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),
Army, Navy and Air Force
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The map is titled “Demilitarized Germany.”
The shaded areas are regions demilitarized under the Treaty of Versailles. |
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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. |
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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.” |
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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.