Blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war" in German, was a military strategy used by the Nazi Germany during World War II. It emphasized rapid and coordinated attacks using a combination of tanks, aircraft, and infantry to quickly overwhelm the enemy. The goal was to achieve swift victories and avoid prolonged warfare, which could drain resources and morale. This tactic was first effectively employed in the invasion of Poland in 1939, leading to a quick defeat of Polish forces. Blitzkrieg relied on surprise, speed, and the element of shock, allowing German forces to capture territory and disrupt enemy defenses before they could effectively respond.