revival of our people and trust in his promises, as recorded in scripture. (References: We Have A Guardian, by W.B. Grant, and the television series “Apocalypse, the Second World War” on the National Geographic Channel.)
