On finite barely non-abelian \(p\)-groups (Q2828678)

The following situation is considered. Let \(G\) be minimal nonabelian \(p\)-group such that, whenever \(H_0\not\leq H<G\), where \(H\) is cyclic and \(H_0\triangleleft G\), then \(H/H_0\) is abelian. It is asserted that either \(|G|=p^3\) or \(G\) is of class \(2\) and possesses a cyclic subgroup of index \(p\). The author offers a short proof of this. To prove this it suffices to show that the center \(Z\) of \(G\) is cyclic. Assume that this is false. Then there exists \(L\triangleleft G\) of order \(p=|G'|\) such that \(L\neq G'\) and \(L\not\leq H\). As \(G/L\) is nonabelian, we get a contradiction.