The Ghost Division: Rommel in the Low Countries and France, 1940

Witness the Blitzkrieg through the eyes of the invaders in this rare, primary source account of the fall of France.

Originally published in 1942, The Ghost Division (Die Gespenster-Division) is the vivid, on-the-ground narrative of the German 7th Panzer Division during the invasion of Belgium and France. Written by Alfred Tschimpke, a German Lieutenant and war reporter, this text offers a gripping, moment-by-moment chronicle of the speed and ferocity that defined early World War II tank warfare.

Led by the legendary General Erwin Rommel—who appears frequently in the text directing battles from the front lines—the division earned the nickname "Ghost Division" because of its seemingly supernatural ability to outmaneuver the enemy, appear unexpectedly, and break communications with its own high command due to the sheer speed of its advance.

Inside this book, you will discover:

• The Race to the Sea: Follow the relentless advance across five major rivers—the Ourthe, Meuse, Sambre, Somme, and Seine—as the division pushes 60 kilometers a day to reach the Channel coast.

• Tactical Insights: Read detailed descriptions of the breakthrough at the Maginot Line, the daring crossing of the Meuse, and the tank-on-tank battles that shattered the myth of French invincibility.

• Rommel in Action: Experience the "lead from the front" style of Erwin Rommel, depicted here as a commander who personally directed tank fire and river crossings under heavy shelling.

• The Fall of Fortresses: From the capture of Cherbourg to the surrender at St. Valery, witness the collapse of Allied defenses through the lens of a German officer.

A Critical Historical Document Readers should note that this book is a product of its time. Originally published by the Zentralverlag of the NSDAP, it is a work of wartime propaganda designed to glorify the Wehrmacht and boost morale on the German home front. The narrative celebrates the camaraderie and tactical superiority of the German soldier while omitting the atrocities and moral implications of the war.

For military historians, researchers, and students of World War II, this book serves as an essential primary source. It provides a unique window into the mindset of the German officer corps in 1940 and demonstrates how literature was weaponized to legitimize the actions of an authoritarian regime.