“With regard to armored warfare development, many other soldiers contributed such a Guderian.”
Heinz Guderian was the only General to defy Hitler TWICE and live.
When the order came to halt the advance on Dunkirk Guderian kept rolling, calling it a “reconnaissance in force”.
Only when told he would be denied gas and munitions did he stop.
When the Russians counter-attacked from Moscow Guderian wanted to fall back to a better position. He even flew to Hitler’s hq to plead his case.
Hitler denied his request.
Guderian returned to the front and pulled off a series of withdrawals anyway.
Field Marshall Gunther von Kluge, commander of Army Group Center relieved him of command and sent him back to Germany as a reserve pool officer.
In 1943 Hitler decided he needed Guderians expertise and created the office of Inspector of Armored Troops. Guderian was to control the development and production of tanks and mobile artillery and the training of the troops.
He wanted more Panzer IV’s and Panthers but was over ruled by Hitler who was mesmerised by super tanks and huge railway guns.
Guderian very nearly talked Hitler out of authorizing the Kursk offensive, pointing out that the terrain was unfavorable and the Russians had built up a formidable defense.
General Wilhelm Keitel strongly believed the offensive was of great political importance.
Guderian remarked, “How many people do you think even know where Kursk is? It’s a matter of profound indifference to the world whether we hold Kursk or not...”
Guderian ended the war as Chief of Staff of the Army.
He later had a hand in starting the German Defense Force, the precursor of the Bundesweher.
Heinz Guderian was a very intriguing fellow.
Thanks for the interesting post!
OldVirginian, thank you for your excellent post about Gen Heinz Guderian.