DOCSLIB.ORG

Blitzkrieg Under Fire: German Rearmament, Total Economic Mobilization, and the Myth of the "Blitzkrieg Strategy:, 1933-1942

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Blitzkrieg Under Fire: German Rearmament, Total Economic Mobilization, and the Myth of the University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Legacy Theses 2000 Blitzkrieg under fire: German rearmament, total economic mobilization, and the myth of the "Blitzkrieg strategy:, 1933-1942 Gore, Brett Thomas Gore, B. T. (2000). Blitzkrieg under fire: German rearmament, total economic mobilization, and the myth of the "Blitzkrieg strategy:, 1933-1942 (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/21701 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/40717 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Blitzkrieg under Fire: Gennan Rearmament, Total Economic Mobilization, and the Myth of the "Blitzkrieg Strategy", 1933-1942 by Brett Thomas Gore A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTMI, FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY CALGARY, ALBERTA DECEMBER 2000 O Brett Thomas Gore 2000 National Library Biblioth&que nationale 1+1 of,,, du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 WMinStreet 395. rue WeDingtm Ottawa ON KIA ON4 OttawaON KlAW Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclisive pennettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distri'bute or sell reproduire, pr;ter, distri'buer ou copies ofthis thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette these sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/^ de reproduction sur papier ou sur format electmnique . The author retains ownership of the L' auteur conserve la propriete du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protege cette these. thesis nor substantial extracts &om it Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent itre imprim8s reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT The "Blitzkrieg Strategy" as an historid theory has bedthe debate for the last five decades concerning the nature, extent, and purpose of German rearmament during the 1930s, and the performance of the Third Reich's military forces and war economy between 1939 and 1941. It argues that Germany dehityplanned for a series of short, predatory wars requiring only Limited military and economic rnob~tion;conversion to MI-war production came only after the fim Germaa defeats in late-1941. Documentary evidence and the work of revisionist historians, however, demonstrates that pre-war rearmament and economic mobhtion in wartime were as extensive as possible given the Reich's economic and financial Iimitations. Furthennore, Germany planned to fight a large war in the mid-1940s once its major rearmament programs and heavy industrial and raw material projects had been completed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with pleasure that I undertake to thank those who conm%uted to the completion of this work. To begin with, I would like to thank Dr. A. Chanady, Dr. B. Zagorin, and Dr. B. PIoufCe of the University of Regina for their letters of reference which enabled me to enter the MA. program. To my supervisor, Dr. Holger Herwig, I say thank you for the suggestion of this fascinating topic, and for the many hours spent editing the working drafts of this paper. I am also indebted to Dr. John Ferris, not ouly for senring as my interim supervisor during the first year of the program, but also for his unhesitating willingness to sit on the examination committee. His good-natured humour and support over these past years is greatly appreciated. Special thanks are due, as weU, to Dr. Rob Huebert for piously agreeing to help a relative stranger, and sit as third examiner at the oral defence. Let me also take this opportlrnity to thank Jennifer Feldman of the University of Alberta Library for her assistance with archival materials, and Diana Hossfeld for her help with some of the more complex Gennan documents. I am also forever grateful to a fellow Reginan and Graduate Secretary of the Department, Olga Leskiw, for her tremendous . moral support and admmstmtive mastery! I would also like to acknowledge the financial assistance of the Department of History and Faculty of Graduate Studies, as well as the support of those at the University of Calgary Parking Services who took my academic schedule into consideration I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my fmand fiends, and thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement And a final thank you to Wendel who kept me company and remained stead€&@ at my side throughout this entire undertaking. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. Approval Page ....................................................................................................................... u Abstract.............................................................................................................................. .--u--. Acknowledgements...................................................... .. Table of Contents................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE: Introduction: An Historiographical Discussion of the Blitzkrieg Topic ........................................................................... I CHAPTER TWO: German MiIitary Rearmament, 1 933-1 939 ........................................ 29 CHAPTER THREE: Large-scale Economic Mobilization as an Indicator of To& War Preparations............................................................... 66 CHAPTER FOUR: "BliaIcrieg Strategy" as an Historicd Anachronism: Economic Crisis, Diplomatic Blunder, and Total Mobilization....... 89 CONCLUSION.... ................... ............................................................................................ 141 BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................ 144 LIST OF TABUS 1. Some Estimates of Rearmament l2xpenditure 1933- 1939. by Calender Year. ............. 118 2. Investment in German Industry 1928- 193 8 ................................................................... 122 3 . German Wage and Consumption Statistics 1928-1938 ............................................... 122 4. indices of Production of Certain Armaments in Germany. 1939- 194 1........................ 133 5 . Expenditure on Selected Weapons in Gennany. 1939-1941 ........................................ 134 6 . The Mobilization of Net National Product for War .Germany. 1938-1945 ..................136 7 . Statistics on Investment in German Industry 1938-1944 in Billion RM ....................... 137 8 . Military Expenditure. State Expenditure and National Income in Germany 1938.1944 .................................................................................................. 138 CWERONE Introduction: An Historiographical Discussion of the Blitzkrieg Topic Much research and discussion has occurred since the end of the Second Wodd War concerning the military and economic motivations of Nazi Germany's Blitzkrieg or lightening-war campaigns between 1939 and 1941. The lively and vigorous historical debate which has resulted has focussed mainly on such key areas as the extent and composition of Germany's rearmament programmes throughout the 1930s; the evolution of the German economy and the nature of German economic policy under National Socialist control: the regime's diplomatic and strategic gods, or lack thereof; the type of war planned for by the political and military leadership; the adequacy of military and economic preparations given the type of war which resulted after 1939: and the performance of the German military and economy during the first two years of war. All these factors must be taken into account when considering the nature and existence of a "Blitzkriegstrate&*. The !%-st attempts to analyse the German economy and German rearmament under National Socialist direction were spearheaded primarily by economists. some of whom were Marxist-Leninists. Economic and political studies of pre-war Germany were conducted by the American economists Maxine Sweezy, Otto Nathan. and Milton Fried, as well as by East German Marxists like Jiirgen Kuczynski.' These studies nearly all agreed that, beginning in 1933. the National Socialist regime tailored its large public works projects to I See Maxine Sweezy. "Gennanicus," Gerrnanv. the Last Four Years (Boston: Eyre and Spomswoode. 1937); idem. The Structure of the Nazi E- (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1941); Otto Nathan, Nazi War Finance adBanking (New York: Financial Research Program, National Bureau of Economic Research. 1944); Otto Nathan and Milton Fried. The Nazi Economic Svstem: Germanv's Mobilization for War (Durham.N. C.: Duke University Press, 1944); Jiirgen Kuczynski, Germany: Economk and Labur Condhons*. under Fascism (New York: International Publishers, 1945); Jiirgen Kuczynski and M. Witt, _Te Economics of Rarbarisrn :Hitler's New EcollpmiE Order in Euroue (Toronto: Progress Books, 1942). Other
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Department of History
    UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Blitzkrieg under Fire: Gennan Rearmarnent, Total Economic Mobilization, and the Myth of the "Blitzkneg Strategy", 1933-1942 by Brett Thomas Gore A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTiAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY CALGARY, ALBERTA DECEMBER 2000 O Brett Thomas Gore 2000 National Libaiy Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 of,,, du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliogaphic Services se- bibliographiques 395 WMinStreet 395. rue WeDingîm Ottawa ON K1A ON4 ûUawaON K1AW canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence aiiowing the exclisïve permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distri'bute or seil reproduire, prêter, distri'buer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thése sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L' auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be prînted or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. The "Blitzkrieg Strategy" as an historid theory has bedthe debate for the last five decades conceming the nature, extent, and purpose of German rearmament during the 1930s, and the performance of the Thini Reich's rnilitary forces and war economy between 1939 and 1941.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategy and Strategic Management 1
    CHAPTER STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT 1 For the past decade, Texas Health has been executing a strategic plan called the Ascent to the Summit. As the organization nears the end of that climb with a stronger strategic footing in place, the THR Promise continues to unify and strengthen us as we move into a journey toward becoming a high-reliability organization transforming the way healthcare is delivered. In the past decade, Texas Health has shifted from an acute care hospital company to an integrated health system. In 2009, Texas Health Physicians Group was formed, creating a base of employed physicians who work with Texas Health on numerous objectives. Today, the group includes more than 830 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical pro- fessionals dedicated to providing safe, quality care for its patients. The Texas Health Physicians Group’s primary care and specialist network represents more than 50 medical specialties, with more than 250 locations spanning 11 North Texas counties. Because of our culture, Texas Health was rec- ognized in 2015 as the number one healthcare organization to work for in the United States by Fortune. We also were recognized as the number two workplace for women and the number three workplace for diversity in the nation, with one-third of our nurses from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We’re proud to say we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. —Barclay Berdan, 2016, “Climbing the Healthcare Summit” Learning Objectives After reading this chapter, you will • comprehend that strategy has many definitions, and its meaning depends on one’s perspective; • understand the role of strategy in moving a healthcare organization to achieve its goals, increase its business, and improve its performance; • recognize the use of prospective and emergent strategies; and • be aware that business strategies evolve over time as a result of changing circumstances and managerial modifications.
    [Show full text]
  • The Manhattan Project and Its Legacy
    Transforming the Relationship between Science and Society: The Manhattan Project and Its Legacy Report on the workshop funded by the National Science Foundation held on February 14 and 15, 2013 in Washington, DC Table of Contents Executive Summary iii Introduction 1 The Workshop 2 Two Motifs 4 Core Session Discussions 6 Scientific Responsibility 6 The Culture of Secrecy and the National Security State 9 The Decision to Drop the Bomb 13 Aftermath 15 Next Steps 18 Conclusion 21 Appendix: Participant List and Biographies 22 Copyright © 2013 by the Atomic Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this book, either text or illustration, may be reproduced or transmit- ted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, reporting, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written persmission from the publisher. Report prepared by Carla Borden. Design and layout by Alexandra Levy. Executive Summary The story of the Manhattan Project—the effort to develop and build the first atomic bomb—is epic, and it continues to unfold. The decision by the United States to use the bomb against Japan in August 1945 to end World War II is still being mythologized, argued, dissected, and researched. The moral responsibility of scientists, then and now, also has remained a live issue. Secrecy and security practices deemed necessary for the Manhattan Project have spread through the govern- ment, sometimes conflicting with notions of democracy. From the Manhattan Project, the scientific enterprise has grown enormously, to include research into the human genome, for example, and what became the Internet. Nuclear power plants provide needed electricity yet are controversial for many people.
    [Show full text]
  • Axis Blitzkrieg: Warsaw and Battle of Britain
    Axis Blitzkrieg: Warsaw and Battle of Britain By Skyla Gabriel and Hannah Seidl Background on Axis Blitzkrieg ● A military strategy specifically designed to create disorganization in enemy forces by logical firepower and mobility of forces ● Limits civilian casualty and waste of fire power ● Developed in Germany 1918-1939 as a result of WW1 ● Used in Warsaw, Poland in 1939, then with eventually used in Belgium, the Netherlands, North Africa, and even against the Soviet Union Hitler’s Plan and “The Night Before” ● Due to the non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, once the Polish state was divided up, Hitler would colonize the territory and only allow the “superior race” to live there and would enslave the natives. ● On August 31, 1939 Hitler ordered Nazi S.S. troops,wearing Polish officer uniforms, to sneak into Poland. ● The troops did minor damage to buildings and equipment. ● Left dead concentration camp prisoners in Polish uniforms ● This was meant to mar the start of the Polish Invasion when the bodies were found in the morning by Polish officers Initial stages ● Initially, one of Hitler’s first acts after coming to power was to sign a nonaggression pact (January 1934) with Poland in order to avoid a French- Polish alliance before Germany could rearm. ● Through 1935- March 1939 Germany slowly gained more power through rearmament (agreed to by both France and Britain), Germany then gained back the Rhineland through militarization, annexation of Austria, and finally at the Munich Conference they were given the Sudetenland. ● Once Czechoslovakia was dismembered Britain and France responded by essentially backing Poland and Hitler responded by signing a non-aggression with the Soviet Union in the summer of 1939 ● The German-Soviet pact agreed Poland be split between the two powers, the new pact allowed Germany to attack Poland without fear of Soviet intervention The Attack ● On September 1st, 1939 Germany invaded Warsaw, Poland ● Schleswig-Holstein, a German Battleship at 4:45am began to fire on the Polish garrison in Westerplatte Fort, Danzig.
    [Show full text]
  • Blitzkrieg: the Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht's
    East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 8-2021 Blitzkrieg: The Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht’s Impact on American Military Doctrine during the Cold War Era Briggs Evans East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Evans, Briggs, "Blitzkrieg: The Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht’s Impact on American Military Doctrine during the Cold War Era" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3927. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3927 This Thesis - unrestricted is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Blitzkrieg: The Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht’s Impact on American Military Doctrine during the Cold War Era ________________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of History East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History ______________________ by Briggs Evans August 2021 _____________________ Dr. Stephen Fritz, Chair Dr. Henry Antkiewicz Dr. Steve Nash Keywords: Blitzkrieg, doctrine, operational warfare, American military, Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, World War II, Cold War, Soviet Union, Operation Desert Storm, AirLand Battle, Combined Arms Theory, mobile warfare, maneuver warfare. ABSTRACT Blitzkrieg: The Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht’s Impact on American Military Doctrine during the Cold War Era by Briggs Evans The evolution of United States military doctrine was heavily influenced by the Wehrmacht and their early Blitzkrieg campaigns during World War II.
    [Show full text]
  • Blockade-Running in the Bahamas During the Civil War* by THELMA PETERS
    Blockade-Running in the Bahamas During the Civil War* by THELMA PETERS T HE OPENING of the American Civil War in 1861 had the same electrifying effect on the Bahama Islands as the prince's kiss had on the Sleeping Beauty. The islands suddenly shook off their lethargy of centuries and became the clearing house for trade, intrigue, and high adventure. Nassau, long the obscurest of British colonial capi- tals, and with an ordinarily poor and indifferent population, became overnight the host to a reckless, wealthy and extravagant crowd of men from many nations and many ranks. There were newspaper correspon- dents, English navy officers on leave with half pay, underwriters, enter- tainers, adventurers, spies, crooks and bums. Out-islanders flocked to the little city to grab a share of the gold which flowed like water. One visitor reported that there were traders of so many nationalities in Nas- sau that the languages on the streets reminded one of the tongues of Babel.1 All of this transformation of a sleepy little island city of eleven thou- sand people grew out of its geographical location for it was near enough to the Confederate coast to serve as a depot to receive Southern cotton and to supply Southern war needs. England tried to maintain neutrality during the War. It is not within the scope of this paper to pass judgment on the success of her effort. Certain it is that the Bahamians made their own interpretation of British neutrality. They construed the laws of neutrality vigorously against the United States and as laxly as possible toward the South.
    [Show full text]
  • Surviving Antigone: Anouilh, Adaptation, and the Archive
    SURVIVING ANTIGONE: ANOUILH, ADAPTATION AND THE ARCHIVE Katelyn J. Buis A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2014 Committee: Cynthia Baron, Advisor Jonathan Chambers ii ABSTRACT Dr. Cynthia Baron, Advisor The myth of Antigone has been established as a preeminent one in political and philosophical debate. One incarnation of the myth is of particular interest here. Jean Anouilh’s Antigone opened in Paris, 1944. A political and then philosophical debate immediately arose in response to the show. Anouilh’s Antigone remains a well-known play, yet few people know about its controversial history or the significance of its translation into English immediately after the war. It is this history and adaptation of Anouilh’s contested Antigone that defines my inquiry. I intend to reopen interpretive discourse about this play by exploring its origins, its journey, and the archival limitations and motivations controlling its legacy and reception to this day. By creating a space in which multiple readings of this play can exist, I consider adaptation studies and archival theory and practice in the form of theatre history, with a view to dismantle some of the misconceptions this play has experienced for over sixty years. This is an investigation into the survival of Anouilh’s Antigone since its premiere in 1944. I begin with a brief overview of the original performance of Jean Anouilh’s Antigone and the significant political controversy it caused. The second chapter centers on the changing reception of Anouilh’s Antigone beginning with the liberation of Paris to its premiere on the Broadway stage the following year.
    [Show full text]
  • Heimatkrieg 1939 Bis 1945
    Wolfgang Paul Der Heimatkrieg 1939 bis 1945 Bechtermünz Verlag Die Karten der Abbildungen 1, 2, 4, 5 werden hier mit freundlicher Genehmigung des Bundesarchivs – Militärarchiv – Freiburg/ Br. ver- öffentlicht, die Karte auf Vor- und Nachsatz nach einer von dort freundlichst zur Verfügung gestellten Kartenvorlage. Abb. 3 ist der Wochenzeitung «Das Reich» vom 17.12.1943 entnommen. Genehmigte Lizenzausgabe für Weltbild Verlag GmbH, Augsburg 1999 Copyright © by Bechtle Verlag, Esslingen – München Umschlaggestaltung: Ka*Ba factory, Augsburg Umschlagmotiv: Hilmar Pabel, Volkssturmangehörige bei einer Übung in der Nähe von Potsdam / bildarchiv preussischer kulturbesitz, Berlin Gesamtherstellung: Bercker Graphischer Betrieb GmbH, Kevelaer Printed in Germany ISBN 3-8289-0326-6 Eingescannt mit ABBYY Fine Reader Inhalt 1. Stalingrad im Café Kranzler ............................................... 11 2. Der Blick nach innen .............................................................. 16 3. Dieses frühe Frühjahr .............................................................. 23 4. Eine Weisse Rose................................................................... 29 5. Der kürzeste Krieg ................................................................. 36 6. Der brennende Dornbusch ..................................................... 46 7. Verwöhnt durch Eroberungen und Siege ................................ 52 8. Nicht Krieg der Soldaten, sondern der Völker ................... 61 9. Das Innere Reich ...................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction After Totalitarianism – Stalinism and Nazism Compared
    Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-89796-9 - Beyond Totalitarianism: Stalinism and Nazism Compared Michael Geyer and Sheila Fitzpatrick Excerpt More information 1 Introduction After Totalitarianism – Stalinism and Nazism Compared Michael Geyer with assistance from Sheila Fitzpatrick The idea of comparing Nazi Germany with the Soviet Union under Stalin is not a novel one. Notwithstanding some impressive efforts of late, however, the endeavor has achieved only limited success.1 Where comparisons have been made, the two histories seem to pass each other like trains in the night. That is, while there is some sense that they cross paths and, hence, share a time and place – if, indeed, it is not argued that they mimic each other in a deleterious war2 – little else seems to fit. And this is quite apart from those approaches which, on principle, deny any similarity because they consider Nazism and Stalinism to be at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Yet, despite the very real difficulties inherent in comparing the two regimes and an irreducible political resistance against such comparison, attempts to establish their commonalities have never ceased – not least as a result of the inclination to place both regimes in opposition to Western, “liberal” traditions. More often than not, comparison of Stalinism and Nazism worked by way of implicating a third party – the United States.3 Whatever the differences between them, they appeared small in comparison with the chasm that separated them from liberal-constitutional states and free societies. Since a three-way comparison 1 Alan Bullock, Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives (London: HarperCollins, 1991); Ian Kershaw and Moshe Lewin, eds., Stalinism and Nazism: Dictatorships in Comparison (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977); Henry Rousso, ed., Stalinisme et nazisme: Histoire et memoire´ comparees´ (Paris: Editions´ Complexe, 1999); English translation by Lucy Golvan et al., Stalinism and Nazism (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004); Richard J.
    [Show full text]
  • Stalinism and Nazism Compared Michael Geyer and Sheila Fitzpatrick Excerpt More Information
    Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-72397-8 - Beyond Totalitarianism: Stalinism and Nazism Compared Michael Geyer and Sheila Fitzpatrick Excerpt More information 1 Introduction After Totalitarianism – Stalinism and Nazism Compared Michael Geyer with assistance from Sheila Fitzpatrick The idea of comparing Nazi Germany with the Soviet Union under Stalin is not a novel one. Notwithstanding some impressive efforts of late, however, the endeavor has achieved only limited success.1 Where comparisons have been made, the two histories seem to pass each other like trains in the night. That is, while there is some sense that they cross paths and, hence, share a time and place – if, indeed, it is not argued that they mimic each other in a deleterious war2 – little else seems to fit. And this is quite apart from those approaches which, on principle, deny any similarity because they consider Nazism and Stalinism to be at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Yet, despite the very real difficulties inherent in comparing the two regimes and an irreducible political resistance against such comparison, attempts to establish their commonalities have never ceased – not least as a result of the inclination to place both regimes in opposition to Western, “liberal” traditions. More often than not, comparison of Stalinism and Nazism worked by way of implicating a third party – the United States.3 Whatever the differences between them, they appeared small in comparison with the chasm that separated them from liberal-constitutional states and free societies. Since a three-way comparison 1 Alan Bullock, Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives (London: HarperCollins, 1991); Ian Kershaw and Moshe Lewin, eds., Stalinism and Nazism: Dictatorships in Comparison (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977); Henry Rousso, ed., Stalinisme et nazisme: Histoire et memoire´ comparees´ (Paris: Editions´ Complexe, 1999); English translation by Lucy Golvan et al., Stalinism and Nazism (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004); Richard J.
    [Show full text]
  • 75Th Anniversary Debate on 4 June 2019
    D-Day and the Battle of Normandy: 75th Anniversary Debate on 4 June 2019 Summary This year will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day: the landings of Allied forces on the Normandy coast during the Second World War.1 On 6 June 1944, the Allies launched a combined naval, air and land attack on Nazi-occupied France. Codenamed Operation ‘Overlord’, the landings on the beaches of Normandy marked the start of a “long and costly campaign” to liberate north-west Europe from German occupation.2 On the morning of D-Day, airborne forces parachuted into drop zones across northern France and ground troops landed across five assault beaches. Naval vessels escorted and landed ground troops, carried out bombardments on German coastal defences and provided artillery support for the invading troops. By the end of the day, the Allies had established a foothold along the coast and began their advance into France. By the end of August 1944, the “Germans were in full retreat out of France”.3 To mark the 75th anniversary, the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Royal British Legion and Portsmouth City Council have planned a series of events to take place in Portsmouth and Normandy in June 2019. This will include a specially-chartered ship, which will carry 300 D-Day veterans. On 4 June 2019, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Earl Howe, to take note of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Preparations for Invasion The defeat of Germany was acknowledged as the western Allies’ principal war aim
    [Show full text]
  • 8 Oberste Kommandobehörden Und Dienststellen Der Wehrmacht
    8.1.1 Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer 427 8 OBERSTE KOMMANDOBEHÖRDEN UND DIENSTSTELLEN DER WEHRMACHT Die schriftliche Überlieferung der Kommandobehörden, Stäbe, Truppenteile und Dienst- stellen der Wehrmacht aus der Zeit der Aufrüstung ab 1933 und dem Zweiten Welt- krieg ist zu einem großen Teil, insbesondere auch durch die Vernichtung der Bestände des Heeresarchivs in Potsdam durch einen Luftangriff im April 1945, nur sehr un- vollständig. Sie wird bis auf kleinere Bestände im früheren Militärarchiv der DDR in Potsdam und Bestände des Kriegsarchivs der Waffen-SS in der Tschechoslowakei überwiegend im Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv in Freiburg verwahrt und ist in der Über- sicht DAS BUNDES ARCHIV UND SEINE BESTÄNDE, 3. Aufl. 1977, S. 158-187, 203-263, 271-295, 299-340 hinreichend beschrieben. Im folgenden werden lediglich Bestände durch ergänzende Angaben oder Verweise berücksichtigt, die Quellen zur all- gemeinen politischen Geschichte, vor allem zum Verhältnis zur NSDAP und zur zivilen Verwaltung, oder zur Geschichte einzelner Regionen im späteren Gebiet der Bundesre- publik Deutschland enthalten. Schriftgut der Wehrmachtgerichtsbarkeit ist im Abschnitt 3.2.2.2 behandelt. Ergänzungsüberlieferung findet sich häufig in Akten des Sachgebiets Zivile Reichsverteidigung der Behörden der allgemeinen inneren Verwaltung (Kapitel 2), die Gegenüberlieferung ziviler Rüstungsdienststellen wird im Abschnitt 6.1.4 nach- gewiesen. LÌL: SCHRIFTEN ZUM STAATSAUFBAU 25, 26 und 31/32. 1939. - R. ABSOLON: Die Wehrmacht im Dritten Reich. 6 Bde. 1969 ff. - F. Frh. v. SŒGLER: Die höheren Dienststellen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945. 1953. - B. MUELLER-HILLEBRAND: Das Heer 1933-1945. 3 Bde. 1954-1969. - W. LOH- MANN und H. H. HILDEBRAND: Die deutsche Kriegsmarine 1939-1945.
    [Show full text]