What Made Germany So Effective in the Early War

[@PotentialHistory]

Sorry about the low volume in the beginning, I did normalize it but apparently did not do it well. Sorry dad.

[@penguinLol]

Potential History heart me!!!

[@moritz_pilz667]

At least we're awake now

[@BioshockFan91]

Dont' worry we still love you

[@Victor-zd1jr]

where do you get your footage from?

[@yentl8509]

Alied bias

[@franciscofalabella4644]

The volume was supposed to mimic the inconsistency of the german advance

[@dorkmax7073]

Genuinely made me laugh.

[@ricksanchez1079]

Setup and paid off.

[@MarxMan0o]

I don't get it :(

[@adamm2091]

@@MarxMan0o me neither, my monkey brain no follow

[@fiel81]

and raycon

[@chrysecreative5575]

The volume was ridiculously low during the first two minutes Edit: Jesus, 4.9k likes over a complaint? Is this how Karens feel?

[@kyedamant1323]

True

[@alissa2791]

Hmm yes 16 minutes ago

[@therealbrappuccino]

Obviously you need to buy *SOME RAYCON WIRELESS EARBUDS, THE SPONSOR OF TODAY'S VIDEO, WHICH FIT COMFORTABLY AND CANCEL OUTSIDE NOISE. GET 15% OFF YOUR ORDER AT BUYRACON . COM/POTENTIALHISTORY*

[@MrBob142536]

Glad to see it wasnt just me. Ended up nearly going deaf once the video proper started.

[@cwntman]

fookin blew me ear drums with headphones vol all the way up.

[@TheSecondVersion]

German High Command: "Rommel, you have to stop" Rommel: "No, I don't think I will."

[@jmk3723]

"Am at the beach" lol

[@nobleman9393]

"Nah, I will be Ok"

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

"But Adolf, i want to see the English channel!"

[@mav8535]

Krrr krrr eh, can't understand you krr krrr communication down krr krr will continue advance krr bruuu krrr.

[@artsyrache]

“Rommel please” “No”

[@kden9772]

Long answer: fluid command structure, radios, and good tank doctrine Short answer: Meth

[@cakeman7364]

"you see friedrich if you have enough meth you can conquer the entire world"

[@KingKhanate1997]

Ironic how the command structure started working against the Germans as the war went on. Losses became more frequent and with them, clashes of ego between one of the most Machiavellian high commands in history and propaganda material started to matter more than actual military victories. All headed by a meth addict/alcoholic.

[@wannabehistorian371]

“Stalin” “Hands-off” Now those aren’t two words I expected to hear in the same sentence.

[@ObviusRetard]

No one is supposed to be empty handed, so we're cutting every ones hands off

[@looinrims]

It was that or lose the nation, the ignorance/ineptitude of Stalin and inexperience of Stavka risked losing the whole war, not to mention has led to population problem plaguing Russia to this day due to the asinine amount of losses taken by the Red Army due to the “No Step Back” order, see Kiev for unfortunate proof of that

[@wahlex841]

@@looinrims The order itself wasn't an issue, retreat as a maneuver was still an option. The problem is that, again, Stalin and Stavka because of their ineptitude almost never used said option. And by the way, Order 227 was issued in July 1942, clusterfuck that was the battle of Kiev was wrapped up in September 1941.

[@looinrims]

Alex Krycek no I don’t mean they couldn’t retreat it’s just in many cases retreat was denied, and Kiev is a major example of why that was very poor choice, especially considering the manpower shortages the red army faced later in the war, I doubt the 600,000 POWs from the encirclement did everything they could being encircled rather than forfeiting Kiev and living to fight another day, to potentially take more Germans to the grave with them, if it came to something they truly couldn’t afford losing, like the caucuses or Moscow

[@yosefyonin6824]

he realized what a terrible commander and strategist is, so he pretended to be a benevolent genius when he gave his generals freedom of action....

[@BioshockFan91]

German High Command: "Why can't you just be normal in your advance" Rommel: *DEMONIC SCREECHING*

[@ewilljack6668]

Cool

[@yosefyonin6824]

@Hoàng Nguyên i dont think thats a good analogy. Erwin's soldiers were fighting for humanity's freedom from the horrifying titans. Romel's soldiers just fought to expand the nazi empire and enslave people

[@BioshockFan91]

@@yosefyonin6824 It's not simple as that. Wehrmacht and the SS were two separate things. 20 July 1944 is a date that marks indelibly that separation. And Rommel, the good soldier, was against the plot but still he died because of it, because he told many of his colleagues that the war had no point (since he left Africa), that Hitler just had to surrender. I suggest you to read Krieg Onhe Hass, it is basically his testament. One of the best books i've ever read.

[@vegitoson4218]

@Hoàng Nguyên wrong Erwin

[@randycheow4268]

Because meth

[@Goose20235]

- Huh, this ad is a bit quiet lemme turn up the volu- - ONE OF THE STRANGE

[@thechief00]

yeah i dont need to buy those ear buds anymore because i don't have ear drums anymore.

[@cow5853]

That scared me

[@spudsmckenzie9626]

I got to that part as I was reading your comment 🤣

[@FairlyWhite]

Fuckkkkk didn't understand this until just now. Wish I had some Raycon earbuds

[@nextgen101]

The realest jumpscare lol.

[@thatsidewaysdud7623]

Because Gaijin didn’t add the Russians yet and mechanical breakdowns weren’t in the game.

[@michdem100]

Those were still tested, alongside The Winter™ in the Finish Expansion

[@TheLazyFinn]

@@michdem100 More like planned expansion..

[@testingphaze4853]

No its obviously because of the cancerous pzIIs in the low br

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

@@testingphaze4853 inb4 fast firing stuarts get in the Match

[@thatguy-qg9lk]

FUCKING SOVIET VEHICLES GODAMNIT

[@mikep3180]

Everyone: how were you so successful in the first years? German army: "the secret ingredient is meth"

[@milodelacher8584]

I recently read a book called "Blitzed" from Norman Ohler about this subject, the meth was called "pervitin" and was pretty wide spread in the wehrmacht allowing their soldiers to fight much longer than they could have normally done. The book also describes drug use in the whole german reich and is really worth a read

[@mikep3180]

@@milodelacher8584 I can imagine that Göering is listed as a heavy user of drugs

[@milodelacher8584]

@@mikep3180 You are not wrong about this as he according to the book was heavily addicted to morphine

[@Athrun82]

@@mikep3180 Göring was already an addict when the Nazis took over. That was due to sustained injuries in the 1923 coup and later when he was treated for heavy tooth pain (i think thst was it) He only got completely clean when he was in the PoW camp during the Nuremberg trials. But yeah a lot of German soldiers used drugs especially the Stuka pilots. Pervetin was often put into chocolate hence the term "Panzerschokolade"

[@alexschmidt443]

No, it was Pervetin...

[@jeramahia123]

German Officers: "We were just following orders." Potential History: "German Officers were allowed to disobey orders from command." German Officers: *Surprised Pikachu Face*

[@LordVader1094]

Only allowed to disobey if it benefited the Reich, lol

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

Most of the executions were carried out behind the lines against prisoners by military police (Feldgendarmerie) and police units.

[@kyledonahue9315]

Wisemankugel Memicus Do you have a citation for that? I’ve read that the Wehrmacht were as equally complicate in reprisals and executions as the military police were.

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

@@kyledonahue9315 Define "equally". I'm not sure of official figures, they make no separation between SS brigades and German Army divisions, however from what I've heard from interviews from rank-and-file German veterans what would essentially happen is in most cases you would have the leading Army divisions, followed by Einsatzgruppen and Ordungspolizei detachments, who deported civillians and carried out the Holocaust. Feldgendarmerie were also involved to some extent. Inb4 I get accused of the "clean Wehrmacht" myth: That isn't to say that the regular units didn't carry out massacres, even more often than say, the US Army does today, but generally they didn't handle the deportations and the shit that went on behind the lines.

[@farmerboy916]

​@@wisemankugelmemicus1701 Frankly I'm rather inclined to believe that based on logistics alone.

[@rtgshabs2317]

The bass-boosted, lazer-eyed Erwin is why P.H. gives me life.

[@Yourantsally]

Pornhub?

[@angermanagement844]

Philippines?

[@panzerjagertigerpelefant]

Pedro Horatio?

[@mikazukiaugus2571]

Guys...its Potential History

[@panzerjagertigerpelefant]

@@mikazukiaugus2571 I was sad that you died, now I am not for some reason.

[@kylerblossom2924]

Him: Hey guys, I'll let Sarah take over Sarah: HEY GUYS

[@sickre]

And tell your Girlfriend that in the quarantine she should be losing weight, not gaining it.

[@bazzalurk4891]

@@sickre growup mr perfect

[@markwalshopoulos]

@@sickre shut up nerd

[@kaiserchillhelm4457]

Almost had an heartattack there, She just ten times louder than him

[@MrRjh63]

Ironically in a ad for headphone users RIP headphone users.

[@deinekes9]

Maybe we're looking at this backwards. Ask not why the Germans were so good but rather why everyone else sucked. The Brits had a small army. The Americans had to rebuild from scratch. The French were demoralized and stuck in the WWI. The Soviets were busy simultaneously un-purging themselves while expanding the Red Army with officers promoted way before they were ready for it.

[@cristianvillanueva8782]

This ^

[@MC-kq6ds]

Yeah I agree Germany wasn't actually that good everyone else was just underprepared

[@Apodeipnon]

That view ignores the issues Germany faced after WW1.. which I won't get into because they're common knowledge here

[@thanatopsis112]

@@Apodeipnon Yes but Germany was actively rebuilding and reforming their army once the NAZI's came into power were Britain, France, and the USA were not actively rebuilding and reforming their armies. France focused on making the best of what they had but not improving or learning from WWI. The British sat back after WWI militarily and the USA went back to a non-interventionist strategy outside of its sphere of influence so what few military engagements we had were with countries not equipped to fight anyone with even some actual industrial capacity. Along with this, the USA closed down most of the specialist training programs it had set up towards the end of WWI like sniper schools for example. The simple reality is that Germany went into WWII with the lessons from WWI internalized and implemented and built upon with officers trained in the doctrines. The rest of the world powers either went in with a mix of too few troops not learning the lessons of WWI, poor supply and in the case of France a political system unwilling to allow the military to execute its defensive strategy.

[@AtheAetheling]

@@thanatopsis112 They do say that those who lost the war are more prepared for the next war. Britain for example, learned a lot from losing the American War of Independence and began deploying irregular troops and marksman regiments in greater numbers during the Napoleonic Wars to fight alongside its line regiments. Victory breeds complacency in a lot of respects.

[@thatguyfrommewe7241]

"They had us in the first half, I'm not gonna lie."

[@calumcrossley5082]

Lol

[@someguy8297]

Ah yea thanks for reminding me of the joke that’s in the thumbnail

[@ijnyamato1109]

*slowly claps

[@Mr.Brownstone1987]

-Allies 1946

[@cle4tle]

Was jod here

[@cleanerben9636]

1939: what you feel like when using marching powder for the first time 1945: what you feel like after using for 6 years

[@Zarastro54]

marching *power

[@rundownthriftstore]

bh5496 my mans he’s talkin bout methamphetamines

[@Zarastro54]

@@rundownthriftstore Oof, gotem.

[@mexicoball2529]

Hmmmm Hans i smell from you meth

[@humppi.2304]

Germany 1940: i'm having the time of my life, all is going as planned! Germany 1945: i've seen more abandoned Königtigers than full jerrycans

[@andy_4966]

German High Command: Hey, stop advancing into france Rommel: *Angry Panzer Noises*

[@VeganerHippie]

VRRRRMMMM

[@deadraven355]

NEIN NEIN NEIN, MEIN PANZER GROUPPE IST DER GROßE

[@retardcorpsman]

DeadRaven Panzer master race

[@chernobylstaline3261]

@@retardcorpsman *Cry in manufacturing cost

[@golucid745]

THEY ARE THE PANZER ELITE BORN TO COMPETE NEVER RETREAT

[@liam8678]

Germans in 1940: "You we must move with speed before the slow but powerful French army can mount a counter offensive" Germany in 1943: *takes panzerchocolate* "WHAT IF WE MOUNT AN 88MM AA GUN ON A TANK, THATLL WORK RIGHT??!"

[@halowerder3356]

@EpicGta5&BTCTutorials yrd Nice humor if it requires to be not funny at all. France had the strongest army in the world back in 1939/40.

[@bloodyhell8201]

@EpicGta5&BTCTutorials yrd you're 100% not an adult lmao

[@jackass5066]

@@bloodyhell8201 no need to reply to the kid,move on.

[@JuggerKnight717]

Wtf is this comment thread

[@jackass5066]

@EpicGta5&BTCTutorials yrd nigga you started the damn thing. This whole operation was your idea.

[@MagiconIce]

German High Command: "Ok, good job taking the Ardennes, now stop to let the infantry catch up" Rommel: "Jawohl, I'm stopping my panzers now..." German High Command: "Wait a minute Erwin, do I hear seagulls in the background?" Rommel: "Ehh... sorry, you were cut off, say again?"

[@ajford-arausa8328]

This made me chuckle get a like

[@baronvonbeans9887]

"the gap between the anks and the infantry grew steadily longer" *"HEY GUYS"* "anyways so yeah try out raycons they're cool" *"ON THE TOPIC OF NAZI GERMANY"* 10/10, my neighbors heard about how great raycons are

[@shades8852]

Lmao

[@Knihti1]

"No plan survives contact with the enemy." -Helmuth von Moltke the Elder German army was curious one that General Staff made these very complex plans so generals in field could ignore most of planning and concentrade to object.

[@SirRamdomgames]

Hyvin sanottu, Taneli

[@vargamate6747]

I think it's a quote from Napoleon, isn't it?

[@Knihti1]

@@vargamate6747 No, its quote from Moltke the Elder as I said.

[@vargamate6747]

Oh yeah, i looked it up. Sorry!

[@TribuneAquila]

I think Eisenhower summed it up perfectly. "In war, plans are useless, but planning is essential."

[@Nyarlschannel]

Surprised you didn't mention Guderian's refusal to follow his orders in 41 and leaving the encirclement he was assigned to during that bit about the "ignoring orders" culture, it was one of the best possible early war examples where such disobedience caused direct and grave damage to the German forces. Naturally he was recalled back to Berlin and spent the rest of the war advertising tanks to Hitler. I'm not saying that Guderian's actions caused Germany to lose the war right then and there, but it shows that maybe tightening the chain of command was motivated by things more reasonable than just Hitler's wish to personally micro everything. Soviets had enough manpower and resources to gamble and learn by losing, but for Germans that was far more risky, short sighted even. You kinda portrayed the renegade commander culture as this definitive positive thing and cited positive examples, but only mentioned negatives in passing with no specifics.

[@GeneralBurkhalter1]

That and the active maneuvering by half of the General Staff to drive on Moscow instead of following the actual guidelines of the campaign.

[@shaafalikhan3704]

Guderian's decisions although risky were the only way Germany could win WWII after operation Barbarossa. Conventional military tactics could only get them so far, but Soviet Union with its vast resources and manpower, would overcome Germany. The only way forward was to invade North Africa in 1940 (something which Guderian suggested to the high command) cut off Britain from the Middle East and India thus putting them out of the war. This was rejected by Hitler who thought that Luftwaffe could bomb them into submission.

[@GeneralBurkhalter1]

​@@shaafalikhan3704 The assumption that many have made, which is that Moscow falling would doom the Soviet Union, is nonsensical.

[@shaafalikhan3704]

@@GeneralBurkhalter1 I agree, although capture of Moscow would seriously hinder troop movements but the Soviets would have still fought on and the Germans would run out of basic resources.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Capturing Moscow would not have changed the outcome in Russia.

[@Mint-qw3xm]

Germany:Roll for speed 20 France: roll for defense 1

[@TheNapster153]

Every RPG in a nutshell. You start off either with shit rolls at first or divine ones then slowly watch as the penalties stack. Next thing you know, you’re praying the pullout game is good.

[@wizar6712]

Should have gotten lucky

[@utzius8003]

Gremany, roll for speed: 20 France, roll your speed: -20

[@Temmoie]

@@utzius8003 I thought they just quit game or press surrender button.

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

Jiangzell it’s like they were playing eu4, declared a bad war in the first ten years on ironman mode and rage quit only to realize save scumming isn’t allowed irl

[@aquadose7866]

German High Command: "You're going to get counter attacked if you don't stop" Rommel: *pokes head out of tank* "Are you sure about that?"

[@neoxenoz3262]

German High Command: Rommel you can't just advance way too fast and left your flank for exploits! You'll be defeated! Rommel: haha ghost battalion go boom

[@ComradMando]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3fOiqukopxjrMk

[@gabadaba5436]

I feel like a lot of the early war german success came from the allied generals inability to perceive an aggressive strike from the reich. The french army and the german army were machines built during the great war, but whereas the french machine was left to grow old, rust, and collect dust, the german machine was rebuilt and given all new parts, with a good oiling to make sure it ran smoothly. The problems came when the oil ran out, but I'm sure we all know that. I feel like the german army's general failures and lack of progress after the fall of France were in large part due to the removal of autonomy from the german generals, as was discussed in the video. The early war german army was essentially America in the 1920's: seemingly at the top of it's game, but about to collapse under it's own glory.

[@kokofan50]

The army was well prepared and trained. The problem was they were prepared for WW1 fighting.

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

America in the 1920s actually wasn't all that great. The thing about the 'roaring' twenties is that what most people learn about was in the cities. Agriculture was actually at it's worst in decades during the 1920s. If not all of prior American history in general. Everything which led to the stock market crash and resulted in the Great Depression was almost untreated during the 1920s.

[@luke2029]

The Allies knew an aggressive strike was coming from Germany - why dyou think the French built the Maginot Line? The problem lies with Allied incompetence, French reconnaissance spotted German armour columns moving through the Ardennes yet Gamelin chose to ignore it. Even with Panzer units breaking through Sedan, Allied armies were still pushing to the Dill line. The Allies had many chances to stop the German advance be it bombing the Ardennes or cutting off the panzer units but they dug their heads in the sand and chose to stick with the outdated 'hold Belgium' idea which would have actually stopped the Wehrmachts initial plans to invade Western Europe. Unfortunately where as the Germans adapted and changed plans, the Allies stuck with theirs and so France fell.

[@Robinjhoe1]

Its the standard case of "if it works why change it" Why change when you officially won WW1? When you loose battles or loose a war you try to adapt or reform your army, but if you win alot than its hard to adapt to new strategies. Same goes for germany in the late war. The allies came up with counter strategies to german blitzkrieg and so on but the german army and commanders were way to deep in this doctrine. So they had no time to adapt

[@kyledonahue9315]

I feel the same way. Germany had spent years rearming their military during a time when everyone else was trying to avoid another war. It’s no wonder that they were able to steamroll a bunch of weaker, underprepared countries.

[@lonelychameleon3595]

Allies: "That was a pretty good warmup Germany" Germany: "...warm up?"

[@bman228899]

When the entirety of France is just a warm up

[@bordias5922]

Oh, hello there, person with the same avatar as me. :D

[@amarminhas202]

@@bman228899 Eh whatever we got a mini France (or rather giant france) in canada the allies never needed them

[@mariokarter13]

Germany finished prematurely.

[@Predator20357]

mariokarter13 they busted a nut too early in Russia and then second half became Germany getting fucked

[@Bans94]

Virgin Hitler: 'Waaaah! Rommel you can't just drive to the coast and leave your flanks exposed!' *Chad Rommel with E25's in*: 'Ha hA BaSs go boOm BoOM'

[@brandogg974]

*turns 90 degrees* Ja.

[@im.koyami]

Ok

[@everettegenoshachan637]

Paulus: Noooooo you cant just encircle the entire 6th army at Stalingrad! Zhukov: Haha T-34 go vroom vroom

[@giuseppefazio9313]

@@everettegenoshachan637 Zhukov was busy losing to Army Group Center around Rzhev when the Germans got encircled at Stalingrad.

[@BraveKnight_]

Rommel: Nein Kommandant, angriff das French, und Schnelle!! Translation; No Commander attack the French and fast!

[@EnsignGeneric]

Nazi Germany was that guy in the 4x game who rushes the Tactical tree at the expense of Diplomacy, Social, and Logistics. They were a real pain for a while, but inevitably some people who aren't 13 years old out-developed them and slapped their shit.

[@justwastingtimeonyt9952]

Oddly specific

[@KR0TE7]

Why is this analogy actually true 😭

[@kyledonahue9315]

I’ve always attributed it to preparedness: Germany had spent years planning for a war that everyone else was trying to avoid. France and (early war) Britain not withstanding, most of their victories were against smaller, weaker countries. As soon as they faced countries with the resources and determination to match theirs, suddenly they stopped doing so well.

[@Toralian89]

I'd say it's more of how unprepared French and Soviets were. French never expected attack from that side and Soviets were in the middle of army reorganization with their pants down and Hitler breaking yet another treaty.

[@pergys6991]

Really the Germans just got lucky on when they attacked

[@looinrims]

This notion is completely wrong, every nation expected the coming war in Europe, military history visualized did a good video on why the “Hitler should’ve just waited” isn’t valid since they were all preparing

[@noirekuroraigami2270]

@@looinrims lol ok then why did the Minister Chamberlain give so many concessions

[@looinrims]

@@noirekuroraigami2270 what? Can you elaborate?

[@akashinyaa4039]

"No other nation could touch them" *The USAAF and RAF would like to know your location*

[@markeos7753]

They already know, and they are coming to bomb you into the Stone Age.

[@akashinyaa4039]

@@markeos7753 they bout to make Dresden look like a FAMILY DAY TRIP TO TACO BELL!

[@mexicoball2529]

Those raids were inside jobs even Meyer said that no allied bomber could reach the Ruhr so he must be right

[@akashinyaa4039]

@@mexicoball2529 German bombed it self into the ground to get the undesirable they missed?

[@mexicoball2529]

@@syaondri Yeah History Channel lol

[@nowgoawayanddosomethinggoo8978]

hitler: "my will is absolute! obey ever letter of my command!" also hitler: "ehh...do what ya gotta do, just get the job done"

[@meferswift]

Politically first is ok. But practically, second is a must.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@meferswift The extraordinary success of the Manstein Plan convinced Hitler, who backed it against his own staff, that he was a military genius. In this way early success led to ultimate failure. Isn't it ironic Alanis?

[@meferswift]

@@alanpennie8013 im actually mean that he gave free reign or agree to adviser such as manstein. Then claim it as his idea. But guess thats also valid.

[@ArcturusOTE]

@@alanpennie8013 That kinda rolls with how PH mentions that AH becomes more controlling of the army later on?

[@alanpennie8013]

@@ArcturusOTE Yep. Hitler took to micromanaging the war, especially the war in The East.

[@eliasbouhout1]

German High Command: "Noooooo you can't just keep advancing with thanks you are going to be too exposed" Rommel: "Haha tanks go BRRRRRRRR"

[@AAArnold]

let this meme die already

[@vepiol2278]

SWGYArnold No.

[@TheAzureNightmare]

GHC sees good results: "... Actually, shit. I'm okay with this."

[@lesleyzore987]

@@AAArnold The meme still goes brrrrrrr

[@asaduppal5594]

@@AAArnold Arnold: "Noooooo let this meme die already" Literally everyone else: "Haha meme goes BRRRRR"

[@batuarganda728]

6:56 Here, you see a tonk chasing a cow

[@sceligator]

"Rommel really exposed his flanks" Lord forgive me for what I'm about to do...

[@looinrims]

I don’t understand

[@idontexist1184]

Oh no OH GOD NO

[@crimsonstrykr]

Plz I beg you no!

[@Shanoyu19271]

i don't get it

[@Predator20357]

@@Shanoyu19271 he’s about to fuck Rommel

[@sardinee4564]

imagine if Rommel was in cryosleep and woke up to see how he was remembered, then he saw the laser eyed bass boosted image of himself. He'd probably commit suicide again.

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

"suicide"

[@zexal4217]

@@nahuelleandroarroyo It was suicide. He was forced to do it though after being wrongfully accused of being part of the 20th July Plot when he really wasn't.

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@@zexal4217 "he really wasn't" Eeeeeh, by that point I think even Rommel's friendship with Hitler was taking a downturn. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to have Hitler axed.

[@Icetea-2000]

Just like Socrates committed suicide.... with a little help

[@Mericaa47]

Naw he would love it.

[@Pen3989]

There were no such thing as "hans ze transmission broke down again" thats why

[@WarTanko]

Lmao

[@FieldMarshalYT]

Until they started getting bigger, less effective tanks.

[@Mighty-Quinn]

Oh yeah, that's when they had Transmissions 100. Then they made it legendary and put 0 skill points back into it.

[@auzy8099]

Germany be like: IF IT'LL STILL RUN SLAP ON A BIGGER GUN

[@TheIXHermit]

Last time I was this early, the germanic tribes were sacking Rome.

[@ОлегКозлов-ю9т]

2:13 the exact moment my Reycon earbuds gave me hearing damage

[@johnathanjohnjohnston4667]

Man, Raycon is keeping all my favorite youtubers a float

[@AureliusLaurentius1099]

Last time I was this early, Germany was still the Holy Roman Empire

[@katey1dog]

Last time I was this early, Germany was a loose confederacy of principalities often feuding and warring with each other.

[@SPasta69420]

katey1dog Romans:Why do I hear boss music

[@mexicoball2529]

Neither Holy,not Roman nor an Empire - This post was made by the Voltaire gang

[@yourlocalt72]

King Henry VIII Tudor last time i was this early germany was still east francia

[@Fox-Osc]

Last time I was this early, Quintillus Varus still had my legions

[@aneesh2115]

Potential history calls. And I've answered

[@ntmfalloutproductions4713]

Ah I see what you did there...

[@TokuTaisho]

Fun fact : the general in chief of the french army general Maurice Gamelin did not have a single radio in his headquarters at Vincennes (near Paris) because he don't like them. We can also look to general Huntziger, commander of the IIe french army who refused additional air support when the Germans began their attack at Sedan.

[@lorenzooliveira1157]

Thomas von Kühnsberg wait what? People can complain about French military history and that it’s the best But it’s ww2 counter part is just the biggest joke

[@TokuTaisho]

@@lorenzooliveira1157 I think I miss something but I don't understand your point.

[@vindicare9636]

French Airforce didn't belong under the department of defense at that time,rather it belonged the department of Air Ministry alienating themselves completely from the rest of the Armed Forces.They fought their separate war.

[@TokuTaisho]

@@vindicare9636 Even If the French Airforce ("Armée de l'Air") belonged to the Department of Air Ministry, it was deployed and used by the overhaul command. For example, on the 12th of May 1940, general Alphonse Georges (commander of the field armies) orders bomber priority switched from the first to the second army. However, the commander of the first army general Gaston Billotte changes the orders to only 1/3 of the bomber and the commander of the second army general Charles Huntziger refuses the bomber support because he has not requested them. So say that the french Armée de l'Air was totally independent is quite incorrect in my view.

[@looinrims]

People wonder why I despise old people, I’ll just link them this comment old people don’t like the future they enjoy their backwards “back in my day” shit while the rest of the world leaves them in the dust, or worse they drag down the rest of the world, looking at you, AARP

[@chopper-unofficial4935]

If I am correct, Stalin didn’t decide to be “hands of” it was more so his generals convinced him to function more like a geopolitical chess player

[@Daveofwar49]

At 6:50 or so he talks about front line autonomy, and that actually has roots back in the prussian general staff. Its goes as far back as 1814.

[@cooperrhodes4490]

The short answer ‘Meth’, the long answer ‘methanphetamine’

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

They just couldn’t handle the power of comrade friendship

[@pedrobarbosaduarte3704]

Maybe the real Reich was the friends we made on the way

[@realmario979]

@@pedrobarbosaduarte3704 Soviets: *No*

[@annoyingcat6980]

*Equestria at War flashbacks*

[@stachan24]

*laughs in 21 million Soviet casaulties*

[@phiscz]

@@stachan24 ethnic cleansings tend to do that

[@PPDinkle]

lemme just flex my girfliend's crazy hula-hoop skills.

[@Rathbone_fan_account]

Imagine how good she would be if she didn't have to toss around all that weight.

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

@@Rathbone_fan_account so you only date 50kg girls? She isnt even fat

[@Rathbone_fan_account]

@@nahuelleandroarroyo It's not about the arbitrary threshold of weight. And if you don't notice that she's indeed a bit fat, then your view must be warped by how today's population is generally out of shape and the whole fat acceptance narrative that people are being fed.

[@felixloewenich2202]

@@Rathbone_fan_account Why do YT comment sections seem to be inherently full of cunts?

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

Sorry mate but that isnt "fat" she's just is not slim

[@20ff34]

Honestly such an underrated history channel, much support :)

[@dl7096]

I watched TIK’s video on Fall Blau and what you said really connects to it how Hitler was trying to micromanage the operation because his generals were focused on their current goals and not towards the end goal.

[@kevindasupa873]

Last time I was this early, the Kaiser was still in power.

[@concept5631]

*Kaiserreich would like to know your location*

[@florkiler6242]

Him: quiet me: loud him: LOUD me: hurt

[@xstrawarot]

True poem

[@Irishcrossing]

fun fact: The American military have been using this tactic of "ignoring orders from higher command" since von Steuben first learned how disorganized the continental army was and how he needed to change his tactics on how to conduct military discipline. It is the fundamental ideology of the American military. It actually only progressively got more hands off as time went on. By World War 2, everyone, including privates, were in on the most vague plan sent by higher up. D-day was one great example on the of the beaches where no officers or sergeants had command due to being killed off and privates had to finish the mission. Modern militaries actuallly learn from American military how to do this, but the American military is still the only ones who use the laissez-faire approach to command as the fundamental ideology for their military.

[@Irishcrossing]

@098765 Craper essentially, but it mostly comes from the idea that everyone has their own interpretation of how to follow orders. It was developed when von Steuben realized that American colonists had a tendency to disrespect or disobey orders. von Steuben was a tactical genius in the German Army, so he developed an entirely new discipline for the American colonist to understand, and became the very fundamental ideology of chaotic warfare we know today. Although it has taken 200 years to fully develop to the absolute controlled chaos we know today and during the events of WWI and WWII, the ideology of embracing chaos was being accepted by the American military pretty darn early for the times. While other countries were trying to control the chaos as technology upped the stakes, American Military embraced it. Like I said, it took a while yo fully develop, but many events in American history shaped the modern American Military: like in the war of 1812 during naval combat or with Andrew Jackson, General Sherman's total war, and even teddy roosevelt's rough riders disobeyed orders to follow their own plans and became heroes of their time. By the time of WWII, American chaos was developed fully. The orders from high are simple and the plans was relayed to all soldiers. Essentially, everyone had their own plans to complete the overarching mission which made it hard to actually spy on and counter. The tried and true way of cutting the head off the snake couldn't be applicable to American soldiers.

[@Irishcrossing]

@098765 Craper of course, but the point is that plans only become more complicated the further you go down the chain of command, rather than staying at the top. Micromanaging is pretty much discouraged from the American Military. Not to say that there isn't a form of micromanagement, but most soldiers have their own ideas on how to conduct the primary mission given by the higher ups. During the time of WWII micromanaging forces was still a big thing, but the American Military decided that all the troops really need is the direction they need to go, the lower brass will deal with the specifics. Think of ot like this: -General wants a region under their control -Colonol choses a specific part of region that he thinks is the best area for that control -Captain will choose the hill which he thinks is the best spot to be in the specific region -lieutenant chooses how they advance on the hill -sergeants choose who will take point -and all remaining squad members move to the best part of that location they find defensible while conducting the mission. All this and all soldiers are given the plan to execute. It seems simple to understand but it is a micromanager's worst nightmare and its also completely chaotic to run due to the amount of moving pieces on the board acting mostly autonomously.

[@CarrotConsumer]

This reeks of American exceptionalism.

[@Irishcrossing]

@@CarrotConsumer >Americans followed a doctrine created by a German Major General earlier than most other countries >Must mean the Americans are the greatest brings on earth and no-one can surpass them or...you know, it speaks volumes to how incredibly smart von Steuben was.

@@CarrotConsumer Yeah, say anything nice about the Americans and we have people like you crying about American exceptionalism. I'm totally sure that you complain about the French when they say "has most victories in human history" or when people praise the Germans for their efficiency, etc, etc.

[@maartenboy37]

The April Fools joke is that he is speaking positively about Germany for the first time!

[@Predator20357]

One day too late sadly for it to be a April’s Fool joke

[@tihy9s168]

So fascinating. I’ve always wondered about this, good video man!

[@nathanialzou6912]

The US Army still uses this kind of doctrine, except under the name “mission command”

[@Nonsense010688]

I think all modern armies use it because you simply can't micro modern combat that anything else really works. Thou who knows: maybe new technologies in communication will make a top down approach attractive again.

[@Nonsense010688]

@gillecroisd 92 Disagree. Depending of the context, it can work or even be necessary. Military speaking: line warfare (17-19th century) worked very well with a top down approach. It was even needed given the social and technology context. If we look at the US Civil war we have with General Lee someone who is closer to "mission command", while we have with "Stonewall" Jackson someone who micromanagement alot. And both worked very well. It only stooped working when people used to work under Jackson had to work under Lee... but thats a different story. Besides: new technology will maybe make it tempting to try it again even if it doesn't work.

[@AkBiker70]

It's actually referred to as commander's intent.

[@sausagedog98]

@@AkBiker70In the British Army we call it "Mission Command" too

[@gwin2719]

I didn’t know the US Army took hoop dancing so seriously 😂

[@rickshaw296]

I can make this simpler: Why was Germany so successful early on? Because the other nations weren't ready for it, once everyone got ready, Germany didn't stand a chance. POW

[@troo_6656]

It is not as simple, but techincaly you are right.

[@dragonhearted7761]

You also forget Germany pissed off all the big bois America Russia

[@AFT_05G]

@@dragonhearted7761 Actually US was only big boy.USSR had a vast population but their economic-industrial capacity was not a match for USA's too.Just look at American ship and aircraft production.US also had vast amounts of metal and oil on their own provided %70-75 of Allied iron ore,oil and steel in 1942-1944. www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85-01156R000300390010-2.pdf books.google.com.tr/books?id=dcAgT_2uiYgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=book+soviet+economy+and+red+army+1930-45&hl=tr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnxryy55zoAhVGPJoKHVGTBe8Q6AEILDAA#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.com.tr/books?id=EfEdkyz_D0AC&printsec=frontcover&dq=united+states+strategic+bombing+survey+reports&hl=tr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWnKXZ5pzoAhXBy6YKHcEFD4kQ6AEIRjAD#v=onepage&q&f=false That sources busting myth of superior Soviet resources or industrial base.

[@vonmehlau9284]

@@AFT_05G well they really stocked up in the two last years of the war

[@Andi-ex2bk]

What do you mean by „the others weren‘t prepared“ what the hell do you think the maginot line was for and did you think france and britain did not realize that poland got invaded. There was a phoney war that offered at least some time to reinforce the borders and if you would look at the politics of germany from 1933 on, the war was pretty obvious

[@saberdogface]

Potential History "Panzers!" Sarah "Hoop dancing. Whee!!"

[@augustkoningen9970]

Sarah is his girlfriend?

[@intimedal]

Wait what?

[@NZAnimeManga]

@Bubba nice

[@CarrotConsumer]

@@augustkoningen9970 His sister.

[@lordredlead2336]

@Bubba are you saying that because idubbbz girlfriend did that?

[@retro_mac138]

This man saved me from being a Wehraboo. I thank you for that

[@Predator20357]

How was it like being one of those guys?

[@retro_mac138]

@@Predator20357 Honestly everyone is toxic. Once you get into the community, everyone spams slurs, nazi music, and lies.

[@Predator20357]

@@retro_mac138 Sounds about right, it reminds me of other countryboos where if you dare suggest that their beloved country did something wrong then they’ll plug their ears and scream “La La La La! You’re wrong! You’re wrong! I’m right!”

[@retro_mac138]

@@Predator20357 Yeah lmao. I’m considered an “ameriboo” now but I just call it patriotism

[@Predator20357]

@@retro_mac138 no problem with patriotism

[@nilloc93]

what's always interesting is that the German early war mentallity of the commander in the field having the authority to make decisions is nearly exactly what General Mattis talks about all the time. According to him, most of being a commander was about coaching his subordinates to be able to make decisions in the field since there was no way he would have all the info to make the correct decision.

[@nicholasmuranaka7660]

WWII in colour was one of my favorite series growing up as child. Dude that brings up so many memories. Also love your channel, and hope everything's alright with you guys! Danke Schon

[@unclelarry8842]

As much as I love WWII In color unfortunately it's a huge breeding ground for wehraboos.

[@ET-Gamer]

The answer: Meth #BringBackPervitin

[@firestartergold1768]

Nice pfp

[@ET-Gamer]

Firestartergold 1 Ty

[@LordTeaboBaggins]

Meth is pretty much the answer to most questions relating to nazis 😂

[@milespennington5255]

amphetamines so yeah basically meth. the problem with the stimulants is that it can make your military force to aggressive causing unacceptable loss of life or complete defeat. example, the British tank crews during the North African campaign, my great grandfather got shot in the ass by a Stuka during an air raid when taking a short break between battles and travel in their tanks. crazy stuff not many people look into the north African campaign despite how pivotal it was to the war as a whole.

[@huntercorrales6794]

I was gonna say that😂

[@annairinastoll2960]

I think part of the reason for the german army's decline was also the loss of air superiority from 1943 on.

[@lesleyzore987]

But objectively, Germany was losing from late 1942 already. Also, analyzing operation Barbarossa (like Potential did in the Barbarossa series) makes it clear that Germany was bugged down by late 1941.

[@annairinastoll2960]

@@lesleyzore987 you are not wrong. Still, the loss of air superiority definetely accelareted the inevitable downfall.

[@names1842]

and a large reason this happened was because of fuel

[@oilers_fan_77]

5:13 seeing a tank launch in the air is such a sight to see

[@ДмитрийОсипов-м9д]

Today they're holding tower throwing tournaments in Ukraine

[@bayanimockingjay]

German High Command: Don't rush into enemy lines too fast. You'll have exposed flanks. Rommel: Sorry can't hear you, my radios can't reach from the Channel to Germany.

[@jmadmaxx7295]

Sorry, can’t hear you, *my tank is broken*

[@bayanimockingjay]

@@jmadmaxx7295 Then you shouldn't be hearing anything but a grumbleing German mechanic

[@jmadmaxx7295]

The Mockingjay Gamer *the German is d e a d*

[@lemming8002]

Jonny what did we say about posting at 1 in the morning

[@origamiscienceguy6658]

something is wrong with the volume, the beginning is way too quiet

[@shadowtrooper262]

This video is sponsored by E25. Me: E25...E25....E25...where have I heard tha-

[@X.245]

I know you mentioned this earlier in the video, I believe it’s mostly due to how out of date the other armies were. The Germans had just remilitarized, allowing them to get a larger build up of older weapons. The other powers weren’t expecting the Germans to actually invade Poland, expecting them to just back down. They had around a month to get their armies into fighting shape, but by then, France was mostly capitulated.

[@evancrum6811]

Hey man-Glad you are doing well and hanging in there. Keep making vids during this and stay safe.

[@thenotflatearth2714]

Potential history voice: Mauser noises Sarah voice: *Maus noises*

[@maschinen181]

could call germans bronies with how many horses they used in the army

[@AFT_05G]

Well in Operation Barbarossa there were 625.000 horses in Wehrmacht's invasion force against 600.000 motor vehicles.Not a big gap.Red Army had less motor vehicles and more horses than Wehrmacht in 1941.

[@nightspawnson-of-luna4936]

MHV already made that joke ....

[@KaiservonKrieger]

Literally seconds in and the Germans already blitzed Paris

[@archer24]

"Remember switching to you're P38 walther iz faster than reloading"

[@archer24]

@EpicGta5&BTCTutorials yrd yes but I guess it is what it is

[@archer24]

@EpicGta5&BTCTutorials yrd exactly

[@PvtMartin78]

I see Sarah's plan was to blow out all our headphones so we'd have to get new ones. Well played.

[@killerfrenchy]

Any thoughts on how the use of methamphetamines contributed to this early success? Many german soldiers were given methamphetamine tablets (called Pervitin at the time), basically crystal meth. Crystal meth would have been a significant performance enhancer early on with how it allowed soldiers to fight and be on the move for days on end with few breaks for sleep, food, etc. Then as dependency kicked in over the next few months, it would have really hampered soldiers ability to function at all.

[@johnnyb2909]

i dont think this perventin was widespreaded over the army, i never heard of it from german veterans in town. medicals were only giving to soldiers who were ill or wounded, and i dont believe the cooks mixed it in their meals but i dont know

[@jaysherman2615]

To my understanding is that the NCOS were the only ones allowed to carry them and distribute them when needed. It was a last ditch option as while it allowed for days of fighting it also required days of recovery from it's use. So it was not used often.

[@jonbaxter2254]

Potential History and dissing German proficiency, name a better duo.

[@TheLastSterling1304]

With seeing how utter incompetent the allies were, I think German sucess has more to do with them not falling into the same traps the allies did while making bold gambles that payed off. France's strict and slow hierarchy of control would leave them paralyze when dealing with rampaging german panzers in their rear lines who's reports will be hours expired by the time the higher ups receive them. Britain was hampered by its strict regimental system. Tanks weren't allowed to have HE as the artillery believe that that falls under their jurisdiction as well as ending self-propelled artillery since "they" didn't need them. Then you have the "tanks can do everything" attitude that further segregates the infantry from the tanks. The British army was basically a team of guys who's never worked/practiced together then given a plan without means to coordinate with each other. On a strategic level: Belgium. If only Belgium didn't declare neutrality and finished their defensive fortifications.

[@iatsd]

It's amazing how much error and outright bullshite you managed to fit into that screed. Britain was hampered by its "strict regimental system"?! WTF are you talking about. The regimental system is a system for recruiting and training. It has *nothing* to do with operational function. Tanks didn't have HE? That'll be news to the CE tanks. They had a "tanks can do everything" attitude? How do you explain the cruiser/infantry doctrine then?! The British were the *only* fully motorised and combined arms army in Europe in 39-40. Remember, the German's blitzkreig doctrine is *not* a combined arms doctrine. It's a doctrine of *movement and envelopment*. No SPG's? Stupid hindsight statement. The British simply didn't have the money in the 1930'sto develop and buy SPGs. Notice how the war started and suddenly the purse-strings were relaxed and guess what: SPG's were instantly put into development.

[@xcrunner5038]

Finally, a worthy video, my afternoon will be legendary

[@endoanimations]

The wide usage of radios in Nazi German tanks and throughout the different divisions may have been a big factor because of the communication ability. Especially in the way you discussed how generals in the field could ignore or adapt a command from the High Command to bring about a victory.

[@haiyangao9159]

Attempt 2: pls do an analysis of das finale 2, it has a lot of interesting references and introduces new schools and their tanks for a bit.

[@sparrow3439]

Me seeing a new midnight upload “An unexpected surprise but a welcome one to be sure.”

[@josephquinnswolin3500]

I think General why Germans had such a good start was that France was still stuck on ww1 standered still useing Horse messenger's and were pretty arrogant when they were the victors of the great war. They never really even tried to reform the army and the Politics in France was also a major reason why it was such a easy take over. Not only that but when britian and france did declare war on germany They didnt take the initiative. Britian meanwhile was strenched thin and couldn't send as many soldiers.

[@looinrims]

What is this? The French had a defensive mindset from 1930 because they couldn’t attrition very well a germany with more than 33% more people and 300% more future conscripts from the interwar generation, they couldn’t take the initiative, especially with the dismal state of the French Air Force, engaging an enemy with air superiority and arguably the best Air Force on the planet on their home territory is just BEGGING to lose, sure the French doctrine was backwards but it wasn’t just France, not one person in the Second World War opened without a mindset of “World war 1 part 2”, Berlin, London, Paris, Moscow, etc all thought about the war in world war 1 thinking and expectations

[@looinrims]

@Velsen France had 5000 paper aircraft, practice said 1500 were combat ready, reality said even fewer were available The Luftwaffe upon the France invasion had 5000 reality aircraft to attack with, with superior planes to boot, only the RAF could stand toe to toe with Luftwaffe in 1940 (which they did and gave them a horribly bloody nose)

[@looinrims]

@Velsen the Germans had superior planes to the French, the French minister for air defense (might have the title wrong, plane safety boi) predicted that within 1 month of a war with Germany the French Air Force would be something like halved in combat effectiveness, and Gamelin replied with “we don’t need planes to protect ourselves”, or something like that The French were outmatched on all fronts against the Germans (I guess except naval)

[@JoshLin17]

Ah... something so fulfilling to see a new Potential History video in my inbox, gifted by the KZbin algorithm

[@HunterSalazar]

You hit on a lot of good points!

[@hectormedrano4117]

All I’m waiting for is the Pacific Theater part 5 and Girls und Panzer Das Finale part 2.

[@ntmfalloutproductions4713]

People: "Do Hula-hoop Dance" Me: "hOw DoEs ThIs ThInG wOrK" People: "Its called hip" Me: "Yes"

[@MrPear40]

"Flanky spanky?" "Rommel no"

[@supremeleaderkimjongun5332]

First 2 mins: ( me on my headphones ) *just fine.* After 2 mins: *earrape*

[@user-uo6fu2ff2f]

6:43 First camper ever

[@bobo5580]

1:45 you have a blackboard thing and on it is written "USSR" with an arrow below it pointing to a few chairs. That's good content

[@Stephen-yb9ct]

Takes the meme “ they had use in the first half, I’m not gonna lie” to a whole new level

[@s4iren]

6:44 why is nobody talking about Hans over here being MVP

[@lol-un6nl]

hes got a modded controller

[@ByronC900]

Came for the history. Stayed for the hoop dancing.

[@col.waltervonschonkopf69]

It wasn't so much that Germany was effective as it was that the other countries were caught off guard.

[@Gingerphile00]

all france had to do was invade full force in september 1939 and germany would have collapsed.

[@ursoj1235]

Such a fucking cop out statement, people never like to give credit where its due. Germany pioneered MANY military tactics and implemented their war machine in perfect fashion. They were the strongest army in the world at that time. Stop with the dumbass excuse and give them some credit for once

[@pocc5808]

5:14 so are we all going to ignore the poor French tank that got absolutely YEETED into the sky in the backround??

[@suityboi2126]

RIP MY SMOL BOI

[@liberator101]

01:52 Man, how far are you from the mic? 10 meters?

[@thenotflatearth2714]

Many questions, one answer: Baguette retreat

[@Avalanche041]

The difference maker is the fact that Germany went into WWII more or less ready for war. Where as France and Britain were still mobilizing. France is a great example of this. France stood up its first two tank divisions when the war started. These Divisions did not have all of their assigned equipment and would only be partially combat ready when Germany launched its offensive into France. The only part of the French Army that was fully mechanized was its Cavalry units and these were part of the French Army that advanced into Belgium and were subsequently cut off when Germany pierced through at Sedan. France was also in the middle of modernizing its Army with most units having only a few months to train on new weapons and vehicles before Germany came knocking. Britain was a little more ready with its industry cranking out war materials but was still in the process of actually mobilizing its Army. They were only able to deploy 13 Divisions to France before May of 1940.

[@evo5dave]

Whispering then shouting at full volume was a strategy Germany used to discombobulate the enemy.