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This is one of the most significant military books of the twentieth century. By an outstanding soldier of independent mind, it pushed forward the evolution of land warfare and was directly responsible for German armoured supremacy in the early years of the Second World War. Published in 1937, the result of 15 years of careful study since his days on the German General Staff in the First World War, Guderian's book argued, quite clearly, how vital the proper use of tanks and supporting armoured vehicles would be in the conduct of a future war. When that war came, just two years later, he proved it, leading his Panzers with distinction in the Polish, French and Russian campaigns. Panzer warfare had come of age, exactly as he had forecast. This first English translation of Heinz Guderian's classic book - used as a textbook by Panzer officers in the war - has an introduction and extensive background notes by the modern English historian Paul Harris.… (more)
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The book studies battles from the First World War which involved armour, particularly Cambrai, and possibly overemphasises the tank's role in Germany's defeat in the Great War. In addition, the book is an interesting source with the development of mobile warfare between the wars in the major powers, and Guderian leaves a clear hint of warning not to toy with the Soviets in the near future.
This book is of great historical significance.
He in the text he first of all goes into exact detail on a number of battles from the First World War. Not
It is very prophetic reading through his proposals and seeing just how many were applied by the Panzer forces, almost to the letter. In turn, some of his predictions on how enemies would react are spot-on. It is no wonder, reading through this book, that the Germany tank forces and indeed military as a whole were so successful during the opening years of the Second World War.
For military buff's, this is a must read and exceptionally well translated. An excellent book.