For Hitler, then, the war represented nothing less than the opportunity to remake and rationalize Central and Eastern Europe ethnically while removing for all time the “destroyer of peoples,” the Jews. Ironically, by the end of his war, a conflict that in Europe consumed perhaps 50 million people and left much of the Continent in ruins, its citizens struggling to rebuild their shattered lives, Hitler had largely accomplished the one goal, but at the expense of the other. Central and Eastern Europe had been ethnically cleansed, the intermingled national groups had been disentangled, the Volksdeutsche had been concentrated back in Germany (in the largest, deadliest, and most rapid migration in human history), and the ancient Jewish culture and communities of Europe had been uprooted and destroyed. The German nation, however, on whose behalf Hitler had ostensibly waged this apocalyptic struggle, had ceased to exist as a political entity. Hitler had prophesied that, if Germany failed to prevail against its enemies, it would face a national catastrophe. His actions, and those of his helpers in the Wehrmacht and the war economy, had ensured just such an outcome. In the end, however, its vanquishers worked not to destroy Germany but to integrate its parts into an admittedly divided Europe. In so doing, the German question was solved at last, and the Germany of Hitler—resentful, aggressive, racist, nationalist—was, like him, crushed forever. The legacy of the Third Reich, however—the awareness of what can result from that explosive mixture of hatred, hypernationalism, racism, and authoritarianism—remains as a constant warning to us, challenging our notions of loyalty, honor, morality, and justice.
Acknowledgments
Two important people in my life died during the writing of this book: my mother, who lived through the war as a young wife worried about the well-being of her husband (and my father) away at sea, and my dear friend and extraordinary colleague Professor Christa Hungate, who was born in Germany during the war and, in her own person, although sharing none of the responsibility, nonetheless bore the burden of guilt for the crimes of her countrymen. Although it is not appropriate to dedicate a book on war to either, both were shaped in significant ways by World War II, and, thus, I was affected as well. My wife, Julia, has as always been a source of enormous encouragement, advice, occasional prodding, and, most importantly, steadfast support. She has also once again brought her logical, scientific mind to the creation of the outstanding maps that accompany and are such an important part of the book. I can also add thanks to my daughter, Kelsey, who in a matter of seconds, it seems, has grown from the baby I held on my lap as I composed my first book to a beautiful, talented, bright young woman—one, moreover, with a passion for history. Over the years, I like to think that I have even helped promote her growing interest in European history. I am sure that our innumerable historical discussions over the dinner table drove Julia to distraction, but her questions have also helped focus and clarify my arguments. More importantly, they have reminded me of the sheer joy of learning. The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone gives you courage.” This neatly expresses my gratitude to both Julia and Kelsey—our souls touch and protect each other, and I am always conscious of my nearness to them. I carry their hearts in my heart and am never without them. Without them, my wife and daughter, I can truly say that this book would never have become reality. Both of them have enriched my life beyond measure, and to them this book is lovingly dedicated.
Appendix
Supplementary Data
| German | Soviet |
|---|---|
| Army groups: 4–5 | Fronts: 10–18 |
| Armies: 2–4 in an army group | Armies: 3–9 in a front (average 5–7) |
| Corps: 2–7 in an army | Corps: an average of 3 in an army |
| Divisions: 2–7 in a corps | Divisions: 2–3 in a corps |
| Authorized Strengths | Authorized Strengths |
| Panzer divisions: 14,000–17,000 (103–125 tanks) | Tank corps: 10,500 (189 tanks) |
| Motorized divisions: 14,000 (48 tanks) | Mechanized corps: 16,000 (186 tanks) |
| Infantry divisions: 12,700–15,000 | Rifle divisions: 9,375 |
| Guards rifle divisions: 10,585 | |
| Artillery divisions: 3,380 (113 guns) | Artillery divisions: 6,550 (210 guns) |
Source: Ziemke, Stalingrad to Berlin, 506.
Source: Overmans, Deutsche militärische Verluste im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 238.
Photographs
