re: The Tank Museum unveils the world’s only running Königstiger

quote:

---

As a fighting force, I feel the Wehrmacht of the Second World War is vastly overrated.

---

lol.

Yes... I saw their Facebook post about having both Tanks out at the same time.

quote:

---

If you have another contender, I’m very willing to listen to your arguments. But in my over 40 years of deep and extensive study of military history ranging from pre-Roman times to today, I still contend the Imperial German Army, especially in 1914, was, in its time, arguably the best army of the 20th century.

---

Do you mind cliff's notes for those genuinely interested?

quote:

---

As a fighting force, I feel the Wehrmacht of the Second World War is vastly overrated.

---

quote:

---

lol

---

It’s not arguable that what the Wehrmacht achieved in WWII is nothing short of amazing. This is especially true when you look at the resources as its disposal compared to the resources available to its adversaries.

I’d still rank it behind the Imperial German Army though.

quote:

---

Do you mind cliff's notes for those genuinely interested?

---

Look at what they did from 1914-1918.

Through four years of war, they held their own on the Western Front against the two most powerful nations on the planet. At the same time, on the Eastern Front, they were winning victory after victory against the Russian Empire with one hand tied behind their back. They were constantly having to come to the aid of the Austro-Hungarian Empire because they absolutely sucked. This forced them to divert valuable resources away from the Western Front to sure up the Eastern Front. Unlike in World War II, however, the Germans actually beat the Russians.

Then, after defeating Russia, they diverted troops to the Italian Front (which had been a literal stalemate since 1915) and absolutely CRUSHED the Italian Army at the Battle of Caporetto. Had the United States not joined the war there is a distinct possibility that the First World War ends in a German victory. The British and French were absolutely exhausted after three and a half years of war. If not for American reinforcements in the German's Spring Offensive of 1918, there's a chance the Central Powers hold on and win.

The American Army in 1944-45 was the greatest military force the world has ever seen - and it's not particularly close. It's technical capabilities, logistical support, medical care, mobility, firepower, communications and signals, reconnaissance...the entirety of its abilities have never been as overwhelming in respect to both its opponents and allies.

Seeing that coming at you on a battlefield would most definitely suck.

Devil's advocate, If only they made them reliable

quote:

---

What in your opinion made them such a force they they were able to do that?

---

Well, first and foremost their General Staff was the envy of Europe at the time. They were highly professional and advanced purely on merit. Much like their descendants in the Second World War, junior officers and NCOs were trusted to show initiative in a decentralized command system. They were given this amount of trust because the Imperial German Army was a highly trained fighting force built upon a large reserve that could be mobilized rapidly. Their railroads were heavily militarized and meticulously planned, which enabled them to mobilize and concentrate their vast reserves faster and more efficiently than any rival power. They were also technologically and doctrinally sound. Their heavy artillery was efficient at reducing the most powerful forts in Europe while their field artillery was both well-coordinated and organized. Their defensive firepower, particularly with the machine gun, stymied the British and the French on the Western Front for the better part of four years.

quote:

---

Should be on the tank museum

---