In September 1939, the armies of Nazi Germany invaded
Poland and revealed a stunning new approach to modern
warfare. The coordinated use of armor and aircraft to attack
effectively with both surprise and speed transfixed an outraged
world and ushered in a new era of warfare.
In this detailed look at blitzkrieg, or lightning war, Marcus
Jones explores its origins, considers its successes and implications,
and dispels myths that have arisen about the concept in
the postwar period, thus offering a more critical undestanding
of one of the Second World War’s most important military
innovations.
Jones is a professor in the department of history, U.S. Naval
Academy.