Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions

Author : Hermann Hoth
Publisher : Casemate
ISBN 13 : 1612002692
Total Pages : 225 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (12 download)

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Download or read book Panzer Operations written by Hermann Hoth and published by Casemate. This book was released on 2015-03-19 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book, originally published in German in 1956, has now been translated into English, unveiling a wealth of both experiences and analysis about Operation Barbarossa, perhaps the most important military campaign of the 20th century. Hermann Hoth led GermanyÕs 3rd Panzer Group in Army Group CenterÑin tandem with GuderianÕs 2nd GroupÑduring the invasion of the Soviet Union, and together those two daring panzer commanders achieved a series of astounding victories, encircling entire Russian armies at Minsk, Smolensk, and Vyazma, all the way up to the very gates of Moscow. This work begins with Hoth discussing the use of nuclear weapons in future conflicts. This cool-headed post-war reflection, from one of Nazi GermanyÕs top panzer commanders, is rare enough. But then Hoth dives into his exact command decisions during BarbarossaÑstill the largest continental offensive ever undertakenÑto reveal new insights into how Germany could, and in his view should, have succeeded in the campaign. Hoth critically analyses the origin, development, and objective of the plan against Russia, and presents the situations confronted, the decisions taken, and the mistakes made by the armyÕs leadership, as the new form of mobile warfare startled not only the Soviets on the receiving end but the German leadership itself, which failed to provide support infrastructure for their panzer armÕs breakthroughs. Hoth sheds light on the decisive and ever-escalating struggle between Hitler and his military advisers on the question whether, after the Dnieper and the Dvina had been reached, to adhere to the original idea of capturing Moscow. HitlerÕs momentous decision to divert forces to Kiev and the south only came in late August 1941. He then finally considers in detail whether the Germans, after obliterating the remaining Russian armies facing Army Group Center in Operation Typhoon, could still hope for the occupation of the Russian capital that fall. Hoth concludes his study with several lessons for the offensive use of armored formations in the future. His firsthand analysis, here published for the first time in English, will be vital reading for every student of World War II.