East German NVA

Im curious in wondering if there would be any significant changes to the structure and or effectiveess of the East German Army, had certain former Wehrmacht generals, who IOTL helped form the Bundeswehr, such as Manstein, Guderian, etc. Were captured by the Soviets and allowed to help form East German Armed forces.
 

Jack Brisco

Banned
Probably not. The Soviets kept a very careful watch on the NVA. They wouldn't have been allowed to stray far, if you know what I mean.
 
The only changes would come if the Soviets themselves made changes based on Guderian's or Manstein's theories. The NVA was designed exclusively to defend against a NATO invasion for the two or three days it would take to mobilize GSFG and start bringing Category A divisions from Byelorussia. By that time, the NVA would be completely destroyed. For a defensive force like that, the NVA needed a lot of firepower, which was why they got real Soviet tanks and not export models, but not much logistics support because they'd be fighting very close to their bases.
 
Probably not. The Soviets kept a very careful watch on the NVA. They wouldn't have been allowed to stray far, if you know what I mean.
There had been many former Wehrmacht generals (also Nazi Party members) and even SS in the East German Army. Generalmajor Arno von Lensky vor example. Also most officiers had been former Wehrmacht.
 
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Jack Brisco

Banned
There had been many former Wehrmacht generals (also Nazi Party members) and even SS in the East German Army. Generalmajor Arno von Lensky vor example. Also most officiers had been former Wehrmacht.


Have no doubt of that. But by the same token have no doubt there were Soviet "advisors" at just about every level of the NVA.
 
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