Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzers?

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Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzers?

Postby Woodlouse2002 » Sat Mar 15, 2003 7:09 am

In 1940 when the BEF was being driven back accross France by the German army it seem like every thing was going well for Hitler. Then When the British and French Armies was on the beaches of Dunkirk Hitler suddenly and inexplicably told his panzers to stop. Why did he do this?

The official story is that Goering told hitler that the Luftwaffe could wipe out the BEF with out the help of the forces on the ground. If this is the case then it failed miserably with almost all the men on the beach getting off.

Another theory is this. If you capture 300,000+ men what are you going to do with them? 300,000 is alot of people and they would require feeding aswell so surely it was not economically viable to take the whole British army prisoner.

And finally (and this is the theory I like best). In 1940 Hitler still thought that he could make a negotiated peace with Britain. After all Britain had a huge Empire that Hitler greatly admired and the last thing he really wanted was to be at war with England as his main aim was to conquer Russia.

So. What do you people think?
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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby HawkerTempest5 » Sat Mar 15, 2003 8:19 am

I've come accross these theories before and I also like the idea of the last one. The official story was, as you said, Goering wanting the Luftwaffe to do the job, but I'm sure Hitler would have pulled the plug on this after a couple of days had that really been the case.
Interesting topic!
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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby ozzy72 » Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:34 am

I think he stopped them because Panzers can't swim! The tend to be about as sound as the Titanic when in water!

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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby Hagar » Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:42 am

Interesting question Woody. I have often pondered this myself. Who can explain the often incomprehensible decisions taken by Hitler? From reading books on the subject by respected authors like Len Deighton I have come to my own conclusions.

The Panzer units had advanced quickly right across several countries. They were cut off from support with supplies running out & the crews were tired. The German command had no experience of naval operations & could not see any way out for the BEF. They were virtually surrounded with nowhere to go. Apparently Goering wanted to demonstrate the superiority of his air force & volunteered to show what they could do. It would seem natural to rest the Panzers & let the Luftwaffe do the job. If they failed the rested tank crews would be able to mop up at their leisure. Without the brilliant efforts of Admiral Ramsey this would most likely have happened.

I've seen many accounts from Dunkirk survivors & they nearly all ask "Where was the bloody RAF?". This caused much resentment between the services which in some cases lasted throughout WWII. In fact they were operating throughout Operation Dynamo & had many successes especially against the unescorted Ju 87s. Prior to Dunkirk the RAF had suffered severe losses of their own. "Home defence was reduced to 331 Spitfires and Hurricanes, supported by 150 'second line' fighters - Blenheims, Defiants, and Gladiators. ....... In just eight days of operations at Dunkirk, 60 pilots of Fighter Command were killed, 15 sustained injuries, 8 were taken prisoner, and 2 were missing presumed killed"

The action took place out of sight of the beachead but this did make the Luftwaffe operation much less effective. The RAF were still using outdated combat techniques & much was learned during this period. As discussed in another thread the fighters were not really suitable for operating too far from base & had a limited time over target of 10 - 15 minutes. The Luftwaffe escort fighters would suffer the same handicap during the BoB.
Last edited by Hagar on Sat Mar 15, 2003 12:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby Oso » Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:42 am

I believe Hitler did indeed want an alliance with Britian. And he would have got it if it wasn't for Churchill.

There is a very interesting unbiased book about Hitler, by a Brit Military Officer.

David Irvings - - Hitler's War

Read that and you will get a whole new perspective on the War and it's Leaders.

One thing I have learned over the years in my search for the "Truth" was that Churchill and Roosevelt were not any  better morally or more righteous than Tojo, Stalin or Hitler. They just did it in smaller numbers, didn't get caught, they had the Press on their side, and since they won they got write the Histories.

But, would less have been able to win the war? Doubtful.
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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby Zero_Bubble » Sat Mar 15, 2003 8:35 pm

:( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Battles and wars are won and lost as the result of decisions. Good decisions usually come from good knowledge, vast experience, reliable sources of men and material, daring, bluffing and pure luck. Hitler was a corporal before becoming a chanellor. He was a good politician but a lousy tactician. He made some "corporal type" decisions in Dunkirk and blew it. There were many bad decisions made by militarists from all nations. Examples are Dieppe, Battle of the Philippine Sea, Dien Bien Phu, Singapore, Stalingrad, The Ardennes, and many others resulting in near disaster. Hitler and his staff simply made a lousy decision during Dunkirk, no ifs, ands and buts.

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Re: Dunkirk. Why did Hitler really stop the Panzer

Postby Professor Brensec » Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:49 am

Having read at great length of the if, buts and maybes' of the war (as, I'm sure, we all have), I have found that in most things that are not "carved in stone", there are plentiful theories, suggestions and even "so called" first hand accounts.

This question has always been a wonderment, even during the war. I tend to aspire to the fact that Hitler did still hold out hope for a peaceful settlement with Britain. After all, they were only in it because of "some foolish Polish/Franco alliance of which they were not worthy" (Hitlers words). So why would they continue to resist after these two weak partners had been defeated. He had offered them a complete and free hand in their Empire, so long as he got one in his Reich. (as if an assurance from Hitler was worth a spit).

Their are as many other theories as to why he called the tanks off as there are possibilities. I've even heard one concerning advice from his astrologer, that it was not a good day, or some such rot.

In my opinion, his one and only worst mistake in the west was suddenly switching the bomber attacks from airfields to London on Sept. 7th.
If he'd have known how terribly close the RAF was to collapse at that point, he probably would have shot himself a long time earlier than he did........lol.

That's what you get for being vindictive.  ;D ;D ;)
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