What was life like in wartime Germany, 1939­45?
Events of the war (background):
Broadly, 1939­41 was a period of success for Germany in the war. They had control of much of Europe and were launching a Russian invasion. Late 1941­43, the tide turned + Germany started struggling. Defeated in North Africa + massively at Stalingrad in Russia, the Red Army started advancing instead. 1944­5, D­Day + the Russian advance led to German defeat.
• Sep 1939, Poland invaded by Germany
• By end of 1940, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway + Luxembourg had been invaded + defeated
• Only Britain managed to hold out, defeating the Luftwaffe in 1940 Battle of Britain
• Germany invaded Russia June 1941, Operation Barbarossa on 3 fronts
• Initial rapid progress, but unprepared for extreme weather, and defeat at Stalingrad in 1943 an important turning point
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Allied forces captured Rome June 1944
US + UK invaded France June 1944 ‘Operation Overlord’, outnumbering Germans
Paris liberated August, then Brussels and Antwerp in September
Battle of the Bulge + German advance halted, Allied advance resumed
US troops crossed Rhine March 1945 + 320,000 German troops surrendered
Soviets drove back Germans + Western Russia liberated by July 1945
Soviets invaded Berlin + Hitler committed suicide
Germany surrendered in May 1945
Morale on the Home Front (HF):
Consumer on HF:
• V.few Germans wanted war, but still a considerable bedrock of Nazi support in 1939
• Nazis v.sensitive to issues of rationing + shortages on HF + wanted to avoid widespread shortages + unrest that had occurred in WWI
• Rationing system introduced in 1939, but considerable sacrifices not made by consumers until 1942
• Rationing 1939­42 generally fair + sufficient + above minimum calorie levels needed, although quality admittedly declined
• Greater rationing flexibility in Germany than GB w/extra rations for those undertaking strenuous tasks + Christmas bonuses for everyone to boost morale
• Most serious ration reduction in April 1942 when meat ration cut to 300 grammes/person, considerable disquiet caused
• By 1942, shortages of soap + permits introduced for furniture in Aug 1942 + for household goods in Jan 1943
• In comparison to WWI, hardship or inflation levels not nearly as severe though. Until even early 1944, rations about 10% above minimum calorific standard, adequately fed population, although
diet boring + restricted.
War + concerns:
• War against USSR caused concern + failure to win outright victory led many to question Nazi leadership + ideology for 1st time
• Despite bleak military fortunes (notably after huge Stalingrad defeat), propaganda could exploit + inspire patriotic defiance, EG Goebbels’ ‘total war’ speech in Feb 1943 rallied many to fight war to the end
• German defeats in North Africa, USSR, Atlantic + Italy increased contempt + discontent with regime
• Difficult working conditions, long hours + particularly the increased double burden for women increased discontent + lowered morale.
• BUT, majority remained silent + loyal still (so maybe discontented but not openly disloyal + vocally critical in vast majority of cases), although Stalingrad a turning point in morale
Bombing:
• Bombing campaign by RAF + USAF aimed to destroy German war industry + undermine morale
on the HF
• Caused widespread destruction, EG 305,000 killed + 2M homes destroyed + EG particularly brutal bombings in Hamburg + Dresden killed 80,000 between them + EG 20% of total German housing destroyed
• But ‘Blitz’ spirit + morale still sustained among many, although by 1943, populations of heavily bombed areas like Rhineland had been demoralised
• Goebbels fairly effectively offered hope with promises of a secret weapon or calls for perseverance
• After became clear V1+V2 bombs at London not going to have required impact, morale sank further to a low ebb
• Goebbels continued to use propaganda to attempt to raise morale w/blockbuster escapist films, EG ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ or EG ‘Kolberg’ but they had a v.minimal impact on popular mood
• As defeat edged closer, propaganda became less effective, reality of war overrode propaganda attempts