The Long Shadow of World War II : The Legacy of the War and Its Impact on Political and Military Thinking Since 1945

2020 marks 75 years since the end of World War II, yet even as the war slips from living memory, its legacies continue to influence current political and military thinking. This anthology will analyse these legacies for a number of countries and regions including China, Russia, the United States, the Near East, and Germany illustrating in detail how World War II is not merely a historical event, but a defining moment for current military and political thinking around the globe. This book will therefore be of interest for those interested in history, but also political and military decision makers, and followers of current political and military affairs. **Table of Contents** Foreword CGS Introduction: Dr Matthias Strohn France: Prof Olivier Schmitt Poland: Dr Paul Latawski Baltic States: Dr James Corum Austria and the Balkans: Prof Lothar Höbelt Germany: Dr Matthias Strohn USA: Dr Timothy Bird China: Prof Kerry Brown Russia: Pavel Baev Denmark: Dr Niels Poulsen UK: Prof Niall Barr Africa: Prof Richard Reid Netherlands: Prof Jan Hoffenaar Near East: Prof Mike Neiberg Conclusion: Maj Gen Dr Andrew Sharpe 2020 marks 75 years since the end of World War II, yet even as the war slips from living memory, its legacies continue to influence current political and military thinking. This anthology will analyze these legacies for a number of countries and regions including China, Russia, the United States, the Near East, and Germany illustrating in detail how World War II is not merely a historical event, but a defining moment for current military and political thinking around the globe. This book will therefore be of interest for those interested in history, but also political and military decision makers, and followers of current political and military affairs. Cover 1 Contents 6 Editor’s Acknowledgements 8 List of Contributors 10 Introduction: Why World War II Still Matters in the 21st Century 16 1 Misusing Victory 24 2 Belated Victory 42 3 ‘This Must Never Happen Again’ 60 4 Winning in the End 78 5 The Legacy of Soviet Post-war Occupation 92 6 Beyond the ‘Strange Defeat’ 108 7 ‘Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat’ 126 8 Total War, Total Victory 142 9 The Beginning of the End 158 10 Adhere to ‘Complete’ Armed Forces 176 11 The Ambivalent Results of 1945 196 12 ‘A distant past draws near’ 214 13 Destiny Interrupted 234 Conclusion: Gathering the Shadows 252 Select Bibliography 270 Index 274 Experts analyse the impact of World War II on individual countries and regions, and how its legacy continues to shape political and military thinking.