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Achtung-Panzer!: The Development of Armoured Forces, Their Tactics and Operational Potential
by
This is an 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.
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Paperback, 220 pages
Published
August 1st 1995
by Arms & Armour Press
(first published 1937)
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Start your review of Achtung-Panzer!: The Development of Armoured Forces, Their Tactics and Operational Potential
If ever you find a tank parked in your driveway and suddenly develop a need to invade a small country.. this is the book for you.
Quite good - detailed description of tank's history, and operations during WWI. Second part of the book provides some details about building the new army after WWI, and thoughts about future operations.
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Great book goes in-depth at the transition from the use of Calvary in the First World War to the armored machines of the later war years. Provides many examples as to how different nations prioritized tank use and development in comparison to Germany.
I picked up Achtung-Panzer because Heinz Guderian is often described as the father of the Panzer Division which defined World War II. After spending so much time studying this topic it made sense to read his work directly.
Achtung-Panzer can be summed up as- following the development of machine guns offensive power shifted from the Infantry to Tanks. In order for an offense to be successful Tanks must attack with surprise, en masse, and upon suitable terrain. The objective of such an attack is to ...more
Achtung-Panzer can be summed up as- following the development of machine guns offensive power shifted from the Infantry to Tanks. In order for an offense to be successful Tanks must attack with surprise, en masse, and upon suitable terrain. The objective of such an attack is to ...more
Not bad. Essentially, a tactician's textbook. Written pre-WWII, when tanks were still very much in their infancy. Guderian was ahead of all the leading foreign military "armoured specialists", in the way armour was to be employed in the field, and went on to prove it in Germany's early successes of the war. Reading through some of the theories and strategies could, at times, be a little tedious. Being a history buff, I found the best parts to be the actual recounting of tank battles in WWI, how
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This book is not for the casual reader of World War II history. Written between the wars, this is Guderian's account of the development of German armored tactics which would later be labeled as "Blitzkreig" For the more serious WWII scholar, Guderian's book is essential reading that should sit beside Rommel's "Infantry Attacks".
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In 1931, Lieutenant-Colonel Heinz Guderian was named chief of staff to the Inspectorate of Motorized Troops, the center of Germany's work on mobile warfare and armored forces. Guderian was the public advocate while his new boss General major Lutz worked behind the scenes. Guderian reached out to leaders of the Nazi regime to promote the panzer force concept, attract support, and secure resources, including a demonstration for Hitler himself. Lutz persuaded, cajoled, and compensated for Guderian'
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Really pulled together the picture in my mind of how the German's were able to smash their opponents on the ground. I just find it so ironic that a country that hardly had any tanks in WWI and was forbidden to have any and was using wooden dummies for practice ended up perfecting tank combat and crushing their opponents.
I also find it ironic that in 1937 Guderian actually has to spend time explaining why cavalry and the days of the bayonet charge are passed... hahaha WWI not enough evidence for ...more
I also find it ironic that in 1937 Guderian actually has to spend time explaining why cavalry and the days of the bayonet charge are passed... hahaha WWI not enough evidence for ...more
Hitler's tank general documents the dawn of armoured warfare. I didn't really know what to expect from this and I was a little concerned it might be impenetrable, or at least very dry. It's certainly going to be interesting only for military buffs and tank fans especially, but it (ie, the translation) is at least readable and it's clear early on where the inspiration for blitzkrieg came from. Detailed accounts of most if not all WW1 tank actions are distilled into one big lesson for tank operati
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Be warned, this book contains unmarked spoilers for the Second World War!
In all seriousness, it's quite interesting to read a detailed plan about how to do something, as written by someone who will go on to do it successfully. I don't currently have a copy of this book, but I remember a quote from it that aged particularly poorly: one of Guderian's superiors tells him, sometime in the late 1920s, that "neither of us will see a German tank force within our lifetimes."
But it's much less interestin ...more
In all seriousness, it's quite interesting to read a detailed plan about how to do something, as written by someone who will go on to do it successfully. I don't currently have a copy of this book, but I remember a quote from it that aged particularly poorly: one of Guderian's superiors tells him, sometime in the late 1920s, that "neither of us will see a German tank force within our lifetimes."
But it's much less interestin ...more
Very good book for any history or war buff. Heinz Guderian writing in 1937 theorizes what he called Total War, and we called Blitzkrieg.
This book is a short but thoughtful book. The author lays out the problem and provides his insight in resolving the mistakes of the past.
When I finished reading I wondered if the enemy ever read the book. Were they prepared or did they wait to be confronted and then try to solve the puzzle.
This book is a short but thoughtful book. The author lays out the problem and provides his insight in resolving the mistakes of the past.
When I finished reading I wondered if the enemy ever read the book. Were they prepared or did they wait to be confronted and then try to solve the puzzle.
Apr 22, 2020
Lysergius
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
military-history
An expert's view of Panzer tactics written before the reality of the Blitkrieg. It is all here, the requirements for a successful campaign. n a work characterised by a wealth of common sense Guderian manages to touch on all of the key aspects of tank warfare, such as, the role of the infantry, the engineers, anti-tank defence, air support etc. This is written and presented in a very logical and straight forward style without obfuscation or self aggrandisment. This is a masterwork.
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Containing tank development start from its first introduction in ww1 to its possible usage for the next war. Some about operational tactics discussed. This book also include several interesting tables such as technical specification of ww1 and interwar period tank and world production share of motor vehicles.
This was a very good book about first, the development of the tank and then its use in the world wars. How major general Heinz Guderian used the German Panzer. But, not only that, he discusses the change from the tank being an infantry support vehicle to being its own separate divisional unit.
Unfortunately, this knowledge was used to create horror in Europe, but one cannot deny that this man was a true tactician, anyone who is interested in military history or even business leadership should read this work.
He was the master
Amazing to read these ideas written so long before they became reality. I was especially impressed by his analysis of the Russian army of that time. It suggests to me that if not for Stalin's officer purge the war may have ended much sooner. ...more
Amazing to read these ideas written so long before they became reality. I was especially impressed by his analysis of the Russian army of that time. It suggests to me that if not for Stalin's officer purge the war may have ended much sooner. ...more
A superb book on the development and theory of armored warfare prior to ww2. It May be a bit biased in certain aspects off the period's politics but all' in all a must read for armor entusiasts.
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Amazing. I love studying Military tactics
Very interesting book on the origins of armoured forces and the use of armor as a standalone force.
Nov 17, 2019
Eliel Enan
marked it as to-read
if ww2 wasn't a nutrition war, Germany was victorious
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Wisdom from arguably Germany's greatest Panzer leader. Forget Rommel - this guy is the real deal.
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A must-read book...
..for everyone who loves history and is interested in tank tactics. Guderian explains in easy terms the basics of Blitzkrieg with the new war machines(tanks) after the World War.
The principles of "Surprise, attack in mass and suitability of terrain" can be used not only for war but also in other fields. ...more
..for everyone who loves history and is interested in tank tactics. Guderian explains in easy terms the basics of Blitzkrieg with the new war machines(tanks) after the World War.
The principles of "Surprise, attack in mass and suitability of terrain" can be used not only for war but also in other fields. ...more
I was inside the mind of a genious.
This isn´t an easy book to read, I tought that it is a bit boring, specially for someone that doesn´t like military strategy and it isn´t familiarize with the theme. Also it would be great to update the maps of the battles.
Unfortunately for mankind, Guderian created, at the time, the best army in the world thanks to it´s revolutionary theories about the use of tanks and the creation of a mecanized independent tank brigade and the close cooperation between the p ...more
This isn´t an easy book to read, I tought that it is a bit boring, specially for someone that doesn´t like military strategy and it isn´t familiarize with the theme. Also it would be great to update the maps of the battles.
Unfortunately for mankind, Guderian created, at the time, the best army in the world thanks to it´s revolutionary theories about the use of tanks and the creation of a mecanized independent tank brigade and the close cooperation between the p ...more
It is interesting reading a book about history, that is itself, history. Published just before the second world war, this exceptional book is Heinz Guderian's play book for armoured warfare.
He in the text he first of all goes into exact detail on a number of battles from the First World War. Not necessarily the famous one's but battles that slowly build up a picture of the First World War methods used by the then infant tank troops. Then, he takes us through the developments after the First Wor ...more
He in the text he first of all goes into exact detail on a number of battles from the First World War. Not necessarily the famous one's but battles that slowly build up a picture of the First World War methods used by the then infant tank troops. Then, he takes us through the developments after the First Wor ...more
Written in 1937, this book is an interesting study of "what went wrong" in World War I, which is Guderian's focus throughout the text, as he probes different strategies that failed and succeeded. The text is certainly phrophetic with the rise of armoured vehicles' importance in modern warfare with their emphasis on speed, armour, and radios (communication and coordination), which is quite the leap from trenches and fixed artillery positions from years before. Not only that, but two years after t
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Aug 13, 2008
Jacob
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in armoured warfare
Shelves:
military
I forced myself to read this before reading Guderian's 'Panzer Leader', just to give myself a little more background or insight into the author. I'm very happy that I did.
'Achtung Panzer' shows how Guderian brings about his concept of how to use armour (or any new technology to gain the upper hand) for future conflicts; the blueprint for the so-called 'blitzkrieg' or combined arms approach, with an emphasis on armoured/mechanized units leading the way.
It starts off rather slow, but, I guess, nec ...more
'Achtung Panzer' shows how Guderian brings about his concept of how to use armour (or any new technology to gain the upper hand) for future conflicts; the blueprint for the so-called 'blitzkrieg' or combined arms approach, with an emphasis on armoured/mechanized units leading the way.
It starts off rather slow, but, I guess, nec ...more
Heinz Guderian was a pioneer in the development of armored warfare and the most important military strategist in the first half of the 20th century. When distilled down to its most basic components, Guderian was an innovator in the application of a relatively new technology (though we tend not to view these things through that lens). Achtung-Panzer! is a military classic and a good read.
As a primmer, I would recommend "Kaiserschlacht 1918" by Randal Gray from Osprey Publishing. The Ludendorff O ...more
As a primmer, I would recommend "Kaiserschlacht 1918" by Randal Gray from Osprey Publishing. The Ludendorff O ...more
Written in a straightforward manner, which may be how Guderian did it originally, or extra work on the part of the translator.
Starts with a look at how the tank evolved, based on his own experiences in WWI. Then it follows up with how the Allies improved things after (Germany wasn't allowed to make its own following the Versailles Treaty).
There are chapters on the organisation of German panzer units and how they fit in with other arms to work together and achieve objectives.
Overall it's a good ...more
Starts with a look at how the tank evolved, based on his own experiences in WWI. Then it follows up with how the Allies improved things after (Germany wasn't allowed to make its own following the Versailles Treaty).
There are chapters on the organisation of German panzer units and how they fit in with other arms to work together and achieve objectives.
Overall it's a good ...more
First of all I will admit that I love this book. I got it in high school and thoroughly enjoyed it. With that said, this book is not for everyone. While it describes a lot of World War I combat it is no Storm of Steel or All Quiet on the Western Front. Achtung Panzer is not a memoir or a novel, it is Guderian's argument for the use of tanks in modern warfare. This book sums up tank use in WWI and the development of "blitzkrieg," albeit with Guderian's fairly biased opinions. After the war Guderi
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Clearly written/translated and organised into sensible sections. The first half dragged a bit for me in places, but then I lack a comprehensive prior knowledge of the organisations of the fronts in WW1. Excellent introduction and notes in the English translation.
Only real complaint is the production of the edition I read (Cassell paperbacks). The type is too small throughout the book, almost amusingly so by the time it gets to the end of chapter notes. The original maps have been reproduced, but ...more
Only real complaint is the production of the edition I read (Cassell paperbacks). The type is too small throughout the book, almost amusingly so by the time it gets to the end of chapter notes. The original maps have been reproduced, but ...more
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