• General Information
  • Born: 17-Jun-1888
  • Birthplace: Kulm, Germany
  • Died: 14-May-1954
  • Location of death: Schwangau bei Füssen, Germany
  • Cause of death: unspecified
  • Gender: Male
  • Race or Ethnicity: White
  • Sexual orientation: Straight
  • Occupation: Military
  • Nationality: Germany Executive summary: German WWII general, Panzer tactician
  • Military service: German Army
  • Father: Friedrich Guderian
  • Mother: Clara Kirchhoff
  • Wife: Margarete Goerne (m. Oct-1913, 2 sons)
  • Son: Heinz Günther Guderian
  • Author of books: Achtung – Panzer!: The Development of Armored Forces, Their Tactics and Operational Potential (1937)

Heinz Guderian

• Introduction
  • Liddle Hart, commenting upon the performance of German Army during the Second World War, said, “The German army achieved its amazing run of victories not because they were overwhelmingly in strength or thoroughly modern in form, but because it was a few vital degrees more advanced than its opponents.” The advancement referred to was the successful adoption of the new theory of mobile warfare known as the Blitzkrieg or the lightening war. Due to this theory, by 1942, the Germans had invaded nine sovereign democracies, occupied swathes of Russia and threatened to cut a path to the vast oilfields of the Middle East. Adoption of this theory was a difficult task as it was a new concept, an innovation, which challenged traditional tactics. To innovate, it requires conviction, courage and a sense of purpose. Germans were fortunate to have among them a leader who possessed all these qualities and who believed in the words of Fuller, “Tactics are based on weapon power and not on the experiences of military history”. General Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, father of Blitzkrieg, successfully created, trained and led the German Panzer Forces in their stunning run of victories during the Second World War.
  • The son of a Prussian General, Guderian was commissioned into the Tenth Hanoverian Jager in 1908. After the war he specialized in military mechanical transport and greatly influenced by the ideas of British military writers such as Liddle Hart and Fuller, helped to develop Germany’s first tanks. In 1938 he published his highly influential book on the future of armoured warfare, “Achtung Panzer”. He was promoted to the rank of General on the outbreak of war. He exhibited his brilliant ideas and handling of Panzer forces in Poland, France and Russia. During the Russian campaign, he got involved in an insubordinate dispute with Hitler and was dismissed. Hitler recalled him as Inspector General of Panzer troops and later appointed him Chief of Staff. He retained the post, though remained constantly at odds with Hitler and was finally dismissed 21st March1945. Guderian was a great military theorist and battlefield commander, perhaps Germany’s greatest of the war.

• Guderian’s Contribution Towards Blitzkrieg.              One of Guderian’s famous quotes read, ”The engine of the Panzer is a weapon just as the main-gun”. Guderian was highly influenced by the new theory of mobile warfare advocating surprise attacks with lightening speed coupled with massive and coordinated air attacks to create shock. After the First World War, he focused all his energies to build a force, capable of successfully implementing Blitzkrieg. In the process of their creation, he remained associated with Tank Forces as an Instructor, Inspector and Chief of Staff and contributed towards their organization and  communications. On employment of the new arm, he wrote numerous articles including his famous book Achtung Panzer. In the words of one of his contemporaries, Hasso Monteuffel, member of German war ministry,   “It was Guderian – and at first he alone – who introduced the tank to the Army and its use as an operative weapon. In the best sense of the word, this new weapon bears the stamp of his personality. Its successes during the war are due to him. He was the creator and master-teacher of our Armoured Forces – and I lay particular stress on the word ‘master’.

• Guderian During The Second World War.    Guderian saw Second World War as a General and commander of Panzer Troops and led the campaigns in Poland, France and  Russia. He not only demonstrated and proved the viability of Blitzkrieg but also exhibited the art of Generalship required to make any concept workable and successful. Here is a brief account of his role in the Second World War.
  • Polish Campaign.     Guderian led the attack on Poland in September 1939 and his rapid success created shockwaves throughout the world.  Guderian’s XIX Corps, comprising 3rd Panzer Division and 2nd and 20th Motorized Divisions spearheaded the Fourth Army in the North. Due to the speed of XIX Corps advance, Polish Army in the corridor collapsed. Driving South towards Brest, Guderian carried out strategic envelopment and again the essence of operation was speed. The Bulk of Polish tanks were destroyed before they even detrained. Army Group North, courtesy to Guderian, claimed 200 miles advance in ten days against tough opposition for losses, which were lower in proportion, than those of the other groups. Hitler, greatly impressed by the Panzers, awarded Guderian the Knight’s Cross.
  • French Campaign.   Guderian’s XIX Corps for this campaign comprised three Panzer Divisions and a motorized Infantry Division. Hitler ordered the plan to go ahead on 10th May1940. Guderian, who served under General Kliest, attacked with great speed through Luxembourg and Southern Belgium and crossed the River Meuse near Sedan on 14th May. There, Kleist ordered Guderian to halt to which he disagreed and engaged in heated argument with him. Guderian reached English Channel and Boulogne was taken on 23rd May. Hitler halted the operations to allow infantry to catch up. Guderian was furious as he maintained that this prevented German Army cutting the escape of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. The sheer pace of Guderian’s advance, 400 miles in seventeen days, not only baffled Anglo-French Armies but also surprised the conventionally minded strategists and tacticians of German General Staff.
  • Operations In Russia.       During the Russian campaign Guderian was given the command of 2nd Panzer Group. His Group formed part of Army Group Center under Field Marshal Bock. The Group was to operate between the Pripet Marshes and the Suvalki Peak in order to capture Moscow. The operation commenced on 22nd June1941. Guderian’s troops took Minsk within six days. In July 1941, he moved into Ukraine before moving on to Moscow. Russians commenced their counter-attack, which pushed back the over stretched German Army causing them heavy casualties. Keeping in view the worsening supply situation and setting in of the severe Russian winter, Guderian, contrary to the orders of Hitler to hold out, made a limited withdrawal to a better defensive ground in the rear. For violation of orders, Guderian was dismissed from office on 25th December1941.

• Analysis of Guderian’s Generalship.              QualitiesThe truth of the famous quote,” It is not the gun but the man behind the gun that matters” cannot be overemphasized. Blitzkrieg was the buzzword for German victories in the Second World War. But the fact remained that it was the Generalship of Guderian, the father of Blitzkreig, which went a long way in proving the efficacy of the concept. Here is an analysis of Guderian’s Generalship qualities, which elevated him to such glory in the annals of military history.
  • Professional Approach and Competence.      There is no substitute to a professional approach towards war. Battles may be won by brave officers with stout hearts, but war is too serious a business to be left to Generals who have not acquired the art of Generalship through deep study. Guderian, right from the start of his professional career, was regarded by his teachers as, “Serious minded, highly competent and intensely keen in his profession”. His professional approach and competence may be judged from the fact that being an Infantry officer, he was not only the creator of the Panzer Force but also its tutor and instructor. His deep study and understanding of the art of employing armour is evident from his writings on the subject. It was due to his professional competence that despite of being junior in rank, his views were asked for during planning stage of the French campaign.
  • Innovative Ideas and Conviction.          A successful General cannot remain oblivious to the latest  trends in warfare. Guderian was a man with a sharp mind and innovative ideas but always bounded by conviction and an eye for the essential. He liked to quote Moltke’s dicta, “First reckon then risk”. Influenced by the prospects of Tanks during future battles, he approached motorization with inventive zeal. He not only created and organized a new combat arm, but simultaneously introduced a new technique of command, wireless in the single tank. As Innovation violates tradition and wins you appreciation as well as enemies, Guderian always faced a lot of criticism for his innovative ideas particularly from the conventionally minded strategists and tacticians of his time. Guderian narrates in his book Panzer Leader, the scene of a planning conference for the Western offensive. “When I uttered the words that I would arrive at River Meuse on the fourth day of the campaign and would cross it on the fifth, Hitler asked. “And then what are you going to do?” I replied “I will continue advance towards West”. Hitler was visibly tense and General Busch commander of the sixteenth Army cried out “Well, I don’t think you’ll cross the river in the first place!”  Despite all opposition, Guderian managed to have his way and prove his point due to his conviction in his innovative ideas.
  • Courage.       Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. Prussian by birth, courage was inbuilt in  Guderian’s personality. Whether it was on the table during peacetime or on the field during the momentous events of war, Guderian exhibited courage. During peacetime he stood alone against all odds and introduced tanks to the German Army. He had the courage to express his views against the ideas of his seniors including Hitler. During war he led the attacks of his Panzer Divisions in all campaigns. In Polish campaign he traveled with the leading tanks of 3rd Panzer Division and got the things moving when the advance stopped near River Brahe. During French campaign he led the surprised attack through Ardennes. Anxious to take part in the assault across the Meuse, he crossed the River in the first assault boat. In Russia again he was seen on the battle front shouting to his Panzer Troops when they were roaring past him, “Ticket to the last station”, meaning that they should go as far as they could. In his book “Panzer Leader” he narrates, “I was always there to see dusty faces and rimmed eyes of my troops showing that they have spent a hard day and a sleepless night”. It was this Generalship quality which enabled him to take charge of situation whenever needed and won him the award of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
  • Power of Decision and Initiative.           Some find big decisions hard to make, others have difficulties with the smaller ones. Guderian had none of these problems as he believed in the maxim, “Judgment can be developed, not acquired”. Depth of understanding and knowledge enabled Guderian to decide and take initiative without delay. By virtue of leading from the front, he was always in picture and influenced the battle. It was his timely decision during the Polish campaign, diverting 10th Panzer Division to assist 20th Motorized Division, which saved the latter from heavy losses. In the absence of orders from his superiors he had the confidence of deciding on his own. Guderian writes in Panzer Leader, “During French campaign, I never received any further orders as to what I was to do once the bridgehead over the Meuse was captured. All of my decisions, until I reached the Atlantic seaboard at Abbeville, were taken by me alone”.
  • Motivation and Drive.        Guderian was a highly motivated General and induced the same spirit in his subordinates, driving them to accomplish unprecedented feats. His troops hero-worshipped him due to his competence and Generalship qualities. His presence at the front during most dangerous situations and his encouraging words were always a source of motivation for them. Praising XIX Corps for their excellent performance in France and motivating them for the future, he said, “I asked you to go without sleep for 48 hours and you have gone for 17 days. With masterly self- confidence and believing in the fulfillment of your mission, you carried out every order with devotion. Germany is proud of her Panzer Divisions and I am happy to be your commander. We remember our fallen comrades with honour and respect and now we shall arm ourselves for new deeds.”  Views of his troops were no different about their dynamic leader and they were all praise for him when they said; “It is you, Haupmann Guderian who not merely saw an instrument in man who taught us the ‘why’ of such unavoidable toil.”
  • Compassionate Yet Demanding.           Guderian had a very compassionate, loving and helping attitude towards his subordinates including the ordinary soldier. In his own words an officer must be “Inexhaustible in efforts to help troops”.  Concerned about senseless loss of lives during the Russian campaign he had a very heated argument with Hitler, and was removed from command as a result. At the same time he was very demanding and a hard-task master. During Polish campaign he expressed his annoyance when he found that General Schweppenburg, commander of 3rd Panzer Division was not with the leading elements of his Division at the River crossing resulting in unnecessary delay. His disgust at a commander who felt compelled to withdraw at news of the presence of Polish cavalry makes an entertaining reading: “When I regained the use of my voice I asked the Divisional commander if he had ever heard of Pomeranian grenadiers being broken by hostile cavalry”.
  • Physical Robustness and Stamina.      Generalship needs a tough constitution. It demands physical stamina, mental alertness and a resilience of spirit. Guderian had all these qualities and exhibited them by his physical presence during all major actions. At the same time, he was always mindful of the fact that, “Un-remitted effort risk health and creativity”. He always found time  for rest and to recuperate his energies. During Polish campaign when there was a lull of about three days, Guderian relaxed and did that in style. With amused vanity he relished the privilege to sleep in the bed, once used by Napoleon in Finkenstein Castle. The following night, while his troops drove up for action, he went deer shooting. Within few hours he was planning again. Taking time out to relax and helped him recharge for the tasks ahead.
  • A Difficult Subordinate.    Although he believed in “Self effacement in favour of the common cause”, Guderian was known to be a difficult subordinate. The problem appears to correspond to his innovative ideas, un-flinched conviction and highly ambitious nature. He seemed to be following the maxim, “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way”. During Polish campaign he disagreed with General Bock’s plan to split his Panzer Division. During French campaign he contested the order to stop his Panzer Force and was temporarily dismissed from command. Contrary to Hitler’s order he withdrew his troops during Russian campaign and was removed from service. Although his notion of insubordination was never for the sake of personal ambitions, this trait of his Generalship made him unpopular among his superiors.
  • A Prussian Role Model.    Guderian’s personality bore the signatures of Prussian character all over and he was proud of it. “May the day be dark, may the sun shine-bright, I am a Prussian and Prussian I will be.” According to Kenneth Macksey, “To understand Guderian, you have to understand Prussian discipline.” Prussians were known for their courage, loyalty, sincerity of conviction, and above all unmatched discipline. Guderian’s Generalship reflected all those qualities whether in peace or during war.

Heinz Guderian

• Conclusion.                                Guderian was a peculiar General. To the world at large he came to personify the archetypal, single-minded Prussian bent upon war. To the German people he was a hero-and worshipped by his soldiers too. Had powerful enemies among his superiors and above all, nobody seemed more confused in his relationship with Guderian, than Adolf Hitler himself. According to General Von Geyr, “Ambitious, brave,  a heart for his soldiers, who liked and trusted him; rash as a man, quick in decisions, strict with officers, real personality, therefore many enemies. Blunt, even to Hitler. If you suggest revolutionary ideas, he will say in 95 per cent of cases: ‘Yes’: at once”.

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