Inside Hitler's Greece

Více o knize

In April 1941, the German invasion of Greece initiated four years of brutal occupation and a civil war that devastated the nation. This work explores the profound effects of the Occupation on the lives and values of ordinary Greeks, utilizing a wealth of first-hand accounts and previously untapped archival sources. It presents a vivid portrayal of resistance fighters, black marketeers, young German conscripts, and Gestapo officers, illustrating how war disrupted traditional family roles as women became breadwinners and children took up arms. The moral complexities of life under foreign rule are intertwined with the political tragedy leading to civil war. The narrative details Greece's economic exploitation and resulting famine, highlighting the disintegration of society and the rise of mass resistance. It offers a stark depiction of guerrilla life in the mountains, addressing both psychological and material impacts of total war. Additionally, the perspective of German soldiers, diplomats, and SS officials is included, providing insight into the beliefs that fueled Nazi violence and terror. The text brings to life the German Occupation apparatus through the experiences of figures like Kurt Waldheim and ordinary conscripts, while analyzing a world marked by ruined villages, revolutionary aspirations, abandoned Jewish homes, and starving islanders within the historical context of Hitler's New Order.