Hitler's War: Germany's Key Strategic Decisions 1940-1945

by Heinz Magenheimer

This is the book that answers the Could Germany have won World War Two?

This is a closely argued and wide-ranging assessment of just how, with so many alternatives open, the German High Command chose the path that led, ultimately, to its own destruction. Heinz Magenheimer examines in detail the options that were open to the Germans as the war progressed. He identifies the crucial moments at which fateful decisions needed to be taken and considers how decisions different from those actually taken could have propelled the conflict in entirely different directions. Using the very latest source material, in particular new research from Soviet/Russian sources, the author analyses motives and objectives and considers the opportunities taken or rejected, concentrating especially on specific phases of the conflict.

Genres: History, World War II, Military History, Germany, Military Fiction, War, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The German generals were were experienced and capable military leaders who understood the complexities of warfare. They often found themselves in a difficult position, torn between carrying out Hitler's orders and pursuing more conventional and rational military strategies. What would have happened if the German High Command chose the different paths?

In this book Heinz Magenheimer researches all the different options Germany had to change the outcome of the war. Perhaps a more coherent strategy, avoiding risky decisions or more flexibility to changing circumstances could have prevented Germany's defeat.

Certainly interesting for the history enthusiast but for the casual reader perhaps a bit too complicated.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Magenheimer provides an efficient overview of strategic developments, pointing out the areas where things might have gone differently, but fails to develop any of the possibilities with much substance. There is an obstinate refusal to seriously engage with ideology, or the personality of the leaders on the German side, and how these things affected strategic decisions. For example, when discussing the Nazi-Soviet peace feelers in 1943, Magenheimer does not consider any deeper reason for Hitler’s unwillingness to negotiate, and merely cites the intention Hitler voiced to Mussolini of solving the problem militarily. This insubstantial approach is unfortunately combined with the excesses of the German “historian’s debate”, resulting in a one sided focus on Soviet atrocities, while briefly acknowledging the German ones. The author even includes the hotly debated claim that the Soviets were planning an attack against the Reich in 1941, although there is no serious proof that the Germans were aware of this, aside from some anxious statements, begging the question, what does this have to do with how Germans made strategy?

[Brent L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly dense examination of German strategy in WW2 with alternatives and other possible outcomes explored.
As someone familiar with ww2 history I quite enjoyed it, although it could be difficult to get through if the reader does not have good background knowledge.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to think of this book. Basically , the author posits several changes in german policy and or stategies that might have changed the passage of the war. But the war was not conducted by a rational person, nor were the real war aims of the Nazis altogether rational. And managing to to go into to detail about Soviet Atrocities without mentioning the holocaust or the total destruction wreaked on the russian population is just sort of grotesque. This book is best when it sticks to strategies and tactics. Certainly interesting for the history enthusiast, a far read for the gamer, and maybe not worth while for the shallow divers into WWII...

[Eldon.shirkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good general summary of the Second World War from a German point of view. Contains some interesting analyses of how the war might have evolved if different strategic decisions had been taken along the way - such as capturing Malta and Gibraltar (which could have been easily done in August or September 1940) and thus controlling the Mediterranean and North Africa. Recommended.

[Robert Drumheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many authors suggested that Germany should have followed a Mediterranean strategy instead of invading Russia. Very good general summary of the Second World War from a German point of view.
I do question the suggestion that Germany could have defeated Russia if Hitler invaded Russia on June 12th or earlier.

[Bill Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magenheimer looks at key strategic decisions that might have won the war for the Third Reich. He purposefully sets aside the "moral" issues of the war and looks at it from a military/geo-political perspective. I'd recommend only for historical junkies - not a light read.