Disobedience and Conspiracy in the German Army, 1918-1945 - Hardcover

Robert B. Kane

9780786411047: Disobedience and Conspiracy in the German Army, 1918-1945

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 078641104X ISBN 13: 9780786411047

Publisher: McFarland Publishing, 2002

This work examines, among other topics, the personal oath of loyalty that the officers of the German army swore to Adolf Hitler on August 2, 1934. It discusses how the majority of officers-those who did not become conspirators against him-complied with Hitler's orders until May 1945 despite his cruel treatment of soldiers, militarily unsound strategy and tactics, and the widespread destruction and crimes he and his forces committed. The oath taken by the officers had a strong psychological effect among a proud corps with a long history of obedience and honor, causing them to follow Hitler until the end even though they knew they were fighting a losing battle. The author also examines why and how only a few officers, the conspirators, began to break away, lose trust in Hitler, oppose him and finally stage an assassination attempt. The work traces the development within the German army from 1918 of the philosophies of loyalty and disloyalty-and obedience and disobedience-as challenged by the Hitlerian oath of loyalty

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About the Author:

Writer Robert B. Kane lives in Montgomery, Alabama.

Review:

Detailed analysis...Kane's informative, interesting, and useful study is a valuable addition. --Military Review

Detailed...worth a look. --Stone & Stone Second World War Books

Provides a valuable service...his introductory discussion of obedience and disobedience is most commendable...study adds a fair discussion to the English-language literature on the topic and will appeal to readers seeking a detailed if controversial examination of the origins, significance, and impact of the Hitler oath. --Air & Space Power Journal

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