Hitler's Panzer Generals

Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded

By: David Stahel

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Germany's success in the Second World War was built upon its tank forces; however, many of its leading generals, with the notable exception of Heinz Guderian, are largely unknown. This biographical study of four German panzer army commanders serving on the Eastern Front is based upon their unpublished wartime letters to their wives. David Stahel offers a complete picture of the men conducting Hitler's war in the East, with an emphasis on the private fears and public pressures they operated under. He also illuminates their response to the criminal dimension of the war as well as their role as leading military commanders conducting large-scale operations. While the focus is on four of Germany's most important panzer generals-Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt, and Schmidt-the evidence from their private correspondence sheds new light on the broader institutional norms and cultural ethos of the Wehrmacht's Panzertruppe.

©2023 David Stahel (P)2024 Tantor

Unique and intriguing study of the Panzer Leaders of 1941

This was a delightful surprise - a quick and entertaining listen. Well-organized, each bite-size section almost stands alone and the reader can easily leap from section to section to review and reinforce understanding.

Stahel pulls no punches - the record of each Panzer General is laid wide open. The source material has limits but the trove is deep enough and rich enough to provide unique and novel insight into lesser-known aspects of these men’s careers.

I admit I was initially nonplussed with the thought that his next major work was going to be biographical in nature. Followers of Stahel’s East Front works will surely enjoy this continuation and the additional perspectives provided.

boring

he just talks about letters and how many or less generals wrote in every chapter boring.