Over 450,000 German troops were lost in the January of 1945 as they fought to keep Russia back from their eastern border. That is higher than the total number of casualties lost by Britain or America in all theatres during the entire war.

Hitler and his army fought to the bitter end, declaring war on America before being crushed by the allied forces, its military machine smashed and its leadership destroyed. But what about the average German citizen? What challenges faced the families left torn apart, the fatherless children, the widows and those left homeless.  Richard Bessel explores the fate of the average German as he outlines the story about the turning point in modern German history.

In summing up Richard highlights several factors that worked in Germanys favor to help turn the country around

1) The Completeness of the German defeat gave them an opportunity to begin afresh.

2) Total destruction of the Nazi party removed the threat of this happening again.

The Harshness of which the allies imposed their occupation. Eisenhower made clear that 3) America would arrive as victors to the shattered Germany

4) The vast extent of the losses of their own people

5) They day to day concerns - how to rebuild a shattered economy?

A fascinating and insightful read about this turbulent time in European history

This book was reviewed during Richard Wiltshires Monday night show on Radio 2GB. To download a podcast please click here.