ABSTRACT

To see the foreword, the introduction, a generous selection of sample pages, and more, visit the website The Wehrmacht website.

In this unique volume, expert Tim Ripley introduces the reader to the world of the German army, covering in detail concepts such as mobile defense and the formidable Blitzkrieg, and explains why the Wehrmacht was able to fight so long, with such fearsome effectiveness. Also includes 180 color and black and white maps and illustrations.

part 1|38 pages

Creating the Machine

chapter 1|21 pages

Genesis of the War Machine

chapter 2|14 pages

Blitzkrieg: Myth and Reality

part 2|146 pages

The Years of Attack

chapter 3|17 pages

Honing the Weapon

chapter 4|9 pages

The Campaign in Norway

chapter 5|27 pages

Western Triumph

chapter 6|19 pages

Hitler's Balkan Interlude

chapter 7|19 pages

The North African War

chapter 8|21 pages

The Eastern Front 1941–42

chapter 9|26 pages

The Eastern Front 1942

part 3|40 pages

The Nature of the Army

chapter 10|7 pages

Hitler at War

chapter 11|9 pages

High Command

chapter 12|5 pages

Junior Commanders

chapter 13|7 pages

The Rank and File

chapter 14|6 pages

Army and Nazism

part 4|91 pages

The Years of Defense

chapter 15|17 pages

Triumph of Improvisation

chapter 16|21 pages

Defense in the East 1943–45

chapter 17|7 pages

Arming Hitler's Army

chapter 18|5 pages

Partisan War

chapter 19|7 pages

The Army and the Waffen-SS

chapter 20|15 pages

Fighting the Materialschlacht

chapter 21|9 pages

Valor Not Enough

chapter 22|2 pages

The Legacy of the Wehrmacht