This is the second in the ten-volume "Germany and the Second World War" series. Under the auspices of the Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt (Research Institute for Military History), a team of historians has combined a full synthesis of existing material with the latest research to produce what they hope will be a definitive history of the Second World War. This volume surveys the first year of the war deliberately begun by Nazi Germany. The authors examine the train of interconnected political and military events, and set military operations against the background of Hitler's war policy and general aims, both immediate and long term. Their analysis, based on detailed scholarly research, is underpinned by a full apparatus of maps, diagrams and tables. The conflict took a course quite different from that which Hitler had intended, but nevertheless resulted in a series of conquests for the Third Reich. At the same time, the establishment of hegemony on the European continent confronted the aggressor with new problems. ;The work should appeal to scholars and students of 20th-century history, social, political, economic and military historians and those interested in the Second World

This is the second in the comprehensive ten-volume Germany and the Second World War. The volumes so far published have achieved international acclaim as a major contribution to historical study. Under the auspices of the Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt (Research Institute for Military History), a team of renowned historians has combined a full synthesis of existing material with the latest research to produce what will be the definitive history of the Second World War. Germany's Initial Conquests in Europe surveys the first year of the war deliberately begun by Nazi Germany. The authors examine the train of interconnected political and military events, and set military operations against the background of Hitler's war policy and general aims, both immediate and long term. Their comprehensive analysis, based on detailed scholarly research, is underpinned by a full apparatus of maps, diagrams, and tables. The conflict took a course quite different from that which Hitler had intended, but nevertheless resulted in a series of conquests for the Third Reich. At the same time, the establishment of hegemony on the European continent confronted the aggressor with new problems. Intensively researched and documented, Germany and the Second World War is an undertaking of unparalleled scope and authority. It will prove indispensable to all historians of the twentieth century.

This volume is concerned with developments in wartime administration, economy, and manpower resources in Germany and its occupied territories from 1939-1941. It examines the mobilization of material and personnel resources in the German sphere of power for an industrialized conduct of the war. Indissolubly linked with this issue is the question of the way in which the regime's ideology affected that mobilization process, and why the 'opportunity' which the war offered for an organizational restructuring of this sector was not taken. The authors have produced a problem-oriented account, providing - by a detailed presentation of government practice - a multitude of insights into the regime's governmental structures.

Volume V Part II of the comprehensive and authoritative Germany and the Second World War series spans the years 1942 to 1945, and looks in closely researched detail, and against a background of growing military setbacks and disasters leading to final defeat, at the administration and ruthless exploitation of the occupied countries and of Germany's own allies, and the effect on their populations (in particular their Jews, Roma, and Sinti) and national economies. This comprehensive study of the meteoric rise to prominence of Hitler's crown prince Albert Speer, and his struggle to implement a 'total war' armaments policy in the face of opposition from the Party's Gauleiters and political rivals in the Nazi leadership, documents with a wealth of maps, diagrams, and tables the achievements of the arms drive he masterminded; a large part of this success is shown to have relied on the forced or slave labour of those under German domination. The conflicting claims of industry and the Wehrmacht for dwindling manpower resources are also considered.

Volume V Part II of the comprehensive and authoritative Germany and the Second World War series completes the analysis (begun in Volume V/I) of the administration and exploitation of the German sphere of power and of the German war economy. The authors show how, despite military success and increasingly desperate efforts at mobilizing every resource for the war effort, it was becoming apparent that the Reich's strength was spent. The consequence was ever more ruthless oppression of the population and a frenzied elimination of 'ideological' and 'racial' opponents.

This is part one of the fifth volume in the comprehensive and authoritative series, Germany and the Second World War. It deals with developments in wartime administration, economy, and manpower resources in Germany and its occupied territories from 1939-1941. The detailed analysis is underpinned by an extensive apparatus of maps, diagrams, and tables.