THE LAST YEAR OF THE GERMAN ARMY : May 1944 - May 1945 by Lucas, James

London Arms & Armour Press, 1994, 6x9, hard bound in dust jacket, First edition, Fine/Fine condition, 224 pages, illus, orders of battle, index. ------------------------------------------------------ Germany began the last year of the war in a crisis situation; the allied landings in Normandy had forced another battle arena upon an army already fighting on the vast Eastern front where Army Group Centre was soon to collapse. The Last Year of the German Army charts the 'progress' of Hitler's army from May 1944 until May 1945, when the once all-conquering German Army was finally defeated.-----------------------------------------------------------------------In this absorbing study, James Lucas examines the changing structure of the army throughout this final year of war, and reveals the often surprising measures taken to confront a situation Hitler had never contemplated, and which indeed he never really accepted. The author discusses the growing opposition to the Fiihrer and the resulting attempt on his life in July 1944, which prompted him to withdraw much authority from many of his senior military commanders and give high ranking military positions to men he trusted, party comrades - a move that had a profound effect on the operations of the Army. The role of scientists and research is analysed, as are the solutions found to the many problems faced by the German Army, such as decreasing numbers of German men to fight and the inadequate equipment they were given. The author also considers the formation of military units independent of the Army and the effect this had on the Army itself. Finally he describes some of the last battles fought by the German Army, which had by no means given up its struggle, as the Allies closed on Berlin,This book completes a trilogy - covering the German Army, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine - that provides an unprecedented analysis of this traumatic period of the war. For both general and military historians the three books show the very special experiences of a military force moving from dominance to defeat, of individual bravery and dictatorial inadequacy in command, and of the many remarkable events which featured in the final year of the last World War.