Considered by many to be the founding father of the Panzer concept in pre-war Germany, Guderian was forceful, stubborn, opinionated and driven; all the virtues that would put him at odds with most traditional militaries around the world. Fortunately for him, he caught the eye of Hitler and Guderian’s concepts represented exactly the type of bold thinking that Hitler sought to enable him to carry out his military goals. From that point, it was a love/hate relationship between the two, with Guderian being cast aside, brought back, ignored by Hitler, apologized to by Hitler and finally once again sent into the wilderness.
Guderian did not only have a strained relationship with Hitler, but also with numerous other German Generals. This was to be expected; he was preaching a new type of war, one of rapid movement, exposed flanks, co-operation with another branch of the armed forces, etc. and many of the top generals were of a different generation and could not fully understand the potential of not only tanks used in mass, but motorized infantry, close support from the air force, etc. Guderian’s concept was the basis on which the German war effort was based, for Hitler knew and understood that a war of attrition was a losing proposition for Germany.
Somewhat surprisingly, he is most political in this book. He writes of his excellent relations with the Waffen-SS and praises numerous individuals for their positive attitude, hard work and resourcefulness. He is disappointed when several of his key ideas are either totally ignored or only implemented when it is too late, and he is critical of decisions made in direct opposition to Hitler. In that way, he does support Hitler who often complained that his generals did not listen to him and threw away opportunities.
For all the conservativism of the Prussian mindset which ran through the General Staff, it is a credit that Guderian’s ideas were acted upon, unlike those prophets in France, the U.K., and the U.S. Fortunately, thanks to numerous German and German allies’ errors, a war of attrition did develop and thus the world was saved from unlimited savagery.
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