Hitler’s Commanders: German Bravery in the Field, 1939–1945

By James Sidney Lucas

Book Overview

As absolute as Hitler's control over the German war machine was, it depended on the ability, judgment and unquestioning loyalty of the senior officers charged with putting his ideas, however difficult, into effect.

Top military historian James Lucas examines the stories of fourteen of these men: all of different rank, from varied backgrounds, and highly awarded, they exemplify German military prowess at its most dangerous. Among his subjects are Eduard Dietl, the commander of German forces in Norway and Eastern Europe; Werner Kampf, one of the most successful Panzer commanders of the war; and Kurt Meyer, commander of the Hitler Youth Division and one of Germany's youngest general officers.

The author, one of the leading experts on all aspects of German military conduct of the Second World War, offers the reader a rare look into the nature of the German Army - a curious mix of individual strength, petty officialdom and pragmatic action.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1848327366
• ISBN13: 9781848327368
• Release Date: April 2014
• Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

IN THE FIELD 1939-1945

I admit to being a huge fan of James Lucas. His books cover a range of subjects of great interest, plus with his connections many pieces of information appear in his books that do not appear in other author's books. As there are no other reviews for this book I will list its contents: Generaloberst Hans-Jurgen von Arnim Generaloberst Eduard Dietl General der Panzertruppen Heinrich Eberbach SS Grupenfuhrer and Generalmajor der Waffen SS Otto Hermann Fegelein General der Panzertruppen Werner Kempf Oberstleutnant Walter Koch Brigadefuhrer and Generalmajor der Waffen SS Otto Kumm SS Brigadefuhrer and Generalmajor der Waffen SS Kurt Meyer Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Schaefer Generalmajor Theodor Scherer Generalfeldmarschall Ferdinand Schorner Leutnant Erich Johannes Schuster SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General der Waffen SS Felix Steiner General der Kavallerie Siegfried Westphal If all these names mean something to you, you hit the jackpot. Before purchasing this book only a few were meaningful to me. But that is one reason I enjoy Lucas' books, they offer reading not generally available elsewhere. As such, this book represents and presents a new history of these fourteen significant German commanders. Though Hitler's tight control of his war machine is well documented, these 14 men were charged with putting his war aims into motion. They had to rise not only to a military but political challenge as well. Several pages of photos as well as an index round out this 223 page volume, but unfortunately no maps. Still another book in but a long line of interesting books from James Lucas. Semper Fi.