Hitler Directs His War

by Felix Gilbert

Here are secret, verbatim records of Hitler's conferences with his military advisers during the last three years of the war. This exciting collection of unique documents reveals Hitler's approach to the problem of war and his general political philosophy, frankly and without restraint. Through Hitler's own words, the total character of his mind - in its rational as well as abnormal aspects - emerges with devastating clarity. The value of these records, amazingly recovered and now released for publication, is unquestionable. They affirm Hitler's astonishing grasp of military detail, his refusal to admit the trend of political events and forces, his fights with his generals. They also throw light on the reasons for his power. From these records the reader can reconstruct an accurate picture of the discussions that went on in these top-level conferences and gain a vivid impression of the personalities who were responsible for carrying out Hitler's orders. Not only military experts, historians, and psychologists will find this book absorbing, but also anyone interested in the history of war and in Hitler's personality.

Paperback

First published October 2, 2011

Reviews

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of excerpts from the 800-odd surviving pages of Hitler's daily situation conference notes from December, 1942 to March, 1945. The entire trove, before it was set afire by the SS, came to 200,000 pages. It would be easy to reflect my disappointment that the full 200,000 pages were not recovered by rating the book lower than four stars (five, for Amazon). However, that is not the fault of the author, whose Introduction contains perceptive and well-balanced analyses of the rescued notes, of Hitler himself, and of the precise relationships between Der Fuehrer and his Generals.

The usual names are found among the conference attendees: Keitel, Jodl, Krebs, and Burgdorf. And Zeitzler and Fegelein, too, plus many less familiar officers. Hitler's statements are reproduced verbatim, and we get a good look at how he micromanaged Germany's war, for good or ill.

The author laments that the translation doesn't convey Hitler's full vulgarity, though it does show a bit of his meanness and the tendency of the conferences to wander off repeatedly into the hinterlands of Hitler's didactic trivia and personal reminiscences. The foreword by George Allen, who was responsible for retrieving and salvaging the notes, is an important part of the book, despite its brevity. There's a decent bibliography and index, plus an archival table and Hitler's last speech, which makes the index seem relatively exciting in comparison. Again, that is not due to any authorial failing, but to the limitations of the material. The footnotes are helpful and not excessive.

Hitler Directs His War is not light reading. It's more for the historian or psychohistorian than for the casual WWII reader/enthusiast. I see no evidence of Hitler's putative insanity therein, which is consistent with the memoirs of his personal staff, both Erich Kempka and Rochus Misch, q.v.

[TypOnomIcon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 80 surviving transcripts that were taken of meetings Hitler had with his inner circle. It’s not what I’d call a leisure read, but it is very interesting to read, in his and his men’s own words, what Adolf really felt about the Italians, and his own men, and how he directed his military strategy.

I’ve had this book for over a decade and somehow it’s avoided my eye until 2026. Who could say why?

It rings some sort of bell for me, can’t quite put my finger on it…between his penchant for rambling and repeating himself, belittling his allies, his inability to take blame, lacking in care for the lives of his soldiers, his obsession with being an image of strength, it reminds me of something, though, rather than powered by Hitler’s speed and rage, more like dementia and fear.
Eh, it’ll come to me.

[Jimmy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing compilation, made up of records taken of Hitler's daily military conferences that allied forces were able to uncover, post surrender. The bulk of the 200,000 pages of minutes had been burned and the ashes buried; some 80,000 pages were uncovered, recompiled (amongst the versions taken down by three stenographers during each meeting), translated, and a record created from the literal ashes.

What is left is spotty, at best - we jump from Dec 42 to May 42 to July 43 and so on - so if there's a particular point of historical interest, chances are it's not there. What is there is an amazing look at Hitler's personality, and the personalities - such as we see - of his military staff. I found it absolutely fascinating.

Derogatory comments about the enemy and his ability to fight are a norm during war, particularly in propaganda, but it was surprising to hear such comments in a military staff meeting, where a realistic assessment is critical. Negative personal comments about those not in attendance - other German generals and their failings - were also featured, along with derogatory comments about German allies. "I saw an article" and or "I heard yesterday" or "my instinct" were common remarks, along with anecdotes, in these meetings, instead of real data.

It's unfortunate we can't see the complete progression of meetings and get a perspective of any point where Hitler's staff actually gives helpful input, or provides contrary data, to Hitler's "intuition." We see no real evidence of his true "genius"; his narratives about military events, such as Russia, is skewed in his favor, and his staff does not challenge him. His focus wanders in what his staff should find an alarming way; a meeting in 1945, for example - as Germany was floundering - initiated with how to rank the military soldier (heredity versus skills), a discussion which the staff was quick to join in with animation.

The majority of materials I've seen about Hitler personally have focused on the last days of the war in the bunker, on his quixotic behavior, or his temper. This was really a view of the unqualified leader, and his frightened staff. Well worth it, even though it's just a glimpse.

My 1950 Oxford University Press edition included the text of a multi-hour 28 Dec 1944 speech from Hitler to his generals on the import of a post Battle of the Bulge offensive (which was never recognized by the allies of any import and ultimately failed). There is also an analysis of the transcript, with a summary of the remarks by Hitler, which are of significant interest in their non-military tone. I should also point out that one of the footnotes in the book confirms Rommel's participation in the bombing plot, which most historians and biographers feel (with hindsight) has not been confirmed.

[carl theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excerpts of conversations between Hitler and his generals. Interesting angle and don't think I've seen much along these lines elsewhere, though you would think it exists. This book was published in 1950, and
has a small photo section.