WW2 story: How data analytics and insight changed the course of World War II

WW2 story: How data analytics and insight changed the course of World War II

Sep'1940: Adolf Hitler initiated the bombing of London, known as The Blitz and continued until May 1941.

Jun'1941: Hitler launched the invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa. 

Dec'1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor leading to the United States formally entering World War II the following day.

Nov'1941: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was initially persuaded by his generals, Stalin, and other strategists to adopt a Germany First Strategy by attacking France directly to reach Berlin.

However, Winston Churchill famously presented nine leather-bound volumes of detailed data and intelligence to President Franklin D. Roosevelt to support his argument for Mediterranean First Strategy (North Africa), Operation Torch. These volumes contained extensive information on the strategic importance and feasibility of the North African campaign.

The data highlighted several key points:

>The strategic importance of North Africa.

>The logistical infeasibility of attacking France directly.

>Political considerations that a successful campaign in North Africa would boost public morale in the U.S. and England.

>The need for gaining military experience.

>Supporting the Soviet Union by opening a second front.

The benefit of this strategy was evident as Germany was completely expelled from North Africa in just eight days, with the British and U.S. committing only 100,000 troops. This was in stark contrast to the 1 million troops and the year-long, bloody fight required to reach Berlin after the D-Day landings in June 1944, when Germany was on the verge of loosing. 

Imagine the allied bloodshed and losses if Roosevelt had attacked France and thereby Berlin directly when Germany was at its strongest in 1942. Thankfully, data analytics & insights helped him avoid that!

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Read past stories like above at https://lnkd.in/d9ijze8r