Hermann Balck: Germany's Forgotten Panzer General?

Today, we're diving into the life and legacy of one of World War II's most enigmatic and effective military leaders no one ever heard of-Hermann Balck, Despite being one of the most talented Panzer generals in the German army, his name often escapes the spotlight that shines on other, more well-known figures like Erwin Rommel Heinz Guderian and Erich von Mannstein. In this video, we will explore the strategies and battlefield maneuvers that earned Balck legendary status among his peers.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:30 Balck's Military career
09:54 Outro
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[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Balck's memoirs are required reading as it is the best German general officer memoir. It is honest and meticulous in its documentation by a man who was incredibly self-aware. "Order in Chaos" is actually more valuable for his insights on the political and historical events in Germany than its very ample and incredibly well documented military narrative. Whereas his military career was absolutely brilliant, he was an even better psychologist. His father was a general so he had access to leading personalities of the Kaiser Reich most young officers did not. His assessments of Wilhelm II and other leading figures is immensely valuable, as well as insights on the German people. His evaluation of the Hungarians, Finns, Romanians and Italians is also quite interesting, and as it turns out, correct. His insights on Hitler, and friendships with Guderian, Manstein and Wenck and the other leading German leaders is also very useful in understanding the true nature of Germany's decision making processes when the popular narrative spun by other German generals looking to burnish their reputations blames everything on Hitler. Balck calls this a cop-out, that simply calling Hitler insane "lets everyone off the hook for the collective disaster." The only blind spot he seems to have is understanding American politics and of course is not free of the typical German mindsets regarding how the Allies and Soviets should have interacted. But overall a great book.

[@HistoryInsideWW2]

Thank you for your contribution. Order in Chaos is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding not just military strategies, but also some of the socio-political landscapes of that era.

[@DaveSCameron]

I wasn’t aware that the cessation of the war also halted any written suggestions for awards, are you sure that this is correct?

[@user-uu2ys1xq3k]

신기술탱크많은보고놀라대박😮😮😮

[@RobertEHunt-dv9sq]

The question I pose to you is, Who really understands American politics?

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

@@RobertEHunt-dv9sq There are levels of understanding. But, he did very much understand the American military officer mentality stating: "An American officer's backbone is directly related to the rise or fall of American public opinion."

[@jayglithero524]

Balck wasn't forgotten by me. I read von Mellinthin's book describing Balck's defense of the Chir River with only 3 divisions. They fought by day and redeployed by night. I was impressed.

[@frankfischer1281]

Von Mellenthins' book describes the German Army being always outnumbered against the Soviets, and how German commanders, like Hermann Balck, had to constantly devise innovative tactics to keep from being overwhelmed. Desperate circumstances.

[@rickden8362]

Balck is a ''forgotten'' German general because his units aren't connected to war crimes, a major requirement it seems for extraordinary average German commanders in the spotlight.

[@paulwallis7586]

Order in Chaos is a fascinating book. The American translator didn't quite get a few points, like Balck's reference to "mixed blood" as some sort of racial thing, when it meant "mixed loyalties".If someone doesn't know who Balck is, he's not forgotten, but some people are truly illiterate. Nice to hear that History Inside has actually read the book.

[@p.d.stanhope7088]

Anyone interested in Balck's strategic thought processes, I highly recommend reading his book Order in Chaos.

[@alexbowman7582]

Panzer general Hans Valentin Hube was trapped fighting in the Stalingrad battle seemingly doomed to death or captivity when he received an order from Hitler to fly out the kessel but Hube replied “I took my men into Stalingrad, I’ve ordered them to fight to the last bullet, I intend to stay and show them how”, Hitler sent in a squad of his personal SS guards and an unsuspecting Hube was ordered to report to Paulus’s headquarters where he was jumped on and dragged out on a plane with a pistol to his head. Hube was killed in a plane crash a year later.

[@richardmiddleton4634]

I own both Von Mellinthin's Panzer Battles, and Balck's Order in Chaos, and found him to be an outstanding leader. One noteworthy entry in in Von Mellinthin's book regarding the 1943/44 Winter battles around Zhitomar, where Balck's masterful plans were slightly upset by a division commander who laagered his division overnight during an attack. Balck tore a strip off that commander for that oversight, Von Mellinthin dryly noted that in Back's world, divisions in combat rarely stopped. That nugget speaks loudly about Balck's character and drive in operations.

[@fredrictengstrom9522]

Yes.A fine man Thus almost forgotten.Thank you 4 uploading.Dr T

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Von Mellenthin's timeless classic "Panzer Battles" as the post points out, the author served under Herman Balck for some time. And Mellenthin invariably describes his superior with much admiration. Mellenthin served under several of the other legendary German commanders, including Rommel himself for a time, so this was high praise indeed. Balck was the type of commander whom the Germans were so good at developing, a leader who other men wanted to follow. His leadership was crucial in many battles and he rescued many battlefield situations from almost certain defeat. But, again as OP points out, he is practically unknown in the west.

[@infolover_68]

A humble commander, not hungry for popularity status...

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

Wow, I’ve admired Balck for decades - so surprised to see his name show up on KZbin. Great comments concerning comparisons with post war German General Staff autobiographies. Balck doesn’t embellish mistakes

[@anniebones7516]

I become engrossed with one of his fellow officers who is referred to as the devil's general his exploits are amazing

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

The Panzer Graf.

[@DonMeaker]

He was an instructor-contractor at the US command and staff school course.

[@edhodapp6465]

Balck is definitely my favorite German general.

[@randysurline4651]

He was top rated major general in hearts of iron 1

[@DonMeaker]

He had von Mellenthin as his 1A operations officer.

[@christopherthrawn1333]

Excellent work here

[@rubenhoraciogentili4578]

Bravo. Excelent video. Many thanks.

[@HistoryInsideWW2]

What are your thoughts on Hermann Balck? Do you think he is of one WW2's overlooked Panzer Generals? Discuss it in the comments down below👇

[@daniellebcooper7160]

This explains why his skill rating increases quickly in Hearts Of Iron. He was Competent.

[@Kaffemosterful]

It´s the same increase for all leaders from a country. German leaders has the best increase.

[@daniellebcooper7160]

@@Kaffemosterful I play arsenal of democracy, and not all leaders gain exp the same. and thats not including 'old guard'.

[@Kaffemosterful]

@@daniellebcooper7160 That is correct. Old guard is used in HOI also. Leaders with that trait gains exp. slower.

[@daniellebcooper7160]

@@Kaffemosterful Yes, though what i mean is, that generals like Balk, Von Both, Rommel, and Mainstien, gain exp quicker than other generals.

[@davidhimmelsbach557]

Col Schwartzkopf learned a lot from Balck in 1978's war game... hence the Gulf War in 1991.

[@tillposer]

4:52 Effectively, this means that he was awarded the Knight's Cross four times, after having received the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class in the current conflict, he had received both in WWI. Think of it as receiving the Distinguished Service Cross four times. The Knight's Cross with Oakleaf, Swords and Diamonds was not an individual medal. It interesting to note that the KC was not often rewarded posthumously, unlike the VC or the MoH.

[@ericowens964]

Good video. Thanks.

[@HistoryInsideWW2]

Thanks! Good to hear you liked it!

[@neilpk70]

I always mixed him and Hoth up.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Actually that's pretty funny in a way. Like any man who made it to the rank of Field Marshall in the wehrmacht, Hoth was highly competent but often chafed at the many senseless orders issued by Hitler. And a good dose of "reading between the lines" of the many German Marshalls whom Hitler sacked, indicates to me, that many if not most of these men Hitler sacked had said and done things of a nature so as to deliberately bring about their own sacking. And I would submit that many of these men, were merely seeking an honorable way out of a hopeless general situation that they did not dare to talk about in public lest they be labelled as a "defeatist".

[@markwilliford5319]

Balck understood the Politics of the Situation.

[@kevinhealey6540]

I would say that the hierarchy who helped him out along the way, as well those getting him into position, after the whole thing was over, they realized they made a big mistake and regretted what they had done. I believe that this thought entered into Ernst Rohm's head, as well as Erwin Rommel just before they were killed.

[@kevinhealey6540]

People who go into ultra nationalism, regardless of race, creed etcetera are not going to think so well and may even need psychological help. It's based on hatred. And sometime even further than that when they start taking acticon.

[@jonmeek3879]

Excellent video Thanks

[@peterrobbins2862]

Quite confidence

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

I was disappointed in Gen Balcks memoirs for two reasons. One: I was looking for a more "Nuts and Bolts" approach to his battles. I moved the Xth of the Yth to Zee because... or The Russians thought we were There when I had moved to Here. This let our troops beat the Russian ABC corps... Two: There is a line in the translation that says the Americans were fighting to destroy Germany, not just the Nazi's. Even the translator note says they were disappointed over this outlook. Notwithstanding this, the book shows Balck to be a strong, effective commander, not without a sense of humour. Altogether, a well written(and translated) book well worth having in your library.

[@paulwallis7586]

Von Mellinthin covered most of that. I think he was deliberately trying not to repeat those memoirs.

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

@@paulwallis7586 Thanks for the note! You've given me the push I needed to read von Mellinthin's book. I've heard it is well written, but neveeer got around to reading it. Again, thanks for pointing me toward it.

[@paulwallis7586]

@@Farmer-bh3cg Be sure to get the book with all the maps. Very important to get the tactical pictures.

[@Vladimir61532]

"more Nuts and Bolts" dafür gibt's Dokumente der 11. PD bei NARA. Very interesting materials about battles on the Chir River in Winter-43, Charkow defensive etc..

[@teller1290]

I think we were fighting to destroy far more than NAZIsm. Eisenhower put as much import on destroying what he called "Prussianism" as he did NAZIsm. I wish Ike and his German ancestor guilt-thing were around now to see what a really bad idea that was.

[@Sgront]

history prefers to remember the loud ones.......not these who think about what was done wrong !

[@DaveSCameron]

My grandad never forgot about him and his geese strutting bosch!

[@DaveSCameron]

I balked at this one….

[@Dark-7070]

One of the Greats! Not a political boot licker.

[@Kaffemosterful]

Balck was just a regimental panzer leader, even in France 1940. How many other german leaders on that level can you name?

[@MrShenyang1234]

General Balck never received the credit he deserved. Perhaps now, with the release of his memoirs, that will no longer be the case.

[@user-gj5gb7fd6n]

Were driving! YAY,, to the pool to the pool😀😆

[@user-uu2ys1xq3k]

공격력 대박

[@bh5037]

One of the best books by a german general - very expensive in German language - better buy the English version . Balck never wanted to be useed by the 3rd Reichs propaganda and stayed with his troops all time long - so he was not visible for the normal people.

[@Paulftate]

🤘

[@HistoryInsideWW2]

Thanks!

[@Paulftate]

@@HistoryInsideWW2 pleasures all mine .... you did all of the work 🤙

[@rathinpaul1057]

He is the Commander of Gross Deutsch land . France Campaign. From Calcutta .

[@Custer0706]

Hope you are from Calcutta, because the rest of your statement is unfortunately not correct. Colonels von Schwerin and von Stockhausen commanded this Regiment in May 1940.

[@peteyspaletas2023]

I own a copy of "Order in Chaos". His young son,about 21 years old,was killed in September 1941 in Russia,during Barbarossa.

[@poderosoeuropeo3852]

👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌

[@KK-rg1wz]

In 1948 this Nazi was arrested for murder for the execution of artillery commander Lieutenant-Colonel Johann Schottke. The incident in question occurred while Balck served as commander of Army Group G on the western front. On 28 November 1944 near Saarbrücken, Schottke's unit had failed to provide its supportive artillery fire upon its target area. When searched, he was found drunk on duty. Balck held a summary judgment, and Schottke was executed by firing squad. The sentence and execution were conducted without the ordained military tribunal. Balck was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison. He served 18 months of his sentence. Hermann Balck was also sentenced by a French military court in Colmar to 20 years of hard labour for his role in the scorched earth Operation Waldfest but never extradited. The Germans protected their former Nazi ....

[@bertdebets478]

LS EACH WARE IS A CRIME!!!!! EACH !!!!!

[@kevinhealey6540]

I believe all of them regretted having gone into it as well as getting involved with him. I don't any of them regarded the whole thing as something useful. Out of all of them Rommel was the biggest loser.

[@pauldeegan6652]

They were happy to be in it when they were winning.

[@matijalovrin-tikec8168]

hermann general have lojal armi general kom from rusja , germani polis vont to arestem general solger pul gans and general ask to gat tank divizen an valantir tu fajt in itali dis histori i her ven i bin kit mejbi in 10 jers old dac vas debiger tanks batl in 2ww

[@user-kh8vz3is8q]

The man may have been an exceptional officer, but if at the same time he was an ardent Nazi, his military brilliance hardly offsets the crimes against humanity committed by Germany. Since the 1980s evidence continues to surface implication senior German officers in atrocities committed on both Eastern and Western fronts. The man may have a great military mind but if he was an ardent Nazi he was complicit in crimes against defenseless civilians and any record of his actions in the war that ignores it does a disservice to us all.

[@teller1290]

84 yrs removed, from where DOES this new evidence keep coming?

[@user-kh8vz3is8q]

@@teller1290 Among other sources, you may want to look in the German Archives containing plans of the Wehrmacht. Along the margins of many of these documents are notes made by senior Wehrmacht field officers approving the military’s’ field support for the murder of Jews, Roma, Sinai and others. Notable are comments from German generals including Reichnauer and Tresscot. Recordings made by the British of captured German Generals also include conversations acknowledging their knowledge and complicity in these crimes against humanity, including confirmation of orders to massacre some 90 Jewish children held in a basement after their parents were all killed. Also, Luftwaffe and German army engineering corps supplied logistics and air support to complete the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto. Wehrmacht officers may have been outstanding military men, but many of them were still butchers.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

He wasn't a Nazi and wasn't implicated by the Soviets. The French however, took issue with his orders.

[@brittakriep2938]

Please, use the correct german names. William is englsh, Wilhelm german.

[@andrewlerdard-dickson5201]

Herman Balck is as familiar to the historian's as Paul Hausser

[@andthe4010]

"Please don't humanize these people, they are just supposed to be characture evil villains, examining them in an objective manner is racist"

[@memirandawong]

War history is by definition, human.

[@irisjanemay1903]

Exactly! We must stick to the party line given to us by our overlords.

[@christopherthrawn1333]

Excellent work here