Blitzkrieg, myth or reality

[otto]

hi alte hog here

I'm interested in the debate about was there such a think as 'Blitzkrieg' or is it a myth made up by journalist before the war or after? Is there any evidence that says that the German's used 'Blitzkrieg' actions during ww2.
lets chat about it!
otto

[Irwin]

/moved here because it was posted in gunter's place of barbarism.

blitzkrieg: I am unsure whether the germans themselves used the term. but if you define it as a tactic whereby an armoured thrust supported by all arms is used to pierce a front line and then manouver in depth, thereby spreading chaos in the rear echelons and encircling the enemy, then yes they did most certainly use it.

but as with so many things german and lovely, it was a british invention

[Irwin]

well, the stormtroops I think were mid ww1. From what I remember they were more or less self-sufficient assault companies with a variety of weaponry: MGs flame, etc etc, capable and encouraged to operate in small groups with a high degree of independance. Though capable of small scale successes it was never really going to be a war winning tactic as of itself. With the advent of full motorisation and air support though it became possible to exploit any localised breakthrough in much greater depth, so yes I guess BK is probably an extension of those principles.

Also, and this is nearly always forgotten by military historians, is that BK was also a psychological tactic, something seized on and enhanced by hitler, who was way before his time on this stuff. (shock and awe? heh, took america a few years to catch up ).

hence the design of the panzers: they had to LOOK right as well as work well. and the screams of the stukas, the crunch of the jackboot, the rows of grey helmets etc etc etc. I guess that that psychological impact is still with us to this day, and would go some way to explaining all those uniforms in our wardrobe!!!)

[Irwin]

lol, yes it all was. in fact hitler's reliance on the psychological effect of warfare screwed the jet fighter program. he wanted a "blitz bomber" capable of attacking unopposed in rear areas creating panic, and so changed the role of the fighter then in an advanced stage of production to a pretty rubbish light bomber, which was then changed back too late.

[Hoffman Grink]

Veering slightly off topic here Hitler in fact got his "BlitzBomber" in the shape of the Arado234. This unarmed light bomber was uncatchable and used for photoreconaissance missions as well as to attempt to bomb the famous Bridge at Remagen. They were escorted by ME262s on this mission and RAF Tempests tried to intercept them......

Back to topic
Did Hitler ever sayt he word "Blitzkrieg"? I think he did and I'm looking up his speeches... Will take some time but I'll get there..... I think they did coin the phrase themselves...... They certainly coined the words Totaleskrieg and Glaubenskrieg so why not BlitzKrieg? They didn't get many things right so at least give 'em this one!