View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the state of strategic thinking about the use of tanks in the German high command as of 1938?

2. Hitler's arrival in what Austrian city affected him deeply?

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

4. What was the diplomatic result of Germany's invasion of Poland?

5. Late in the first Winter of the campaign against Russia, trucks, and railroads were mostly replaced by what other mode of transportation for supplies?

Short Essay Questions

1. In 1933, how did the various leaders of the German military feel about tanks?

2. What diplomatic event immediately proceeded the invasion of Poland?

3. What happened in Linz during the German march on Austria?

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

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

6. What post did Hitler want to promote Guderian to; why was Guderian hesitant, and what was the outcome of the offer?

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

8. When and by whom were tanks first introduced?

9. Describe the basic components of a Panzer division.

10. Why did the German forces face difficulties during the first winter of the Russian campaign.

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

The unification, or Anschluss with Austria, was one of Hitler's first major moves on the world diplomatic stage. The annexation set the tone for Hitler's aggressive political and military campaigns intended to unite all German-speaking people and create a new German empire.

1) Explain the relationship between Austria and Germany and discuss why Austria was willing to participate in the unification.

2) Discuss the course of the actual march on Austria, including Guderian involvement in it. Describe how the Germans were met in Austria and how the Germans reacted to this.

3) Summarize the advantages Germany gained as a result of the Anschluss, both material and diplomatic.

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)

This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample