The German Home Front 1939–45

The German Home Front 1939–45 cover

Description

Osprey's examination of Germany's home front situation during World War II (1939-1945). At the outbreak of war in 1939 Germany was committed to the concept of Blitzkrieg - a swift and decisive war. Yet, the reality became something very different as every corner of German society was hit by the realities of war.

This book details the critical civilian support that was necessary to maintain Nazi control of the civilian population and includes first-hand accounts of the experiences of civilians who suffered at the hands of their own government as well as enduring the deprivations and fears of wartime life. With analysis and descriptions of civil and home services, from air raid wardens to postwomen, this book provides a detailed, lavishly illustrated description of wartime life in Germany, exploring the tentacles of the Nazi state as they affected every man, woman and child.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION·THE NATIONAL SOCIALIST STATE: the NSDAP take-over of government from 1943 – Administration (ministries and general commissions) – the Party leadership structure·LAW AND THE PENAL SYSTEM: The courts – prisons – concentration camps; the Police (Ordnungspolizei; Sicherheitspolizei und Sicherheitsdienst – Sonderpolizei·THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS IN GERMANY: progressive introduction of anti-Semitic measures, 1933–41·EMPLOYMENT: The State Labour Service – the Four-Year Plan – the crisis of January 1942 – foreign workers – child labour – the crisis of January 1943 – 'total war' measures – women in the labour force·CIVIL LIFE: public health – rationing and shortages – compulsory collections – propaganda and censorship (radio broadcasting; films) – postal and telephone services·THE AIR WAR AGAINST GERMANY: summary of the bombing campaign·FIRE DEFENCE: Fire Protection Police – Volunteer Fire Brigades·CIVIL DEFENCE: Organization (ministerial and Luftwaffe responsibilities; national services; local services; State Air Protection League; industrial premises; railways, post office and waterways) – Air Protection Warning Service – Air Protection Police – Self-Protection and Extended Self-Protection services – Works Air Protection Service – post-raid services – evacuation·PLATE COMMENTARIES·INDEX

Product details

Published Oct 23 2007
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781846031854
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 40 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Elite
Short code ELI 157
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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