An examination of Hitler's key military generals and their contributions and failures to the Germany military.
Under the surveillance of General von Seeckt the Germans re-established their military, which Hitler utilised for his aggression of recovering Germany's military greatness. This book explores some of the leading military figures. The often-ignored Field Marshal Keitel is explored, to see if there were any substance in the Allied belief that this Chief of the OKW was the driving force behind initial German success or was he merely Hitler's lackey and bureaucrat. He was derided by his contemporaries because of his unstinting Prussian obedience to Hitler.
This sense of total compliance was also reflected by General Paulus, who although obedient, was reluctant to carry out Hitler's barbaric orders relating to Jews and prisoners, but otherwise was obedient and trusting of Hitler even though he knew it would lead to military disaster. It took time in a Russian prison camp to turn him against the once adored German dictator where he eventually became anti-Nazi.
In striking contrast to the failed Paulus Field Marshal Manstein is examined. He was a skilled strategist and tactician and proved this in his victory in France. He lacked the social sophistication of many other leading military commanders, but he was one of the very few who had the courage to challenge Hitler's military directions and decisions. He was eventually dismissed by Hitler and postwar wrote two books to regain his reputation, despite the fact he was convicted of war crimes, and whether he deserves a pedestal remains with the reader.
Battistelli, Pier Paolo: - Dr Pier Paolo Battistelli gained an MA degree in the University of Perugia, Italy, and was awarded a Ph.D. degree at the University of Padua, Italy, with a thesis on the German-Italian military partnership during WWII. Dr. Battistelli is active as a translator, a military history consultant, and author, publishing a number of books on different subjects of history related to WWII.
Battistelli, Pier-Paolo: - Dr Pier-Paolo Battistelli gained an MA in the University of Perugia, and he was awarded a PhD from the University of Padua, based on a thesis on the German-Italian military partnership during the Second World War. He is active as translator, a military history consultant, and author of a number of Second World War history related books.
Dr Pier-Paolo Battistelli and the Revd. Dr Andrew Sangster have worked together for some 12-14 years in researching lost evidence and trying to find the truth behind historical accounts, have attempted to be objective and make their works as readable and interesting as possible.
Sangster, Andrew: - Dr Andrew Sangster holds his doctorate in Modern European History as well as degrees in Law, Theology, History and English. He has written several biographies including Lord Alan Brooke, Beria, Franco, Göring, Goebbels, Himmler, a history of France 1936-46 and an account of the main European Secret Services before 1939.
