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The Death of Hitler's War Machine: The Final Destruction of the Wehrmacht
It was the endgame for Hitler's Reich.
In the winter of 1944–45, Germany staked everything on its surprise campaign in the Ardennes, the “Battle of the Bulge.” But when American and Allied forces recovered from their initial shock, the German forces were left fighting for their very survival—especially on the Eastern Front, where the Soviet army was intent on matching, or even surpassing, Nazi atrocities.
At the mercy of the Fuehrer, who refused to acknowledge reality and forbade German retreats, the Wehrmacht was slowly annihilated in horrific battles that have rarely been adequately covered in histories of the Second World War—especially the brutal Soviet siege of Budapest, which became known as the “Stalingrad of the Waffen-SS.”
Capping a career that has produced more than forty books, Dr. Samuel W. Mitcham now tells the extraordinary tale of how Hitler’s once-dreaded war machine came to a cataclysmic end, from the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 to the German surrender in May 1945.
Making use of German wartime papers and memoirs—some rarely seen in English-language sources—Mitcham’s sweeping narrative deserves a place on the shelf of every student of World War II.
In the winter of 1944–45, Germany staked everything on its surprise campaign in the Ardennes, the “Battle of the Bulge.” But when American and Allied forces recovered from their initial shock, the German forces were left fighting for their very survival—especially on the Eastern Front, where the Soviet army was intent on matching, or even surpassing, Nazi atrocities.
At the mercy of the Fuehrer, who refused to acknowledge reality and forbade German retreats, the Wehrmacht was slowly annihilated in horrific battles that have rarely been adequately covered in histories of the Second World War—especially the brutal Soviet siege of Budapest, which became known as the “Stalingrad of the Waffen-SS.”
Capping a career that has produced more than forty books, Dr. Samuel W. Mitcham now tells the extraordinary tale of how Hitler’s once-dreaded war machine came to a cataclysmic end, from the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 to the German surrender in May 1945.
Making use of German wartime papers and memoirs—some rarely seen in English-language sources—Mitcham’s sweeping narrative deserves a place on the shelf of every student of World War II.
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
320 pages, Hardcover
Published February 2, 2021
About the author
Samuel W. Mitcham
15 books9 followersMitcham was educated Northeast Louisiana University, North Carolina State, and received his doctorate at the University of Tennessee. He was a professor at Henderson State University, Georgia Southern University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and was a visiting professor at West Point. He lives in Monroe, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 9, 2025
Elucidates both the bumbling stupidity of Hitler and the absolute depravity of the Red Army.
January 4, 2022
(Audiobook) (3.5 stars) This work was basically a straight up military history/chronology of the last stages of the Third Reich. It starts in 1944 and follows the various military movements and actions of the Wehrmacht. While there was some brilliant leadership, the overall structure and direction of the force was corrupt and rotting. The dilutions of the aging and increasingly distant Hitler and his incompetent band of cronies saw to it that Germany would have little to no chance to stand up to the two front onslaught from the Anglo-American forces in the West and the Soviets in the East. Yet, there were chances for the Germans to possible mount a much more effective defense, but the rantings and micromanagement of Hitler killed what slim chance remained for them.
This was not much more than a dry historical recounting of facts with some biographical information. A decent reference, but maybe more for the military historian audience.
This was not much more than a dry historical recounting of facts with some biographical information. A decent reference, but maybe more for the military historian audience.
September 7, 2025
Fact-filled narrative, not dry exactly but a bit odd.
November 14, 2021
Divisions reduced to a few thousand men, and yet they fought on. Millions lost in battle and captivity. Hopefully our country will be ever fortunate in our choices.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews