Hitler's Deserters

The German military executed between 18,000 and 22,000 of its personnel in World War II on the charges of desertion and "undermining the military spirit." Who were the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who had been condemned to death on these charges? Why had they deserted? Was there an archetypal deserter? What was the balance between consent and coercion in maintaining military discipline? This book addresses these questions as well postwar debates over whether Wehrmacht deserters should be treated as cowards, victims, or role models worthy of rehabilitation.

Auteur

Douglas Carl Peifer is a Professor of Strategy and History at the US Air War College. His teaching and research interests focus on European history, contemporary European security issues; the World Wars; and mutiny, desertion, and dissent. Peifer's books include Choosing War: Presidential Decisions in the Maine, Lusitania, and Panay Incidents; Genocide, Airpower, and Intervention; and The Three German Navies. His articles have appeared in Contemporary European History, European Security, German Studies Review, Journal of Military History, Naval War College Review, Orbis, War and Society, and War in History.