Why the Germans lose at war
Subtitle: the myth of German military superiority
By: Kenneth Macksey
Publisher: Greenhill Books
Published: 2006
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 240
ISBN-13: 9781853676932
Subjects: Military History; Leadership; Generals; Military art and science; History
Work titles: From triumph to disaster
Description: The German armed forces suffered crushing defeat in the last century. Kenneth Macksey examines the reasons behind these catastrophic military failures: the random fortunes of war, or the inevitable result of a particular structure, leadership and history? A nation with few natural defensive boundaries, Germany traditionally had to struggle to survive, and developed an aggressive and militant outlook. Its great strengths were the brilliance of individual generals and military thinkers, the innovative development of the military forces, and the skill and tenacity of the fighting men. Set against all this was a short-term war policy, a tendency to underestimate the enemy and believe its own propaganda, and the politicization of the military staffs. These and many other factors were to lead Germany from nineteenth-century success, and dreams of world domination, to twentieth-century defeat.
Notes: Originally published: From triumph to disaster. London : Greenhill Books, 1996.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 230-232) and index.