New Weapons, New Bottles…

“New weapons require new tactics. Never put new wine into old bottles.” Heinz Guderian (1888 to 1954) Heinz Wilhelm Guderian was German general and tank expert, who became one of the principal architects of armoured warfare and the blitzkrieg between World Wars I and II. He contributed decisively to Germany’s victories in Poland, France, and… Read More

Advertisements

Logistical Ball & Chain…

“Logistics is the ball and chain of armoured warfare.” Heinz Guderian (1888 to 1954) Heinz Wilhelm Guderian was German general and tank expert, who became one of the principal architects of armoured warfare and the blitzkrieg between World Wars I and II. He contributed decisively to Germany’s victories in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union… Read More

Qualities of an Ideal Staff Officer…

“An ideal General Staff Corps officer might be described as possessing the following qualities: sincerity of conviction, cleverness, modesty, self-effacement in favour of the common cause, and strong personal convictions combined with the ability tactfully to present these convictions to his commanding general. If his opinions were not accepted he must be sufficiently master of… Read More

Military Tradition vs Evolution…

“‘The younger men, in opposition to the older, believed that there was no time to be lost; the representatives of tradition wanted, and so far as they were able to do insisted, on a slow and gradual evolution.” (Guderian, 1990, 459). Heinz Guderian, a World War I junior officer and World War II General. Creator, trainer… Read More

Achievements & Reality vs Display & Appearance

“‘It was Schlieffen who coined the apothegm: ‘Great achievements, small display: more reality than appearance,’ and this was a recognition of the qualities of Moltke and his school.” (Guderian, 1990, 454). Apothegm: a concise saying or maxim; an aphorism. Heinz Guderian, a World War I junior officer and World War II General. Creator, trainer and leader of… Read More

Considerations and Risks…

“‘First weigh the considerations, then take the risks.’ is a German adage first coined by Field-Marshal Moltke.” (Guderian, 1990, 439). Heinz Guderian, a World War I junior officer and World War II General. Creator, trainer and leader of Germany’s armoured forces during the Second World War. Reference Guderian, H. & Fitzgibbon, C. (trans) (1990) Panzer Leader.… Read More

When to Use New Military Weapons…

“A lesson learned from the First World War had taught us that it is necessary to be patient about committing new weapons and that they must be held back until they are being produced in such quantities as to allow their employment in mass. In the First World War the French and British used their… Read More