The Eastern Front, 194145, German Troops and the Barbarisation of Warfare [Paperback]

Based largely upon unpublished sources, Omer Bartov's study looks closely at the background of the German army on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. He describes the physical hardship, the discipline and morale at the front, and analyses the social, educational and political background of the junior officers who formed the backbone of the German army. Only with these factors in mind - together with the knowledge of the extent of National Socialist indoctrination - can we begin to explain the criminal activities of the German army in Russia and the extent of involvement of the army in the execution of Hitler's brutal policies.List of Tables Preface Preface to Second Edition List of Abbreviations Introduction PART 1 LIFE, HARDSHIP AND DEATH AT THE FRONT The Military Events Manpower and Casualties Physical Hardship Discipline and Morale PART 2 THE OFFICERS: BACKBONE OF THE ARMY Introduction The Sample Data Analysis PART 3 INDOCTRINATION AND THE NEED FOR A CAUSE Introduction Forms and Intensity of Ideological Instruction The Enemy as 'Untermenschen' The Efficacy of Indoctrination PART 4 BARBARISM AND CRIMINALITY Introduction The Maltreatment of Russian POWs Fighting Partisans and Murdering Civilians Exploitation, Evacuation and Destruction Conclusion Appendix: Maps References Bibliography Index

'Omer Bartov's book is an extremely useful addition to the valuable Macmillan/St Antony's series of monographs on modern history and politics...Bartov is extremely good in recounting the nature and forms of, and responses to, the ideological instruction carried out in the armed forces during the war...' - John P. Fox, International Affairs Vol. 63 Nr 1 Winter 1986-87, pp. 123-4

'Omer Bartov's The Eastern Front...is...an original and flesh-creeping social history of German soldiers at the sharpest end of the Second World War which no serious student can afford to ignore.' - David Englander, British Book News

'excellently resel“w