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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Hitler feel it was reasonable to occupy the Sudetenland?

2. What type of vehicle was the Tiger?

3. The German Reichstag was equivalent to which of the following?

4. Guderian suggested a plan for the Western campaign that had what characteristic?

5. What was the first major action taken by Guderian against Brest-Litovosk?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Hitler affected by his visit to Linz?

2. What did Guderian do while on inactive service?

3. Why was Guderian not satisfied after the armistice with France?

4. Why did Guderian believe France wanted to avoid real fighting?

5. As of March 1942, how was Germany governed?

6. What was the impact of the T34 tank on the German military?

7. What did the Russian army do in Poland during Germany's invasion?

8. Describe the plan advocated by Field Marshall Manstein for the invasion of France.

9. Describe some of the advantages of tanks over other military units and formations.

10. What happened to the rest of Czechoslovakia after Germany occupied the Sudetenland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the time Guderian was dismissed from active service, the German armored forces fell into disarray. The Panther and Tiger tanks were introduced, with limited initial success. As divisions were destroyed and tanks fell into disrepair, the entire armored forces threatened to collapse.

1) Explain why the Tiger and Panther tanks were developed and discuss Guderian's opinion as to why they were not initially very effective.

2) Discuss the problems that German tank production, maintenance, and repair faced as the war progressed.

3) Describe some of the problems in organization that faced the German armored forces. How did these circumstances differ from those at the outset of the war?

Essay Topic 2

Coming from an unimportant family and rising out of the junior officer corps, Guderian did not have a long-standing relationship with Hitler. However, Guderian's natural talents eventually caused him to be drawn into the Fuhrer's inner circle. Guderian developed strong feelings about Hitler as a leader and his influence on the war and the German people.

1) Trace the course of Guderian and Hitler's relationship through the end of the war. Describe how Guderian was first introduced to this leader and how he gained Hitler's confidence.

2) Explain in detail the major conflicts that occurred between these individuals.

3) Discuss what Guderian believed to be Hitler's most important strengths and weaknesses.

Essay Topic 3

After breaking through Belgium and Luxembourg, the German forces routed French and allied divisions, sending them fleeing North to the channel and south to the heart of France. The English expeditionary force was badly disorganized and compacted into a small area at Dunkirk, where they were slowly evacuated. Many military leaders wanted to launch a massive ground attack against these forces, but Hitler indulged Goering's desire to demonstrate the power of the German Luftwaffe by destroying the English from the air. This proved more difficult than planned, and most of the English army escaped.

1) Discuss the events that caused the English army to be cornered at Dunkirk.

2) Explain the opinions of Guderian and other military leaders about what should have been done to wipe out the English army.

3) Explain the reasons that caused Hitler to send only the Luftwaffe to attack this vulnerable position.

4) Summarize the Luftwaffe's attempts to wipe out the English.

5) Using information from the book and Guderian's personal insights, speculate how the war could have gone differently had ground forces been allowed to attack Dunkirk en masse.

(see the answer keys)

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