Figure 1.--Here we see General and famed Panzer commander Heinz Guderian reviewing Hitler Youth boys on September 12, 1944. He is accompanied by HJ Leader Axmann. The Wehrmacht regarded the HJ as a useful triningv and recruitmen arm. Hitler had made Guderian chief of staff of the army (Chef des Generalstabs des Heeres) (July 1944). This led to a long series of heated disputes with Hitler as to how to handel the disterous hammer blows being inflicted by the Soviets and Western Allies. At the time this photograph was taken, the Sviets had destroyed Army Group Center and the Western Allies had destroyed Army Group West. This meant that the Allies were now on the borders of the Reich. One wonders what must have been on his mind as he visited with these boys. A commander as astuteas Guderian had to know that the War was lost. He also knew about the crimes that haf been committed in Germany's name. We wonder if he pondered on the fate of these boys after the War.

General Heinz Guderian was one of the most innovative and effective commander of World war II. He was the strongest advocate of Blitzkrrieg in the Wehrmacht before World War II. Blitzkrieg was the tactic of comined arms (ground and air attack). Fast motrized armored units with air support would break throuh weak ponts in the opposing defenses and then rampage through rear areas destoying command and control and cutting the front line off from reinforcement and supplies. Blitzkrieg was actually conceived by English tnk proponents, Liddell Hart and J. F. C. Fuller. It was Guderian who was able to put the theories into force. He explained his concepts in Achtung— Panzer!. He impressed Hitler who made him the driving force in building the panzer units and that would bring decisive victories in Poland (September 1939) and France (May 1940). Guderian was also impressive during Barbarossa in the Soviet Union (June 1941). He commanded Panzergruppe 2 which played a key role in the great German victories. Hitler failed to take is advice about keeping focuded on Moscow. In horrible winter conditions Guederrian attempted to envelop Moscow, commanding the southern pincer force. but was stopped by Soviet resistance and the weather. Hitler releaved him from command (December 1941). He never achieved the rank of Field Marshal because of his disputes with Hitler. Hitler was forced to bring him back after the disaster at Stalingrad, but he never received another major combt command. Heated disputes with Hitler finally brought his final dimissal (March 1945).

Family

General Guderian was of Dutch descent. Originally the family name had been Goudriaan. His ancestors went with a group of Dutch (possibly Mennonites) settlers to the swampy area around Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland) to work in the Vistula (Wisla) Delta.

Childhood

Education

Blitzkrieg

General Heinz Guderian was one of the most innovative and effective commander of World war II. He was the strongest advocate of Blitzkrrieg in the Wehrmacht before World War II. Blitzkrieg was the tactic of comined arms (ground and air attack). Fast motrized armored units with air support would break throuh weak ponts in the opposing defenses and then rampage through rear areas destoying command and control and cutting the front line off from reinforcement and supplies. Blitzkrieg was actually conceived by English tnk proponents, Liddell Hart and J. F. C. Fuller. It was Guderian who was able to put the theories into force. He explained his concepts in Achtung—Panzer!.

Hitler

He impressed Hitler who made him the driving force in building the Panzer units and that would bring the NAZIs the starteling victories in the early phase of World War II.

World War II

Guderian's Panzers spearheaded the victories in Poland (September 1939) and France (May 1940). Guderian was also impressive during Barbarossa in the Soviet Union (June 1941). He commanded Panzergruppe 2 which played a key role in the great German victories during Barbarossa. Hitler failed to take is advice about keeping focuded on Moscow. In horrible winter conditions Guederrian attempted to envelop Moscow, commanding the southern pincer force. but was stopped by Soviet resistance and the weather. Hitler releaved him from command (December 1941). He never achieved the rank of Field Marshal because of his disputes with Hitler. Hitler was forced to bring him back after the disaster at Stalingrad, but he never received another major combt command. Heated disputes with Hitler finally brought his final dimissal (March 1945).

Sources

Guderian, Heinz. Achtung-Panzer!.

Created: 12:47 AM 7/16/2007
Last updated: 12:47 AM 7/16/2007