HITLER’S ARMY

THE EVOLUTION AND STRUCTURE OF GERMAN FORCES, 1933 – 1945

by the editors of

COMMAND MAGAZINE

Adolf Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany in 1933 but did not fully consolidate his power until the summer of 1934, when he brutally suppressed the Nazi Party's private militia in an agreement with the regular German armed forces.  Thus began a contradictory relationship between Party and Army that continued until the very end of the National Socialist regime in 1945.

‘Hitler's Army’ features a unique blend of graphics and text that brings a fresh approach to the development of the German Army under the Third Reich.  The most technically sophisticated charts, tables of organization and maps available graphically illustrate the structural evolution of the most intensely studied army of the twentieth century.  An insightful main text shows how the Wehrmacht's structure was increasingly contradictory to the military missions Hitler ordered it to undertake.

‘Hitler's Army’ also includes a novel analytical comparison of the U.S. and German armies in World War II, covering both organization and battlefield performance.  The Luftwaffe field divisions, Waffen-SS units, and foreign volunteers that supplemented the regular German army are also given detailed coverage.  Innovative German weapons such as assault guns, tank destroyers and rocket artillery are covered, and discussed in the context of German operational doctrine.  The reality of German reliance on horse-drawn transport, the negative role of political interference and in-fighting, and other often-ignored impediments to German operations are candidly assessed.

Twelve key engagements, from Czechoslovakia 1938 to Berlin 1945, have been selected to show German organization and doctrine tested in action.  For tactically significant battles like Demyansk, Narva, and Budapest 1945, readers will find much information not readily available in the English-speaking world.

Non-UK buyers please note this book will be posted through eBay's Global Shipping Programme and will, therefore, unable to be combined with other purchases.

This 1996 1^st edition U.S. publication is in excellent condition throughout and appears to be unread.  There are only minimal signs of wear to the dustjacket in the form of very minor bumps to the edges (see photograph) and all pages are present, tightly bound, and free from tears, creases, and marks.  The book runs to 397 pages (22.5cm x 14.5cm), includes a general index, and is illustrated throughout the text with maps, battle plans, a few photographs, and organisational charts.