Panzer Divisions: The Blitzkrieg Years 193940

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Description

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Germany's armoured forces - the Panzerwaffe - were still in their infancy. The restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles meant that German tank production lagged behind its enemies. Initial armour campaigns in Poland were not overly 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. Achieving tactical and operational surprise, the Panzer divisions broke through enemy defences, enveloping a large number of hostile forces at Dunkirk. The legend of the Blitzkrieg was born.

Reviews

"Pier Paolo Battistelli's Panzer Divisions: The Blitzkrieg Years 1939-40 follows a German division relatively late to armored warfare, but which formed a formidable 'lightning war' contribution to its side. this focus on the tactics, weaponry and strategies of the Panzer Divisions is an excellent choice for any in-depth World War II military library." --The Bookwatch (February 2008)

"It is a book that puts new light to the use of these divisions and helps the historian understand why the tactics of the early war were not successful in later years. A book that is both interesting, informative, and provides a good source of inspiration for modelers as well." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (December 2007)

Author Bio

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History from the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is a freelance writer on historical subjects and has worked with several publishers and institutions in Italy and abroad.