Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. xv, 343 pages : illustrations; 25 cm.

Summary

1. "Usually given short shrift in most histories of World War II, the invasion of Poland was more than a series of opening salvos; it was a testing ground for German brutalities to come. In this first intensive study of the invasion, Alexander Rossino provides a comprehensive study of the Polish campaign, including disturbing new insights into its racist and ideological underpinnings." "Rossino tells how this invasion melded the ideology of the Nazi Party with Germany's military yearning for empire in the East. The Polish campaign was important as the first step in Hitler's drive for "living space" for Germans in Eastern Europe, and as the blitzkrieg decimated urban residential areas, civilians soon became indistinguishable from combatants. In addition to describing military operations, Rossino also provides a close analysis of SS plans to murder Polish leaders, German army reprisal policies, and the close collaboration of Wehrmacht and SS forces in the subjugation and execution of Polish citizens." "Rossino considers both top-level decision making and the experiences of German soldiers as he explores the mentality of those who perpetrated crimes against civilians. He particularly investigates the links between Nazi racial-political policies and military action to show that Poland was merely the German army's dress rehearsal for the later slaughter of other Slavs and Jews during the Russian campaign. By providing a detailed examination of atrocities committed by both military and SS personnel, he shows that the Wehrmacht's criminality was clearly evident at the beginning of the war."--BOOK JACKET.

Series statement

1. Modern war studies

Uniform title

1. Modern war studies.

Subject

1. Lightning war
2. National socialism
3. World War, 1939-1945 > Atrocities > Germany
4. World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Poland
5. World War, 1939-1945 > Atrocities > Poland

Contents

1. 1. The Ideological Dimensions of War with Poland -- 2. Nazi Radicals and SS Killers -- 3. The German Army and the Opening Phase of Operation Tannenberg -- 4. Nazi Anti-Jewish Policy during the Polish Campaign -- 5. Institutional Brutality and German Army Reprisal Policy -- 6. From Retaliation to Atrocity: Wehrmacht Soldiers and Irregular Warfare -- 7. Explaining German Brutality.

Owning institution

1. Columbia University Libraries

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (p. 305-335) and index.