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The German Army and the Defence of the Reich: Military Doctrine and the Conduct of the Defensive Battle 1918-1939
Hardback
Main Details
Title |
The German Army and the Defence of the Reich: Military Doctrine and the Conduct of the Defensive Battle 1918-1939
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Authors and Contributors |
By (author) Matthias Strohn
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Series | Cambridge Military Histories |
Physical Properties |
Format:Hardback | Pages:292 | Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 155 |
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Category/Genre | Military history |
ISBN/Barcode |
9780521191999
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Classifications | Dewey:943.085 |
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Audience | Professional & Vocational | |
Illustrations |
3 Maps; 12 Halftones, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white
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Publishing Details |
Publisher |
Cambridge University Press
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Imprint |
Cambridge University Press
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Publication Date |
11 November 2010 |
Publication Country |
United Kingdom
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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.
Author Biography
Matthias Strohn was educated at the Universities of Munster, 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.
Reviews'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-Kult
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