Campaign in France

(Blitzkrieg)

Sg. Maj.Banaurs Daniel

GR.21C
 Agenda
• Introduction
• Heinz Guderian
• Mode of action
• Campaign in France
• Conclusions
 Introduction

The strategy that shattered Poland,

Netherlands, Belgium, France and
Russia in World War II is due to one
man, General Heinz Guderian.            
   Its tactic known as the "Blitzkrieg
doctrine" involves speed and
cooperation between tanks, motorized
infantry and aviation, along with an
efficient communications system..
 Heinz Guderian

Born in 1888 in Kulm, he joined the army at the age of

19 after attending several military schools between
1901-1907.         
   In 1908 he became a lieutenant after graduating
from the Military Academy of Metz.          
  The First World War served as a broadcasting officer,
after specializing in armored vehicles. After the end of
the war he was promoted to major and was appointed
supervisor of motorized infantry tactics stationed in
Berlin.        
    In October 1935, Guderian was appointed
commander of one of the three newly created Panzer
divisions, for general promotion in 1938..
 Loyalty and patriotism
 
Aware of Germany's imminent defeat, Guderian
still remains loyal to Hitler, as his military honor
demanded. After the surrender of Germany on
May 10, 1945, Guderian surrendered to American
troops. Remains in American custody until June 17,
1948. His behavior on the battlefield is not
considered incorrect, he is not charged in
Nuremberg. Guderian died on May 14, 1954, at
age 65, in Schwangau.
 Mode of action
The Germans chose a central point of enemy defense,
on which they mobilized all forces: ground, mechanized,
air, to create a breach. Once this was done, the
commanders told the subordinates what they wanted
from them, and they were free to choose what method
they wanted. This method of control was much faster
than that of the opponents, who were grouping slower.

The Germans attacked the communications

centers in order to instil chaos in the enemy's
camp and then attack the "peripheries" of the
enemy army..
 Campaign in France
(May 10 1940)

The battle consisted of two operations.

 In the first phase, called Fall Gelb (Yellow Plan), the
German armored groups entered through Ardennes to
isolate and encircle the French units that advanced into
Belgium. During the fighting, the French forces were
repelled to the English Channel by the very mobile and
better organized German forces.
The second phase of the battle, called Fall Rot (Red
Plan), began on June 5. If at first French forces opposed
strong resistance, German air superiority and the mobility
of armored forces overwhelmed defensively. German
troops encircled the Maginot Line and advanced deep into
French territory. Paris, the capital of France, was occupied
on June 14th.
 Conclusions
• The opinions of historians are divided. Although most believe
in Blietzkrieg, many say that it is not the invention of the
Germans, but was taken from previous military experience. In
support of these claims is the fact that the German army did
not use the names "Blitzkrieg" in any military document.
• But where did the word come from? In September 1939,
during the invasion of Poland, a Times reporter apparently
used the term to describe the German attack. The Blitzkrieg's
weaknesses were rugged, mountainous or forested terrain,
mud and snow, which prevented German tanks from
advancing at full speed.
Thank you for your attention!
Questions?