Lightning War - Blitzkrieg in the West, 1940

In the early days of World War II, a Messerschmitt-108 "Typhoon" carrying two men crashed in a snow-covered thicket in Belgium. On board that plane were top secret plans for Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Western Europe. Despite attempts to destroy the documents, enough pieces survived to reveal to the Allies significant elements of a German offensive across neutral Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. An enraged Hitler, fearing that his invasion plan had been compromised, decided to postpone the German offensive until a new plan of attack could be drawn up. This decision would produce his greatest military triumph of the war. It was also destined to be his last significant victory.
Lightning War is an authoritative examination of the crushing German victory over the Western Allies in May and June 1940. Based on extensive archival research using German, French, British, Belgian, and Dutch sources and incorporating materials not available to previous historians of the campaign, this engrossing book is the first to cover this significant, audacious operation as a whole, examining the issues from all sides.

History professor and author Ronald Powaski focuses on those who fought the conflict–– from politicians and generals to foot soldiers, sailors, and airmen–– and the dramatic events they shaped and witnessed. He raises and answers important and intriguing questions about the blitzkrieg victory, such as:

Did Hitler allow the British to escape at Dunkirk?

Why was France–– which possessed one of the most powerful military machines in Europe–– defeated in only six weeks?

Why was Hitler’s victory in the West destined to be his last?

Featuring page after page of rich detail and remarkable insight into military strategy and tactics, Lightning War offers a compelling and thorough look at the events of those uncertain, crucial days.