Germany's Resources: 3D Gallery

Aluminum

Aluminum is made by processing bauxite ore. Aluminum was a critical war resource, mostly being used in the production of aircraft. Germany was lacking bauxite ore and the facilities to process it. This was one of the main reasons Germany invaded Yugoslavia after it refused to join the Axis powers, Yugoslavia had rich deposits of bauxite ore. Aluminum was also a factor in the invasion of Norway, as Norwegian refiners were used for the processing of the ore into Aluminum.

Coal

Coal was used to power the factories needed for both military and civilian goods. Coal was one of the few natural resources that the Germans were self- sufficient in. The Ruhr Valley was one of the most abundant coal fields in the world. However Germany didn't have any coal to spare, and once it invaded and controlled other nations, it had to use much of its coal to power the industry of these other nations so it could use them. This leads to coal shortages in Germany and was one of its motivations for invading the Soviet Union who had vast coal fields inside its borders.

Cobalt

Cobalt was used to create military-grade steel. Cobalt ore, however, was only found in a few nations like Turkey and the Soviet Union. In the non-aggression pact that was signed by Germany and the Soviets, the Soviets agreed to give shipments of cobalt to the Germans. However, the Germans feared that the Soviets might stop this trade agreement, so out of fear they invaded the Soviet Union to attempt to seize the cobalt.

Copper

Copper was a major resource needed in the second world war. It was used in motor vehicles, aircraft, and ships. As well as being vital for electronic equipment like radios and radar. Germany needed to import about 70% of its copper before the war, this war mostly from Britan. So when the war began Germany began looking for other sources of copper. The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, as well as Germany's seizure of the copper mines in Yugoslavia, helped fill these needs. Copper proved to be another reason for German expansion.

Iron

Iron was used in the production of steel. Steel was a critical component in most things needed to conduct a war. Sweeden contained major iron fields before the war started about 75% of Sweeden's iron exports were to Germany. When the allies attempted to cut off excess to Sweeden Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. This secured German access to Sweeden and their critical iron ore.

Nickel

Nickel was used for strengthening alloys, most importantly steel. This improved steel was used in tanks and jet engines later in the war. However Germany had no natural nickel and the Allies got theirs from Canada, a source Germany could not reach. Germany's solution to this was the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, which had the Soviets provide Germany some Nickel. Then when Germany invaded the Soviets they helped the Finnish take back their land from the Winter War. In the process of this 'help', they seized control of the Finnish Nickel mines.

Oil

Oil was a critical resource of WW2. It was used to produce fuel that powered every vehicle used in the war. From ships to planes, the combatants of WW2 needed oil. However, like most resources Germany lacked sufficient supplies to meet their own needs during peacetime, so during wartime, shortages would be even worse. Even with German efforts to produce synthetics yielding great results along with Germany taking over Romanian Oil fields; the German Reich was consuming about 25% more Oil then it could produce. These shortfalls were being made up for by shipments from the Soviets. The Nazi leadership, however, feared that the Soviets would one day cut off these shipments. This was another resource that Germany tried to secure when invading the Soviet Union.

Rubber

Rubber was used for small components in almost all war materials. It was used in aircraft, tanks, ships, and more. However, Germany had no natural rubber as 95% of the world's rubber was found in British territory in the Pacific. So Germany had to get their rubber through synthetic means. Unlike most resources, Germany seemed to be able to meet its rubber needs throughout the war.

Tin

Tin was used in the production of bullets. It was also used to can food that was sent to the front line troops. However, Tin was mainly found in Southeast Asia and Latin America; it was also one of the few materials the Soviets did not have so Germany was forced to deal with shortages throughout the war.

Tungsten

Tungsten was used to harden steel for tanks and artillery. The only major European source of Tungsten was in Spain and Portugal. Germany and Britan started a bidding war over the Tungsten and the German war economy could not provide the gold that Portugal demanded the Tungsten. This was one of the few times that the Germans did not invade a nation for a resource that they lacked.

Username:
Password:
Submit Cancel
Not a member? JOIN NOW!

Germany's Resources