When Germany attacked France, Guderian made the real Blitzkrieg come true by constantly disobeying orders of his superiors and driving relentlessly as far as his men and tanks could go, wrecking havoc far beyond the expected frontline, cutting communications, taking french staffs as prisoners, who thought that the Germans were still on the western side of the river Meuse and so leaving their own troops without command. The "beheading" of the French units by overrunning their command facilities was crucial for winning the war in the west. The defeat of the French army was not completed by the superiority of the German tank weaponry. Only one of the German tanks, Panzer IV armed with 75mm gun, was a match for the French heavy Char B tank, while Panzer I, Panzer II and Panzer III were greatly inferior and outclassed. There were other reasons, such as that every German tank had a wireless communication system and that Panzers were fast and easy to maintain. They were set in action as whole and independent units and were not attached to the Infantry units. And last but not least, they were on the army-level and below commanded by officers who were often trained or commanded by the creator of the Panzerwaffe himself - Heinz Guderian. After reaching the English Channel, the Panzergruppe Guderian was created and thrusted deep into France, cutting off the giant Maginot Line. Since that time, every unit that served in the Panzergruppe Guderian wore a large 'G' on every tank, truck or motorcycle. Before the invasion of Russia, Guderian was promoted to General-Oberst (Colonel-General, one step to Fieldmarshall) and Commander of the Panzergruppe 2, later Panzer-Army 2. In the first stages of the invasion, Guderian earned the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross. Because of permanent problems with his superior Fieldmarshal von Kluge, who always tried to stop his drive and because of taking back his units from a dangerous position against orders he was relieved from his command.
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