Guderian's XIXth Panzer Corps and the Battle of France : Breakthrough in the Ardennes, May 1940

Certain to become the definitive work in English on the Battle of France, this volume is a long overdue and much needed correction to all previous English accounts. With extensive use of primary sources and strong secondary sources, it places us closer to the actual operational planning, preparation, and deployment of one of the most successful military operations in recent history. It covers major changes made by the German Army after the Polish Campaign; and the infighting surrounding these changes; the reorganization and preparation of the Army for the Battle of France. It also provides the only detailed day-by-day breakdown of German action during the battle's first five critical days. According to S. J. Lewis, it provides a totally new perspective to these battles and a unique view of the German Army. This volume covers extensive ground and uses numerous appendices and detailed biographical sketches to set the stage for its primary focus--a five day period during the Battle of France. Similar to the Allied Invasion of Normandy, the campaign plan for the Battle of France required six months to develop and elaborate. As a result, this reading provides an ideal opportunity to observe the World War II German Army performing its military work and an insightful look at the friction inherent in campaign planning and on the battlefield.