Heinz Guderian

Guderian was a professional soldier. He commanded the the German panzer forces in Operation Barbarossa, but was dismissed for taking a timely step backward instead of pandering to Hitler's illusions. He was eventually recalled, but only when Germany's situation had become desperate. General Heinz Guderian was adjudged free of any connection to war crimes, and he did not stand trial at Nuremburg. He is the author of Panzer Leader (Penguin Classics).