An authoritative and dramatic behind-the-scenes history of 'the Atlantic Alliance' during World War II. The Anglo-American relationship from 1941-1945 proved to be the most effective military alliance in history. Yet there were also constant tensions and disagreements that threatened to pull the alliance apart. This book highlights why the unprecedented level of cooperation between the very different American and British forces eventually led to victory but also emphasizes the tensions and controversies which inevitably arose. Based on considerable archival research on both sides of the Atlantic; this work considers the breadth and depth of the relationship from high-level strategic decisions; the rivalries and personalities of the commanders to the ordinary British and American soldiers who fought alongside one another. The book also looks back and demonstrates how the legacy of previous experience shaped the decisions of the war. Eisenhower's Armies is the story of two very different armies learning to live; work; and fight together even in the face of serious strategic disagreements. The book is also a very human story about the efforts of many individuals―famous or otherwise―who worked and argued together to defeat Hitler’s Germany. In highlighting the cooperation; tensions; and disagreements inherent in this military alliance; this work shows that Allied victory was far from pre-ordained and proves that the business of making this alliance work was vital for eventual success. Thus this dynamic new history provides a fresh perspective on many of the controversies and critical strategic decisions of World War II. As such; this book provides expert analysis of the Anglo-American military alliance as well as new insights into the ‘special relationship’ of the mid-twentieth century. 16 pages of BW photographs
#179289 in BooksColor: blue Skyhorse Publishing 2008-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 5.60 x 5.50l; .90 #File Name: 1602392463384 pagesWritten by a saboteur arrested by the Nazis.Jacques Delarue chronicles how the land of Beethoven elevated sadism to a fine art.A probing look into the secret police force.Softcover.372 pages.
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Best Nazi History Book I've Ever ReadBy StephieAnnWow. This book is a NECESSITY for all. Not only does it discuss the Gestapo and Ss powers during that time; but also the names of the Nazi's higher ups who struggle; falsely accuse and undermine each other; even by death; to promote THEMSELVES in the Reich! I believe this is a MUST-READ due to the very slow process of even the German citizens losing their personal; work and religious freedoms. Plus; the interesting thing is that they even brain-washed their citizens to start spying on others and turning them in. As I read the process; it alarmed me as regards to our personal freedoms of speech; religion and socialization of our government. I am not an alarmist; but I believe anyone who reads this book will see as I did; that history just might repeat itself!8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. A Horror Story; that's Unfortunately True!By Loyd EskildsonNazism left 50 million dead in a ruined Europe after Hitler became Chancellor on 1/30/33. (Hindenburg had thought to constrain Hitler by giving him von Papen as Vice-Chancellor and von Blomberg as Minister for War - those 'barriers' were soon swept away.) Police forces across Germany were purged. Three months later Dachau opened - 'welcoming' political dissidents. Within a few months; unions; all other political parties; and even independent organizations for arts; sports; or youth were all disbanded or absorbed by Nazi organizations. Germany's legal system was neutered by making the Gestapo self-regulating; the police were also removed from legal oversight. Mere suspicion became sufficient for arrest.At the beginning; police/internal spying activity control was hotly contested between Goering; Himmler; and Roehm. Goering had been embarrassed in the van der Lubbe trial (Reichstag fire); and was soon appointed Minister for Air and began taking a less active interest in police affairs. His initial reluctance to do so had been overcome by finding that Himmler was a stalwart ally against Roehm. Himmler set about filling vacancies as they occurred with supporters. At the time Himmler took over; there were 52;000 members of the S.S.; compared to 4.5 million S.A. under Roehm's orders. Himmler's S.S. men; however; included being the Chancellery guard. Thus Himmler knew of everyone visiting the Fuehrer; and every incident and conversation. S.S. members were authorized to kill anyone for any reason at any time.Himmler had already begun a systematic attack on the S.A. and Roehm - like Goering; he reported the excesses in the S.A. camps. It was not the methods that shocked him; but the disorderly manner in which the S.A. (unemployed former soldiers acting as thugs) operated. Roehm created conflict with the German military - he wanted to be placed in command; Hitler did not want to antagonize that group. March 1933 brought S.S. competing camps and at the beginning of 1934 Himmler contrived that all camps were run and guarded by S.S. alone. To accomplish this he created a new branch of the S.S. (Death's Head regiments) charged exclusively with guarding the camps. Thousands charged with no crimes and given no trail were arrested - acceptance of this fait accompli allowed progressive extension of Nazi methods w/o regard to legality.Himmler and Goering eventually eliminated rival Roehm by publicizing his earlier criticisms of Hitler; adding falsified evidence. Hitler himself arrested Roehm and had him arrested and then executed. The 'Night of Long Knives' established Hitler as the only leader of the Germans. Between 6/30/1934 and 7/2 leading figures of the Nazi Party left-wing; along with prominent conservative anti-Nazis were murdered. Most killings were carried out by the SS and the Gestapo - the final toll may have been in the hundreds.All Germans were put under surveillance and terror became the means of governance. Detachments of Gestapo accompanied the first wave of troops into occupied countries. The Gestapo was responsible for all executions and deportations. Resistance fighters were sent to concentration camps to die by work - providing free labor to the Reich. The Gestapo's task was to prevent all discussion of Nazi dogma and eliminate opponents of the regime. While still clandestine; the S.S. had carefully filed records of Party enemies - including political and professional activities; family; friends; home address and possible hideouts; and passions. Not a minister; general or anyone else dared raise his voice. Germany became a gigantic torture chamber. New entrants had to belong to the Party; and Party approval was required for promotion. The S.D. unit confined itself to gathering information; while the Gestapo carried out arrests; interrogations; searches; etc. Blockleiters were responsible for 40-60 homes. For anyone; failing to send in a denunciation was considered an act of hostility.The Gestapo was divided into sections - one dealt with political opponents; another focused on former members of philosophic or religious bodies; a third supervised strict application of the first anti-Semitic measures; another fought 'saboteurs' (the least sign of laziness or a work error qualified as 'sabotage'). The Gestapo played a role in the Saar returning to the Fatherland (90.36% favored in a January; 1935 vote) - it became known that opponents would be considered as traitors. Two months later; Hitler announced the creation of the Luftwaffe - 36 aircraft in 1932; 9;000 in 1939. At about the same time; conscription was restored; and the composition of the Army fixed at half a million men. Secrecy was the rule; even in the Gestapo - violators shot for violating the 'patriotic duty of silence.' This continued to the very end; even when Germany's loss was seen as inevitable.German military leaders paid little attention to Himmler's police machine in June; 1936 because they were busy enjoying the first fruits of revenge. On March of 1936; Hitler denounced the Locarno Treaty and reoccupied the Rhineland demilitarized zone. Troops entering the Rhineland had strict orders to retire in the face of any French opposition; however slight - a setback then would have dealt a serious blow to Hitler's prestige.Himmler wanted to decapitate the Army General Staff as a means of ensuring total loyalty. One was shunted aside as a result of the scandal of marrying a former prostitute. A second was subsequently also deposed via a scandal - this time trumped up. Thirteen other generals were relieved of command; 44 others transferred or retired in February; 1938. Shortly thereafter the Wehrmacht crossed into Austria - the resulting celebrations made it impossible for military leaders to make a case.Each factory formed a Party cell - replacing the unions; the press also had an appointed leader; and medical etc. professions (including the Red Cross) also were placed under S.S. control. Between 1933 and 1937; 40% of professors were purged; a Gestapo member controlled each research institutes. Jews living in neighboring countries were spied on and constantly followed. Telephones were tapped; especially calls to/from abroad; and microphones and tape recorders installed in the homes of suspects.Elections 3/5/33 occurred against a backdrop of 7 million unemployed (about 1 worker out of 3); a Reichstag fire falsely blamed on Communists; a roundup of thousands accused of being Communists; and a gigantic propaganda machine organized by Goebbels. The Nazis obtained only 44% of the votes - not enough for a majority; but 'inviting' the 81 Communist delegates not to sit (on pain of arrest; possible death); the Nazis reached 52% of the votes. Goering was elected President. April 1; Hitler proclaimed a boycott of Jewish products and stores.March 23; 1933; Goering opened the first session of the new Reichstag - amnesty was proclaimed for crimes 'committed with patriotic intentions' (by the Nazis); followed by a 6/23 law annulling previous sentences against Nazis. Governors were replaced by the most trustworthy Nazis. On April 26; 1933 a State police office was established in each district of Prussia. All officials were requested to supervise employees of the State and report those making criticisms; and a similar order soon covered workers as well.By spring of 1934; 65;000 Germans had left - mostly scientists; artists; writers; and professors who illegally crossed the border seeking asylum abroad.German military leaders were unafraid of war - only being dragged into one with insufficient training and staffing. The S.S. was ordered to see that only people of pure German blood lived in the occupied areas. Non-Germans and Jews found themselves expropriated of their goods; homes; and lands; then sent to concentration camps. The lucky ones were forced to become farm workers; home servants; or sent to work in armament factories. In 1940 Auschwitz was opened; others followed at Maidanek and Treblinka.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting for the student of military history.By Edward J. PalumboI have often wondered how an entire society could be subdued or seduced to support a maniac and an incompetent strategist like Adolph Hitler; and this book has explained better than many I've read in the past. Like a disease process; the Gestapo has so saturated German society; was so thoroughly networked to control the press that no organized protest was possible. Discussion about the dinner table was not safe. Abuse was unpunished and treachery was rewarded. The Gestapo's power and authority was beyond challenge in the courts; and accountable to so few that the German people were enmeshed in a net from which they could not criticize; protest or rebel without harsh consequence. It is a study in the corruption of a nation. Again we are reminded; what is "legal" is not necessarily "moral".
