Hitler`s Strategy [Paperback]

F. H.: Hinsley (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: University Press, (1951)
• ASIN: B000R01ZXY
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hitler's strategy, by F. H Hinsley, March 26, 2006

By 

Amir Abbas (Islamabad, Pakistan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitler`s Strategy (Hardcover)

Background

1. Title & Subject. `Hitler's Strategy' is written by F H Hinsley. The book deals with Hitler's strategy about the formulation of his central and inter-theatre plans for the Second World War as a whole. A photograph of Hitler appears as the frontispiece of the book. The book was published by `The Syndics of The Cambridge University Press', London.

2. Author. F H Hinsley was a fellow of St John's College, Cambridge and lecturer in history in The University of Cambridge. He has written a number of books on war such as:-

(a) Command of the Sea: British Naval History 1918-1945.

(b) British Intelligence in the Second World War.

(c) The North African Campaign of World War-II.

3. Thesis. The author analyzes Hitler's strategy about the Second World War as a whole. He has mainly focused his attention on the naval subjects. He extensively used captured German naval records as evidence to his arguments. Most of the documents referred to by the author were used as evidence against major war criminals at the Nuremburg Trial.

4. Contents. The book is divided in twelve chapters. At the end, there are three appendices and one index. Two maps depicting Hitler's operations from 1939 to 1942 are also given.

5. Hitler believed in the superiority of German race. He believed Germany was not defeated in World War-I but instead stabbed in the back by the Jews and those inspired by the Jews. In his view, the Treaty of Versailles was an unduly harsh settlement and required drastic revision.

6. Attack on Poland. Hitler was determined to attack on Poland in the autumn of 1939 .He thought that was the most appropriate time. However, he was somewhat reluctant due to the possible involvement of other European powers. He concluded an agreement with Russia to isolate Poland. He concentrated on the development of German Army and Air Force and ignored the Navy because he did not want to give any excuse to Britain for any aggressive action by violating the Treaty of Versailles. He wanted to conceal his real intentions.

7. The Invasion of Norway & the Fall of France. Hitler wanted to attack France but there was some opposition. After the pact with Russia, Hitler thought that was the most opportune time to attack the West. In his view, pacts were only held as long as they served their purpose. He feared Russia might disown this at any time. In fact he himself wanted to be in a position in which he could afford to break it. He wanted to attack Norway to forestall an Allied occupation. He also wanted to keep America out of War. The invasion of Denmark and Norway was brilliantly executed and within six weeks German occupation of Norway was complete. Up to this point Hitler's strategy was based on a sound appreciation of all the circumstances. The defeat of France however, was the end of easy period .

8. The Invasion of England. `Sea Lion" , the plan for invasion of Great Britain, was actually prepared by Admiral Raeder, Hitler's Chief of Staff, at his own initiative. Initially Hitler was reluctant to adopt the plan as he was content with the measures short of direct attack. However, ultimately he got convinced but problems continued to pour in, absence of a potent navy was one of them. In May 1940, Germany offered Great Britain two point agenda for future agreement. First, nothing must be done between England and Germany which would in any way violate the prestige of Great Britain. Secondly Great Britain must give back to Germany one or two of her old colonies. However, England refused to compromise.

9. Attack on Russia. Hitler particularly wished to avoid any incident with the USA until the attack on Russia i e operation `Barbarossa' was well underway. However, this operation produced precisely the effects which Hitler wanted to avoid. It united Great Britain and Russia . It led Japan to attack Pearl Harbour on 7 Dec 1941 and forced American entry into the War. There was a sort of mistrust also among the Axis Powers.

10. Hitler's Strategy in Defeat. By the mid of 1943, the effectiveness of U-boat had decreased considerably. Germany's lack of intelligence made it impossible to judge enemy's next move. Moreover, the Allied Forces continued to gain strength and exhaustion of resources ruled out German counter attack. Consequently, Germany was losing on every front. Now there were only two options; to surrender or to continue a hopeless struggle. Germany opted for the second, for surrender could never be considered an option. Hitler had already said, `' I will never survive the defeat of my people''.

Evaluation

11. The book encircles Hitler's strategy in the Second World War. He author

had a fairly clear picture in his mind about the detailed strategy and

successfully explained the same.

12. The book is recommended for those who intend in-depth study about World War-II and know about the game plan devised by the master minds of the War.