JWST 240 Chapter Notes - Chapter reading: Defecation
Document Summary
As of the winter of 1941-1942 the majority of germany"s soldiers were forced into trench warfare highly reminiscent of the western front of. Hitler believed that this was an all or nothing struggle for survival, a war of ideologies which demanded spiritual commitment and tried to compensate for the loss of technological superiority by intensifying the troop"s political indoctrination. The demodernized front led to several important consequences. It led to such heavy losses among combat groups that the traditional backbone of the german army, the primary groups were largely wiped out. In order to prevent disintegration of the army, the wehrmacht introduced and ruthlessly implement as extremely harsh disciplinary system which gave a military and ideological legitimation. In compensation for obedience, troops were given license to vent their anger and frustration on the enemy"s soldiers and civilians. The demodernization of the front enhanced the brutalization of the troops and made soldiers more receptive to ideological indoctrination.
