Guderian, General Heinz

Guderian, General Heinz (1888–1954),German Army officer who, after an early training in radio communications, and active service during the First World War, propounded in the 1930s the revolutionary theory that tanks were the primary weapon of a concentrated attack to which all other arms should be subordinated (see blitzkrieg). In 1935 he laid the foundations for three panzer divisions; he published his theories of tank warfare in a book (Achtung Panzer, 1937); and in November 1938 was promoted lt-general and appointed to a new post, Commander of Mobile Troops.

He commanded 19th Panzer Corps during the Polish campaign in September 1939, and in the fighting which preceded the fall of France in June 1940. Both campaigns proved that the combination of tanks, dive-bombers, and motorized infantry (Panzer Grenadiers) produced the swift, overwhelming, annihilating striking power that characterized the blitzkrieg Guderian espoused, and he was promoted general. Initially, this combination also worked during the German invasion of the USSR in June 1941 (see BARBAROSSA): Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group swept towards Moscow and then, on Hitler's orders, into the Ukraine where his forces helped surround huge Red Army forces at Kiev. His Group was rewarded with Army status by a delighted Hitler, but Guderian was critical of the Führer's failure to take advantage of initial German successes by striking straight for Moscow, as he had advised. These criticisms, and the fact that he was preparing to withdraw his army from its exposed position, led to his dismissal on 20 December.

He languished without an appointment for over a year before Hitler recalled him in March 1943 as Inspector-General of Armoured Troops, an appointment which made him chief of the Panzer Command. Before the July 1944 bomb plot to kill Hitler (see Schwarze Kapelle) he was asked to join the conspirators, and though loyalty stopped him he kept the plot to himself. In its aftermath he was a member of the ‘Court of Honour’ which expelled those officers involved in the plot, so that they could be handed over to the ‘People's Court’. He was made chief of the Army General Staff (OKH), but had such bitter arguments with Hitler that on 28 March 1945, after flatly contradicting Hitler to his face, he was sent on sick leave.

Bibliography

Guderian, H. , Panzer Leader (London, 1952).
Macksey, K. , Guderian (London, 1992).