Inside the Nazi War Machine

February 28, 2011
Expert military strategist Alexander examines the battles that left the armies of Holland, France, Great Britain, and Belgium in ruins, revealing the methods Nazi Germany used in a six-week period in 1940 that ultimately led to the surrender of France. Maneuver warfare, or blitzkrieg, is a very quick and concentrated attack using groups of tanks supported by aircraft that aims to leave a gaping hole in the enemy's front. Alexander attributes the German success to the individual leadership the Germans granted subordinate commanders and, in turn, the army's flexibility. Generals Erwin Rommel, Erich von Manstein, and Heinz Guderian are credited with developing this excellent strategy, yet despite its efficacy, Hitler's stubborn vision of conquering the Soviet Union and exterminating Europe's Jewish population ultimately cost Germany the war. With a presentation of his extensive knowledge using both maps and the reconstruction of battles, Alexander's military expertise prevails best when he highlights the costly mistakes made by the German army during the war. Photos.

October 1, 2010

Despite the misleading title, this is a perfectly respectable narrative of the opening days of the war, when some daring and well-executed tactics swamped the French and British forces. This is not an examination of the development of the innovative combined arms tactics or of the generals, but it's a lively narrative, effectively retelling the disaster that culminated in Dunkirk. A good addition to basic military history collections.

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