Background: The Nazis intended to rearm Germany from the beginning. These are pictures from a 1935 book titled Army, Navy and Air Force, a small book that wanted to demonstrate that Germany was surrounded by hostile countries. The book includes numerous photographs of the military of other countries. Here, I include maps and charts demonstrating Germany’s claimed military inferiority.
The source: Hans Riegler, Heer, Flotte und Luftwaffe. Wehrpolitisches Taschenbuch (Berlin: Verlag für vaterländische Literatur, 1935),
 |
The map is titled “Demilitarized Germany.” The shaded areas are regions demilitarized under the Treaty of Versailles. |
 |
The caption says: “With an insufficient military, Germany can be blockaded both by land and sea.” Germany had suffered considerably during World War I under the Allied blockade, something the map suggests could happen again. |
 |
The black areas are industrial zones. The caption reads: “Germany’s industrial areas, unlike those of France, are defenseless in defortified or even demilitarized border zones.” |
 |
The table is titled “Military expenditures by the great powers.” The chart to the left is per capita military expenditures, the chart to the right military expenditures as a percentage of the overall budget. The chart suggests that Germany is being greatly outspent by the countries around it. |
Go to the 1933-1945 Page.
Go to the German Propaganda Home Page.