From triumph to disaster

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The German armed forces faced defeat despite moments of near victory in the 20th century. Kenneth Macksey explores the inherent flaws in the German military system and its leadership, focusing on both World Wars while considering earlier conflicts like the Seven Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars. Germany, lacking natural defensive boundaries, developed an aggressive mindset that led to initial successes but ultimately to overstretch and failure. Macksey emphasizes the military's tendency to underestimate opponents and to be swayed by its own propaganda, as well as its inability to formulate a long-term war strategy. He examines the significant political influence of military staffs and other factors that historically undermined Germany's war efforts. Despite these systemic issues, Macksey acknowledges the brilliance of individual generals and military thinkers, alongside the innovation and determination of the troops. He delves into the motivations and actions of prominent German commanders, including Scharnhorst, Clausewitz, Moltke, Hindenburg, Ludendorff, Kesselring, Guderian, Rommel, and Manstein, as well as the roles of their Kaisers and Adolf Hitler. The analysis reveals a complex interplay of strengths and weaknesses that shaped Germany's military history.