Page "Blitzkrieg" Paragraph 37

The concepts associated with the term blitzkrieg – deep penetrations by armour, large encirclements, and combined arms attacks – were largely dependent upon terrain and weather conditions.

Where the ability for rapid movement across “ tank country ” was not possible, armoured penetrations were often avoided or resulted in failure.

Terrain would ideally be flat, firm, unobstructed by natural barriers or fortifications, and interspersed with roads and railways.

If it was instead hilly, wooded, marshy, or urban, armour would be vulnerable to infantry in close-quarters combat and unable to break out at full speed.

Additionally, units could be halted by mud ( thawing along the Eastern Front regularly slowed both sides ) or extreme snow.

Armour, motorised and aerial support was also naturally dependent on weather.