Panzer Leader - Softcover

Guderian, Heinz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0345290461 ISBN 13: 9780345290465

Publisher: Ballantine Books, 1980

Synopsis

Germany's opening run of victory in World War II was only made possible by the panzer forces that Heinz Guderian (1888-1954), the father of modern tank warfare, had created and trained, and by his audacious leading of those forces from 1939-1941. Guderian's breakthrough at Sedan and lightning drive to the Channel coast virtually decided the Battle of France. The drive he led into the East came close to producing the complete collapse of Russia's armies, but at the end of 1941 Guderian was dismissed for taking a timely step back instead of pandering to Hitler's illusions. He was recalled to service only when Germany's situation had become desperate, and was eventually made Chief of the General Staff when it had become hopeless.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

'A brilliant, mesmerizing read ... his portrait of Hitler at war is superb ... recommended without reservation' Stephen Ambrose, author of Band of Brothers

Heinz Guderian - master of Blitzkrieg and father of modern tank warfare - commanded the German XIX Army Corps as it rampaged across Poland in 1939.

Personally leading the devastating attack which traversed the Ardennes Forest and broke through French lines, he was at the forefront of the race to the Channel coast. Only Hitler's personal command to halt prevented Guderian's tanks and troops turning Dunkirk into an Allied bloodbath.

Later commanding Panzergruppe 2 in Operation Barbarossa, Guderian's armoured spearhead took Smolensk after fierce fighting and was poised to launch the final assault on Moscow when he was ordered south to Kiev. In the battle that followed, he helped encircle and capture over 600,000 Soviet troops after days of combat in the most terrible conditions.

Panzer Leader is a searing firsthand account of the most effective fighting force in modern history by the man who commanded it.

About the Author:

Heinz Guderian (1888-1954) rose through the ranks of the German military to become chief of the general staff. He was also the author of Achtung, Panzer! and With the Tanks in the East and West.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Publication date: 1980
• ISBN 10: 0345290461
• ISBN 13: 9780345290465
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback