The Forgotten Axis: Germany's Partners and Foreign Volunteers in World War Two - Hardcover

Ready, J.Lee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 089950275X ISBN 13: 9780899502755

Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc, 1987

Synopsis

The mention of World War II German soldiers conjures images of strong, Aryan young men born in Germany and raised under the Third Reich. However, throughout the war, more than 3 million foreigners served in Nazi Germany's armed services, comprising 18 percent of the entire German force. These non-German soldiers included 1.5 million Austrians, 350,000 Seudetenlanders, and approximately 200,000 Poles, as well as Czechs, Slovaks, Norwegians, Danes, Belgians, Romanians, Finns, Bulgarians and other nationalities. Whether converts, conscripts, or reluctant volunteers, these foreigners served throughout the armed forces and participated in all major operations. This volume offers the first in-depth exploration of the motives and experiences of these non-German German soldiers, providing a new perspective on the military history of the Axis powers.

About this title

Review

"invaluable"--Strategypage.com; "scope is broad...this is a tragic and little-known story that deserves to be told"--Choice; "a worthwhile study"--World War II Investigator; "this is a unique and readable history of Nazi Germany's Axis partners such as Finland, Romania Bulgaria, Iraq, Iran, and Vichy, France. This unconventional book covers a portion of history not often thought of and never discussed"--Reference & Research Book News.

About the Author

J. Lee Ready is a military historian living in Preston, Lancashire, England.

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 089950275X
• ISBN 13: 9780899502755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 565