But, in the final analysis, what of the man, the compassionate being who could write such tender letters to his wife and who could feel profound sorrow for Hitler, a man without ‘friendship with fine men, the pure love for a wife, affection of one’s own children’? It is the transmitted warmth of Guderian and his joy in warmth among others which makes him pre-eminent among great generals. Embraced as he was by his professional calling, he performed his duty with sincerity under most hazardous and complicated conditions.
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Comparative Table of Officers’ Ranks in the German, British and American Armies
German British American
Generalfeldmarschall Field-Marshal General of the Army
Generaloberst General General
General der (Arm) Lt-General Lt General
Generalleutnant Major-General Major General
Generalmajor Brigadier Brigadier General
Oberst Colonel Colonel
Oberstleutnant Lt-Colonel Lt Colonel
Major Major Major
Hauptmann Captain Captain
Oberleutnant Lieutenant 1st Lieutenant
Leutnant 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant
Oberfähnrich Senior Officer Cadet Senior Officer Cadet
Fähnrich Officer Cadet Officer Cadet
Leutnant Heinz Guderian – 1908
Guderian in 1915 with Gretel and Heinz-Günther
A wireless station of the German army, 1914, of the type commanded by Guderian
Driving the Swedish derivation of the German LK II tank in 1928
The Inspectorate of Motorised Troops, 1932. Front row, left to right Nehring, Lutz, Guderian
The demonstration at Kummersdorf, 1934: on Hitler’s right hand, Hermann Göring, on his left, Guderian
The demonstration at Kummersdorf, 1934: Blomberg, Hitler, Göring, Guderian.
The parade of exoneration for von Fritsch in August 1938. Guderian greets his old chief
The Polish Corridor, 5th September 1939. Guderian shakes Hitler’s hand while Himmler polishes his spectacles
PzKpfw IVD with short 75mm gun of 1939. The first Pz IVs were built in 1936
The Command Group in operation: orders on the march
Guderian in his command vehicle in France, June 1940, with his radio and Enigma operators at work
During the drive to the Swiss frontier: Guderian receives orders from the C-in-C, von Brauchitsch; Nehring watches (right)
Action in France
Products of the Panzertruppe
Sturmgeschütz III of 1940 with short, low velocity 75mm gun
Franz Halder
With von Rundstedt after the French campaign
A prestige portrait of Guderian shortly before the invasion of Russia, 1941
Action in Russia: after a journey to the front
Action in Russia: Guderian emerges from a ditch after Russian bombs have exploded
The shock at Tolochino: first sight of the T 34s
‘Anger gives you a thirst!’
The creators of panzer communications photographed in Russia, 1941. Left to right: Generals Erich Fellgiebel and Heinz Guderian with Colonel Albert Praun. [Nachrichtungruppe]
With Panzer Regiment 35, 9th August 1941. The officers’ expressions tell their own story of confidence in their leader
Kluger Hans and Schneller Heinz
Sturmgeschütz III F (Jagdpanzer) of 1941 with long high velocity 75mm gun
Jagdpanthers with 88mm gun in 1944. By this time Guderian had grown satisfied with these powerful anti-tank AFVs as complementary to tanks
Tiger
Panther
The Chief of the General Staff with Hitler Youth in 1944
Guderian in panzer uniform discusses operations with Wenck, autumn 1944
Guderian: Panzer General Page 34