Tank destroyer units were meant to counter German blitzkrieg tactics. Origins of the "Blitzkrieg" warfare. The Luftwaffe became a major element of the German blitzkrieg. Thus, Germany expected another short "Blitzkrieg" and made no serious preparations for prolonged warfare. These tactics made up what was referred to as "blitzkrieg", or lightning war. In contrast, Germany started the war under the concept of Blitzkrieg. Nevertheless, in May 1940, Germany launched a surprise attack during its wider blitzkrieg against France. In Europe, Mussolini wanted to imitate the German "lightning war" ("blitzkrieg"). The executed included Mikhail Tukhachevsky, a proponent of armoured blitzkrieg. This type of attack pattern is centerpiece to blitzkrieg operations. The campaign did not resemble the popular perception of what became known as blitzkrieg. Together, the new methods were nicknamed ""Blitzkrieg"" (lightning war). Harris also found no evidence that German military thinking developed a blitzkrieg mentality. Through his indoctrinated idealization of an ostentatious concept he reinforced the myth of Blitzkrieg. Squadron was awarded ten DFCs and three DFMs during the "Blitzkrieg".