Panzer Divisions The Blitzkrieg Years 1939–40

by Battistelli, Pier Paolo

• ISBN13: 9781846031465
• ISBN10: 184603146X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-11-20
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Germany's armored forces - the Panzerwaffe - were still in their infancy. The restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles meant that German tank development had to be conducted in secret. Initial armor campaigns in Poland were not completely successful and changes were needed before the invasion of France. This book examines the organizational changes, developments in doctrine and tactics, and improved command and control that provided the basis for the spectacular success of the Panzer divisions in 1940. Although the Panzerwaffe was still largely inferior to its enemies in terms of both tank numbers and quality, it effectively adapted and developed those doctrines and principles of warfare that had shaped German fighting since the 19th century. Achieving tactical and operational surprise, the Panzer divisions succeeded in breaking through enemy defences in the Ardennes and enveloping a large number of hostile forces at Dunkirk. The legend of the Blitzkrieg was born.

Author Biography

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in military history at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing titles and essays on military history subjects. A contributor to the Italian Army Historical Office, he is currently revising his PhD thesis for publication, The War of the Axis: German and Italian Military Partnership in World War Two, 1939-1943. The author lives in Foligno, Italy.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
Combat mission	p. 5
The genesis of the Panzer Divisions	p. 7
Doctrine and training	p. 12
Unit organization	p. 15
The divisions
Reconnaissance
Divisional artillery Anti-tank units
Pionier units
Support units
Tactics	p. 49
Movement
Attacking
Weapons and equipment	p. 55
Tanks
Facing the enemy
Pionier and Panzerjager troops
Divisional artillery
Reconnaissance
Command, control, communications and intelligence	p. 66
Combat operations	p. 73
4. Panzer Division at the River Bzura, Poland
Hannut: the first tank vs. tank battle The breakthrough at Sedan
Checked at Gembloux Rommel's breakthrough at the Meuse
The counter-attack at Arras
Lessons learned	p. 89
Abbreviations and glossary	p. 91
Officers' ranks equivalents
Bibliography	p. 93
Index	p. 95
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