Much of its intelligence was deemed politically unacceptable to the German leadership.
The German leadership was expecting a swift victory and initially children were not expected to be away for more than a few weeks.
The German leadership failed to develop a coherent strategy for a long war.
And much of Europe's ability to make its single currency work will demand German leadership.
For these reasons, he had several occasions to cross swords with German leadership.
Having played for everything, the German leadership lost everything.
In an analysis, he said the main reason for success was the poor quality of German leadership.
But the moral for the East German leadership is worrying.
The truth is that the East German leadership has so far shown all too few signs of wanting to change.
According to him, German leadership was poor and their strategy was just as poorly thought out.