The Unconventional Soldier Reassessing the Performance of the German Army In WW2
CONTENT
The guest today is Phil Blood a British historian and author specialising in military history, the Holocaust, and Nazi occupation policies. He is best known for his in-depth research on the intersection of warfare and genocide, particularly in Eastern Europe during World War II. On this episode we focus on historical perceptions of the German army during World War II and compare it to the British Army. The discussion begins by questioning the post-war narrative that often idealised German professionalism at the expense of the British. Phil, drawing on his military background and historical research, challenges this view, asserting that British soldiers were more capable than often portrayed, especially as the war progressed and their professionalism increased. The conversation then delves into various factors influencing these perceptions, including wartime propaganda, Sydney Jary's classic book "18 Platoon", the impact of specific battles (like Normandy and Arnhem), the performance and limitations of German equipment (like Tiger tanks), and the contrasting training and effectiveness of both armies. Ultimately, the dialogue questions the enduring myth of German military superiority and seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of the fighting forces involved in the conflict.
Phil has written several books on WW2 including:
Hitler’s Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe, which explores the brutal anti-partisan campaigns conducted by the SS and Wehrmacht, revealing their integral role in the Holocaust and war crimes.
Birds of Prey:Hitler’s Luftwaffe, Ordinary Soldiers and the Holocaust in Poland, reveals how the Luftwaffe, were perpetrators of Lebensraum and genocide.
War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill and the 'Stalingrad of the West narrates the tumultuous era of total war through the fate of Aachen. Imperial Germany’s seat of power for 600 years, site of Charlemagne’s coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, and a place with greater geopolitical significance for Adolf Hitler in 1944 than Stalingrad in 1943.
He has contributed to academic and military institutions and is recognized for his meticulous archival research and ability to uncover new perspectives on well-studied conflicts. His work continues to influence both scholarly and public understanding of Nazi occupation and military policy.
Phil's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "United States: Essays 1952-1992" by Gore Vidal. My choice is Phil's Book "Hitler’s Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe".
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