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Originally Posted by Jim B.
Yoiu are way ahead of the curve on this one Chris. that is some pretty abstruse reading.
Guderian was a pretty fascinating character. I am not particularly up on him, but do know he was not afraid of Hitler, and had lots of shouting matches with him through March 1945, because he really stood up for what he was felt was right, as long as he could. Finally Hitler had enough of him and sent him on "medical leave" as the Reich was collapsing everywhere at the end of March '45
I think Heinz G. was really the FIRST modern commander that understood the value of mobilised armor in modern warfare. That alone should ensure his place in the annals of modern military history
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Yes he was a fine solider in all respects. However he was from the old Prussian school so he was loyal to his commander, IE Hitler to the end. Although that loyalty like with a lot of high ranking officers had its limits. For example the commissar order was never given to his troops, him and many other generals simply let it get buried on their desks never to be seen again.
Guderian was not as anti Hitler as was Rommel. Guderian actualy had a good relationship with Hitler and considered him to be a professional friend, this started to fall apart after the bomb plot. Hitler liked Guderians ideas so he supported him, and naturaly Guderian was happy about that. Guderian could do and say a lot more and get away with it, I think because Hitler respected him and knew he was loyal.
I have to say Guderian was a lot more politacly savy than Rommel, probably because he out ranked him and was at the top of the Nazi circles for most of the war. In regards to the bomb plot their was no evidence that Guderian was involved, however I suspect he talked about it with Rommel and knew quite a bit. Their are some gray areas in his book, and if you put them together with Luck's they start to fill in. When the bomb went off Guderian did something very out of character, he took a walk and couldn't be reached for several hours. I suspect he figured he would support whatever side won when the dust settled. He was in a tricky spot, but played it perfectly and came out on top.