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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. After the occupation of the Sudetenland, tension with which major nation grew?

2. On September 12th, Polish forces near what location surrendered in large numbers?

3. What date was the offensive against Brest-Litovsk initiated?

4. What unit was Guderian given command over for the march on Austria?

5. What happened to the Austrian army after the successful German march on that nation?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What tactical considerations did Guderian insist on in the planning of the invasion of France?

6. How did Germany prepare to counter the T34 tank?

7. What was the reaction in the Sudetenland when German motorized troops arrived?

8. What difficulties did Guderian face in the march on Austria?

9. What was Guderian's military service before World War I?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The July 20th assassination plot against Hitler ended with the killing of several top German military leaders, the light wounding of the Fuhrer, and the execution of most of the conspirators. The German officers who carried out the assassination attempt believed they could end the war by killing Hitler, but Guderian expressed doubt that Hitler's death would mean anything for Germany.

1) Explain the July 20th plot, including the people involved, the plan for the assassination, how the attack was carried out, and how successful the plan was.

2) Discuss the motivations of the conspirators and explain what they hoped to achieve through their actions.

3) Describe Guderian's attitude towards the assassination attempt, including a discussion of his criticisms of the methods used by the conspirators and their morals.

Essay Topic 2

Hitler's plan for the invasion of Russia assumed the campaign would be concluded before the next winter, an assumption that proved to be disastrously wrong. As the Russian winter set in, the organization of German forces fell apart and the army suffered major setbacks and defeats.

1) Explain some of the problems in Germany's preparations for the Russian winter.

2) Discuss the difficulties the Russian winter presented the German army with.

3) Describe the ways the Russian forces took advantage of German disorganization during this time.

4) Summarize the impact of the Russian winter on German morale and war-fighting capability.

Essay Topic 3

As the war turned against Germany, Hitler began to make increasingly serious defensive blunders, often refusing to allow troops to withdraw to defensible positions or to retreat when overwhelmed by enemy forces. These decisions cost many Germans their lives and turned the course of the war irrevocably against Germany.

1) Identify and explain the events that caused Germany to go on the defensive.

2) Describe, based on the German army's doctrine and mentality, how ready the German forces were to fight a defensive war.

3) Use examples from the book to explain some situations were German military leaders recommended prudent defensive strategies, such as tactical withdrawals.

4) Explain or speculate as to why Hitler refused these recommendations, and explain the consequences of these decisions.

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This section contains 850 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample