The German armed forces suffered crushing defeat in the last century. Kenneth Macksey examines the reasons behind these catastrophic military failures: the random fortunes of war; or the inevitable result of a particular structure; leadership and history? A nation with few natural defensive boundaries; Germany traditionally had to struggle to survive; and developed an aggressive and militant outlook. Its great strengths were the brilliance of individual generals and military thinkers; the innovative development of the military forces; and the skill and tenacity of the fighting men. Set against all this was a short-term war policy; a tendency to underestimate the enemy and believe its own propaganda; and the politicisation of the military staffs. These and many other factors were to lead Germany from nineteenth-century success; and dreams of world domination; to twentieth-century defeat. Kenneth Macksey s other books include Guderian: Panzer General; Rommel: Campaigns and Battles; and the alternate history Invasion: The German Invasion of England; July 1940.
#10587395 in Books 1998-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .39 x 7.52 x 9.72l; #File Name: 1850758220106 pages
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