„If the tanks succeed, then victory follows.“
As quoted in Panzerkrieg : The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Tank Divisions (2002) by Peter McCarthy and Mike Syron, p. 33
Születési dátum: 17. június 1888
Halál dátuma: 14. május 1954
Heinz Wilhelm Guderian német tábornok, a páncélos hadviselés megújítója, a villámháborús taktika fő teoretikusa, aki megkerülte a Maginot-vonalat a második világháborúban. Wikipedia
„If the tanks succeed, then victory follows.“
As quoted in Panzerkrieg : The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Tank Divisions (2002) by Peter McCarthy and Mike Syron, p. 33
Achtung-Panzer! : The Development of Armoured Forces, Their Tactics and Operational Potential (1937)
Arguing with Adolf Hitler about the German army being cut off in the Courland Pocket; as quoted in Inside the Third Reich : Memoirs (1971) by Albert Speer, p. 534
Fahrkarte bis zur Endstation.
Shouted to his Panzertroops as they were passing him, indicating that they should go as far as they could; as quoted in Panzerkrieg : The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Tank Divisions (2002) by Peter McCarthy and Mike Syron, p. 83
„Logistics is the ball and chain of armored warfare.“
As quoted in Sword Point (1988) by Harold Coyle, p. 141
„When the situation is obscure, attack.“
As quoted in Waging Business Warfare (1988) David J. Rogers, p. 236
„There are no desperate situations, there are only desperate people.“
Es gibt keine verzweifelten Lagen, es gibt nur verzweifelte Menschen.
As quoted in Die Deutschen gepanzerten Truppen bis 1945 (1965) by Oskar Munzel
„You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread.“
Man schlägt jemanden mit der Faust und nicht mit gespreizten Fingern.
As quoted in Die Deutschen gepanzerten Truppen bis 1945 (1965) by Oskar Munzel, p. 209; this indicated the need to concentrate tank forces for one strong push in one direction and not distribute them over a large area.
On the failure of Hitler and his advisors to face realities of various situations, especially those of the military on the Eastern Front, in Panzer Leader (1952), Ch. 6 : The Campaign in Russia, p. 190
Kontextus: To imitate the ostrich in political matters has never been a satisfactory method of avoiding danger; yet this is what Hitler, as well as his more important political, economic and even military advisers, chose to do over and over again. The consequences of this deliberate blindness in the face of hard facts were devastating; and it was we who now had to bear them.
„New weapons require new tactics. Never put new wine into old bottles.“
As quoted in Cavalry from Hoof to Track (2009) by Roman Jarymowycz, Ch. 16 : Cold Warhorse: Pegasus ex Machina
Achtung-Panzer! : The Development of Armoured Forces, Their Tactics and Operational Potential (1937)
„Boot 'em, don't spatter 'em!“
Nicht Kleckern sondern Klotzen!
As quoted in How Great Generals Win (1993) by Bevin Alexander, p. 227; this statement became a stock phrase which Hitler often repeated. It is comparable to the adage "Don't do things by half."
„The engine of the Panzer is a weapon just as the main-gun.“
Der Motor des Panzers ist ebenso seine Waffe wie die Kanone.
As quoted in Die Deutschen gepanzerten Truppen bis 1945 (1965) by Oskar Munzel, p. 159
Letter to his wife (9 November 1941) on the German failures in Operation Barbarossa and the battles of the Eastern Front, quoted in Images of Kursk : History's Greatest Tank Battle, July 1943 (2002) by Nikolas Cornish, p. 6; also in The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War (2009) by Andrew Roberts, p. 409
Panzer Leader (1952), Ch. 13 : Leading Personalities of the Third Reich, p. 432