Disobedience and Conspiracy in the German Army 1918-1945

<p> This work examines among other topics the personal oath of loyalty that the officers of the German army swore to Adolf Hitler on August 2 1934. It discusses how the majority of officers--those who did not become conspirators against him--complied with Hitler's orders until May 1945 despite his cruel treatment of soldiers militarily unsound strategy and tactics and the widespread destruction and crimes he and his forces committed.</p><p> The oath taken by the officers had a strong psychological effect among a proud corps with a long history of obedience and honor. They followed Hitler to the end even though they knew they were fighting a losing battle. The author also examines why and how only a few officers the conspirators began to break away lose trust in Hitler oppose him and finally stage an assassination attempt.</p><p> This history traces the development within the German army from 1918 of the philosophies of loyalty and disloyalty--and obedience and disobedience--as challenged by the Hitlerian oath of loyalty.</p>