Aftermath of War: Everyone Must Go Home - Hardcover

Mather, Carol

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0080377084 ISBN 13: 9780080377087

Publisher: Brassey's (UK) Ltd, 1992

Synopsis

This book deals with the period immediately following the surrender of the German armed forces in World War II. The book begins where military history ends - on 8 May 1945. It leads the reader through the intricate mesh of events in Occupied Europe following the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Allies had some hard decisions to take, for Europe was paralysed by vast numbers of refugees, displaced people and surrendered enemy prisoners. Furthermore, hunger and disease were an ever present menace. In these circumstances, with housing and infrastructure destroyed and the shattered economies totally unable to support such numbers, there remained only one option 'everyone must go home'.
We hear of the differing situations in Germany, and in Austria where Tito's occupation was brewing-up into a major crisis necessitating the urgent movement of people, we now know as 'the repatriations'.
Mather has made a meticulous study of the documents of this period. His research is aided by his own personal experience and time in Germany, when he was Liaison Officer to Field Marshal Montgomery. We get some fascinating glimpses of his life at both Montgomery's and Alexander's headquarters; of the 'forgotten war' between Cossack and Italian patriot; and with many other perplexities of the period explained.

About this title

Synopsis

The repatriation of surrendered enemy personnel, especially Cossacks, to the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, remains a subject of heated debate. Macmillan and the British authorities stand accused of complicity in the murder by Stalin of thousands of prisoners. This book examines the events leading up to the crisis and contends that the military and political circumstances in 1945 ensured that no other course of action could be considered. Repatriation had been agreed at Yalta and the vast numbers were a logistical and security problem for the British. Britain and the Soviet Union were still allies and Britain, the author believes, could not have been expected to withhold Soviet nationals, especially when a large number of British prisoners remained within the territory overrun by the USSR. Combining extensive research and personal recollection, this account aims to reveal the influences which convinced the author that the repatriations had to take place in the way that they did. Sir Carol Mather, a member of the Welsh Guards, was a prisoner of war in Italy and later personal liaison officer to Field Marshal Montgomery.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brassey's (UK) Ltd
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0080377084
• ISBN 13: 9780080377087
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272