Achtung-Panzer! The Development of Armoured Forces Their Tactics and Operational Potential

Guderian, Major-General Heinz

ISBN 10: 1854091387 / ISBN 13: 9781854091383

Published by Arms and Armour Press, New York London, 1992

About this Item

220pp. Red boards with bright gilt lettering on the spine. 16pgs. of black and white photographs. maps.Book itself is as new. Unclipped pictorial jacket has slight wear to the tips, othewise like new. "a book on the application of motorized warfare. First published in 1937, it expounds a new kind of warfare: the concentrated use of tanks, with infantry and air force in close support, later known as Blitzkrieg tactics. The book also argues against the continued use of cavalry given the proven effectiveness of the machine gun, and advocates replacing the cavalry with mechanised infantry. It was never properly studied by the French or the British general staff, both of whom helped introduce the tank. Size: Octavo.

Seller Inventory # 033763

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Achtung-Panzer! The Development of Armoured Forces Their Tactics and Operational Potential
• Publisher: Arms and Armour Press, New York London
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1854091387
• ISBN 13: 9781854091383
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Reprint.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Book Type: Book

About this title

Synopsis

This is the first English translation of the strategic study of tank warfare by one of its leading exponents. Written just two years before he put his theories to work in Hitler's Blitzkrieg of World War II. The theories of Heinz Guderain, substantially evolved from the British and French experiences from World War I, were considered revolutionary, even foolhardy. When he published his views in 1937 the book became a bestseller and yet few of the readers appreciated that the words would become the battle doctrine for Hitler's Panzer as they swept across Europe in the following five years. This translation also contains "hindsight" commentary added by Paul Harris of the War Studies Department, Sandhurst. The commentary explains Guderian's original aims and discusses how his theories were altered by practical events. The book is produced in the style of the original German book, even down to the small vehicle silhouettes used in the earlier book.

About the Author

Born in 1888, Heinz Guderian served in World War One, came to Hitler¿s attention in 1935, was made corps commander of Panzer troops and promoted to General in 1938. His tanks were greatly successful in the invasions of Poland and France and, perceived as pro-Nazi, Guderian was much in favour. However, when the Russian invasion failed in the winter of 1941, Guderian was forced to resign, not to regain his position until 1944, when the war was all but lost. He died in Bavaria in 1954.