Achtung Panzer! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 12-07-2007, 12:53 AM

I got a new book!

Heinz Guderian's first book, it promises to be awsome. His second is a very practical application of modern armor, his first this one is all theory. It will be interesting to see how theory translated to practice.

After reading his book and about him I have a ton of respect for Guderian. He was one of the best generals the world has ever seen, and a great man. A professional solider in all respects. I would have loved to know him. Supposidly he also had a very good sense of humor.

Its a good thing he was not in charge! After the battle of France he wanted to commite strong forces to North Africa, like 6 Panzer divisions right away. And roll right on to Iraq. Since the British only had one at the time it would have been a cake walk. The Mediterranean would have been the Axis private pond, and Britian would have been SOL.

Here is the only footage I could find of him:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8983716183142074868&q=Heinz+Guderian&total=7&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Ignore the Nazi salute he was no friend of the party, if you understand the way he works you will understand why he put up with it.

Jim B. · #2 12-07-2007, 02:29 AM

You mentioned before about him I recall. I do not know much about him, though I have read that in 1945 near the end of the war, he actually stood up against Hitler's strategies and tactics when Hitler was trying to micromanage the war, and actually engaged in screaming matches with him, and offered his resignation, which was refused.

A Mercedes Benz mechanic in this town has taken over the business from his father, who was a tank driver in the Wehrmacht Afrika Korps. He told me his father and the troops loved Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox", who truly cared about his soldiers.

He would disappear into the desert for days at a time, (he told me) with only a few sandwiches and some water, where he would go around and visit his troops in person, to find out how they were doing and what was really going in the field. A truly unique individual.

After Africa was lost to the Allies, the tank driver was posted to Italy, and in the battle of Monte Cassino his tank was blown up and he was captured, and became a POW and interned in the USA.

After the war was over and he was released, in the 1950's he started his own Mercedes Benz independent repair shop in Marin County, (Fairfax) when I was living in Marin as a kid.

In the 1960's, the shop was filled with Pontons, Fintails and W108s, and all the mechanics in the shop still spoke only German to each other.

pj67coll · #3 12-07-2007, 04:02 PM

Where did you get the book?

- Peter.

KylePavao · #4 12-07-2007, 06:24 PM

I have a leather bound copy myself. Picked it up at a used book place. He really makes it seem very simple, and amazing how relatively short and succinct the book is.

Hatterasguy · #5 12-07-2007, 09:53 PM

Is it in German? I don't think it was translated into english until the 90's.

Barnes & Noble can get it, as can Amazon.

I love how he writes its very simple and to the point, yet you can tell his views are coming from great intelligence and thought.

t walgamuth · #6 12-07-2007, 11:18 PM

Rommel. I believe, participated in the plot to assasinate Hitler late in the war and may have been executed for it....

He was respected by our armies too.

Tom W

KylePavao · #7 12-08-2007, 11:18 AM

Yes, mine is written in German, a small leatherbound volume. I also have an english "classics" translated version, for ease of translation.