ABSTRACT
The war, of course, ended in a manner very different from the expectations of those Germans who had confidently discussed new maps of Europe in the years 1914-18. Although German military activities in the Weimar years were concentrated on the reconstruction of military power, domestic turmoil, and concern about possible foreign attack, there was some military planning that went beyond these preoccupations. The appearance of a maintained traditional military structure, and leadership served to reconcile the military commanders even if some had qualms about the methods used. The importance of the independence of the navy and air force will be seen in the impact of the attempt to establish a central, overall command structure upon the relationship between that structure and the command and general staff of the army. The ever faithful von Brauchitsch would not even reply to a warning letter from Beck; Haider agreed to see his predecessor, but would not budge either.
