The German Army and the Defence of the Reich
Military Doctrine and the Conduct of the Defensive Battle 1918-1939
Published on 2. February 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
292 pages
978-1-316-63369-4 (ISBN)
Description
Historical research on the German army of the interwar period has concentrated on the development of the so-called 'Blitzkrieg'. However, Matthias Strohn shows that for most of the time the German army, restricted by the terms of the Versailles Treaty, was too weak to launch an offensive war or even effectively repel an invader. Accordingly, the army focused instead primarily on planning a defensive war against superior enemies, especially France and Poland. Making extensive use of German archival sources, Strohn explores the development of military thought and doctrine for the defence of Germany and shows how these ideas were tested in war games and staff rides. His findings comprehensively revise our understanding of the German army in this period, shedding new light on the ideas of leading figures in the German military and how events, such as the occupation of the Ruhr in 1923, influenced military planning.
Reviews / Votes
'Strohn's stimulating study of German military thought during the interwar period ably tracks the development of a defensive doctrine in which the offensive remained paramount at the tactical level. It will appeal not only to military historians interested in the nuts and bolts of the tactical defensive but also to scholars more generally interested in military decision making and diplomacy during the interwar period.' Journal of Contemporary History 'Matthias Strohn's work is complex, detailed, and well situated. Moreover, the author deserves a great deal of credit for managing a huge cast of officers and politicians.' H-Soz-u-KultMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
3 Maps; 12 Halftones, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
427 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-316-63369-4 (9781316633694)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Matthias Strohn
The German Army and the Defence of the Reich
Military Doctrine and the Conduct of the Defensive Battle 1918-1939
Book
11/2010
Cambridge University Press
€129.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Matthias Strohn was educated at the Universities of Muenster, Germany, and Oxford where he obtained a Masters degree and a Doctorate. He teaches military history to British army officer cadets and officers at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He currently holds the rank of Captain in the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) reserve and is attached to the German staff college where he lectures on military history to international staff and German general staff officers.
Content
Introduction and definitions; Part I. The Foundations of Defensive Warfare in the Inter-War Period: 1. Defence doctrine before the First World War; 2. The lessons of the First World War; 3. Military planning in the aftermath of the First World War; Part II. The Seeckt Era: Years of Ignorance: 4. Hans von Seeckt and the rebirth of the offensive; 5. The manual Fuehrung und Gefecht der verbundenen Waffen and the conduct of the defensive battle; Part III. Adapting to Reality 1923-33: 6. Military thought after the occupation of the Ruhr; 7. Civil-military co-operation; 8. The manual Truppenfuehrung and the increased importance of defence; Part IV. Defensive Warfare in the Third Reich 1933-9: 9. Political ideology versus military reality: defensive warfare 1933-6; 10. The rebirth of offensive warfare 1936-9; Conclusion: the defensive battle in the Second World War and beyond.