Kenneth Macksey Bücher

Illustrated with maps and a center section of black and white photographs. Kesselring-commander, leader, administrator; the only senior German officer to start and finish the Second World War holding a high command appointment. There was scarcely a major campaign in which he was not at some time deeply involved: he flew in the forefront of the battle over Poland, Holland, Britain, Russia and the Western Desert and was shot down five times; as a field commander he defended Tunisia, Italy and, ultimately, Germany. But it is as much for his role in the formation and development of the Luftwaffe that Kesselring is remembered-his were many of the ideas, plans and insights about the part played by aircraft in the land battle. They were central to the careful, systematic reorganization and building up of the German military machine in the 1920s and 30s. This first complete biography presents the complex, fascinating personality of a man whose qualities of utter determination, charm and good humor, harnessed to outstanding training and experience, enabled him to cope with both victory and defeat and, finally, when placed on trial for his life, to face his judges with dignity, equanimity and a staunch defense.

This compelling alternate history provides a harrowing insight into how Britain's war might have been if the Germans had launched their invasion.

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.