From Normandy to the Ruhr by Heinz Gunther Guderian

Price: 49.95

The 116. Panzer Division fought exclusively on the Western Front in the campaigns of Normandy, Falaise Pocket, Aachen, Hurtgen Forest, Ardennes, Rhineland, and the Ruhr Pocket.

Operations Officer, Heinz Gunther Guderian, was uniquely situated to tell the story beginning with background on the 16. Panzergrenadier Division in Russia, and the formation of the 116. Panzer, "Windhund," Division in spring 1944. He was present in all subsequent combat actions.

 As the son of Generaloberst Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, the mastermind of the Wehrmacht’s mobile combined arms organizations and tactics, he understood the relationships of command, forces, morale, and supply on the outcome of battles. He describes the thinking and actions of such high ranking officers as Generalfeldmarschall Rommel, Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model, General von Funck, and General Hasso von Manteuffel, and their effects on the 116. Panzer Division and its performance. For example, he tells of the intrigue behind Count von Schwerin's conflict with General von Funck, his relief, twice in two months, and the impact of the associated turbulence on the division in combat. More importantly, the author provides specific evidence of the catastrophic consequences of political correctness, when it infects the chain of command and results in lost battles and lost lives.

Battles are covered in quite good detail, including times, places, units, unit strengths, and the enemy units and strengths. Guderian also gives much information on the division commanders Count von Schwerin and Siegfried von Waldenburg. But, other regimental and battalion commanders such as Johannes Bayer, Kuno von Meyer, and Eberhard Stephan are discussed as well. Even individual heroes such as Panzer Ace, Joachim Weissflog, are described, as are their actions in combat. He gives special mention to those awarded the Knight's Cross.

At 607 pages, with 26 maps and 64 photos, the appendices include detailed orders of battle, and tables of organization and equipment, and orders.

This book is extremely valuable for an understanding of armored combat in the Western Front. However, for a scenario designer, it contains a wealth of information and detail rarely found in other books.