Publisher's abstract: The author of the book “Memoirs of a Soldier” is former Colonel General of the Wehrmacht tank forces Heinz Guderian, who took an active part in the implementation of Hitler’s plans for the “blitzkrieg war”. “Memoirs” is a unique document of the era, telling about the dramatic events of European and world history in the period 1939-1945.

Hoaxer: This text is reproduced from the edition of G. Guderian, “Memoirs of a Soldier”, M.: Military Publishing House, 1954, and that publication was, accordingly, a translation of the German - H. Guderian. Erinnerungen eines Soldaten. Heidelberg, 1951. In 1954, during the translation, significant editing was made - that is, bills. For example, Guderian's description of the Berlin negotiations between Molotov and Hitler was cut out. (In the corresponding note I have restored historical justice); and the tank school in Kazan, mentioned by Guderian, turned into a faceless “tank school on foreign territory.” Heinz (actually Heinz, but that’s how it happened) Guderian is, naturally, extremely subjective in his memoirs. Of course, the fact that he does not try to discredit what is dear to him to please yesterday’s opponents evokes respect. Guderian evokes respect and respect for his Western opponents (Heinz is at first condescending towards Russian opponents, and then only grinds his teeth in impotent anger) and for German soldiers. However, the overly “fast Heinz” whitewashes himself and the Wehrmacht. And he himself is not without sin - he was cruel towards his fellow officers, taking part together with Rundstedt in the sessions of the People's Tribunal for the conspiracy on July 20, 1944, not to mention the fact that he did not favor our civilian population in 1941, issuing orders contrary to the spirit and letter of the laws of warfare. In his 2nd Army, few prisoners were taken at all; they were killed on the spot - there was no time to bother with them. And from Guderian’s descriptions of his conversations with Hitler, it becomes clear that the brave tankman, starting in 1943, almost openly called the Fuhrer an idiot, explaining it to him on his fingers for two hours. Guderian goes to the Fuhrer, everyone hides, and the Fuhrer, having drunk on drugs, sits, trembling, and only Guderian on the threshold - when he jumps up, and let’s rage without rest. And Guderian knew everything, and he understood everything, and he saw where everything was going, and he just couldn’t explain it, like a dog. In general, there is no reason for Guderian to try on angel wings. He did not fight, and only regrets that he was not able to reel in the tracks of the Anglo-French plutocrats in Dunkirk; but it didn’t work out - because of Hitler, and the frosts reaching absolute zero - to crush the Bolshevik hydra in its lair, but it didn’t work out there, but it didn’t work out here - and everything was solely under the influence of insurmountable circumstances, and not the skillful actions of the enemy and own mistakes. In general, Guderian is a fierce enemy, and our victory over him and Prussian wolves like him is all the more significant and pleasant.