Aircraft

[Poor Yorek]

I didn't "dismiss" Guderian, but I have read enough to know that one does not take Guderian - or for that matter most of the other German generals interviewed post war - simply at their word: one should read them critically as they were men motivated by virtue as well as vice (e.g. Dinardo in "Germany's Panzer Arm in WWII" also by Stackpole, asserts (p. 93) that Guderian tried to appropriate for himself post-war the role of panzer 'guru' at the expense of many others such as Erich von Tschischwitz and Fritz Heigl). One should also note that American generals were wont to argue amongst themselves about their own areas of command (just look at the documented battles over the efficacy of the strategic air campaign that still is debated).

Please also note that whilst I referred to a derivative work, all of the citations I made from that work were themselves citations of primary sources, to which non-specialists or non-academics have little access (or at least require more than just a quick google search). I provided page numbers that include the footnotes that the author cited where all you suggest is an internet search; nor do you refute the data I offered nor offer data in support of a contrary position. All you seem to suggest is that we take Guderian's word for it. So please don't tell me to "check footnotes and bibliographies" - I do that professionally when I have published in the scientific literature.

I don't understand your point about the Hitler Jugend or the 21st panzer at least how it would apply to my admittedly simple (i.e. message board) example? Sure, I used an example of my SPW251 grenadier with two extremes - a range that would clearly be "at the front" - i.e. could expect to come under direct fire - and a range that clearly was "away from the front" - 50 miles was arbitrary, but within tactical air range. If you wish to remonstrate about 2000m, 5000m, or some other "grey area" in between that defines a division's or corps' defense-in-depth, as to what defines "the front" be my guest, but at PG's scale "at the front" I suggest means within proximity to DF or AT. The reference from Jarymowycz supports the claim that when engaged in combat by DF/AT fire at the ranges of PG, German tank crews were worried about Allied AT fire, not so much tactical aircraft. If you have an alternative reference that refutes this claim, then I would welcome being provided the source. I'm not beholden to Jarymowycz's thesis, but I would expect a rebuttal to be as well documented.