Hitler's Panzer Generals

‘Already renowned for his brilliant studies of the war on the Eastern Front, David Stahel has once again used his forensic skills to great effect. Drawing on original research - notably a treasure trove of intimate correspondence, much of it never before published - Stahel has produced a revelatory portrait of the four Panzer commanders who spearheaded Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. These military giants of historical myth re-emerge as complex, vulnerable and often deeply troubled human beings, who loved their families and their country but were also unswervingly loyal to the Nazi cause. This is revisionist history of the highest order. It is also a superb read.’ Jonathan Dimbleby, author of Barbarossa: How Hitler Lost the War

‘In this penetrating, first-of-its-kind study, David Stahel critically examines the personal letters of the panzer generals. He skillfully strips away the layers of myth and exaggeration to reveal an intimate portrait of the men beneath-their personal lives, quirks, and flaws, as well as their complicity in Hitler’s genocidal project. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding not only of Germany’s command culture but the social world of the Third Reich.’ David A. Harrisville, author of The Virtuous Wehrmacht: Crafting the Myth of the German Soldier on the Eastern Front, 1941–1944

‘Superb. David Stahel has become the foremost historian chronicling the war on the Eastern Front and this new study of four of the panzer generals is a major contribution to our understanding of how and why the German Army fought as it did and the consequences of their approach. Completely original in its study, this marks the first time any historian has so meticulously peeled back the layers of German high command in the war. The result is revelatory, immensely thought-provoking, compelling, and, frankly, eye-opening. It is a quite brilliant piece of work and deserves to be widely read for generations to come.’ James Holland, author of Brothers in Arms

‘Stahel's intention to clarify 'who these men were beyond the stylized propaganda images' has undoubtedly succeeded. The characters of the four generals are much more clearly visible than before, as are the consequences that their ambition and political attitudes had for the conduct of the war.’ Christian Streit, Militärgeschichtliche Zeitschrift

‘Set primarily within the time frame of June-December 1941, Hitler's Panzer Generals is designed to complement the broader military narrative of the crucial first six months of the Barbarossa campaign. Stahel convincingly argues that these letters allow for a representative glimpse into how the senior German officer corps conceptualized operations in the East in their military, psychological, and criminal dimensions. And indeed, given their vivid detail and surprising candor, it is surprising how long this correspondence has been neglected from mainstream histories of Barbarossa.’ Meaghan McClure, H-War

‘Stahel’s newest work is an extremely valuable addition to literature on the Ostfront, namely for its approach of using these generals’ letters to gauge the internal landscape of German military elites during the initial phases of Operation Barbarossa. The choice to focus on specifically panzer generals, too, gives the work a distinct edge.’ Meaghan McClure, H-Net Reviews