Book
Open Access
The Impact of War Experiences in Europe
The Conscription of Non-German Men and Women into the ‘Wehrmacht’ and ‘Reichsarbeitsdienst’ (1938–1945)
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Edited by:
Nina Janz
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Funded by:
University of Luxembourg
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2025
About this book
Open Access
During World War II, over half a million men and women under Nazi occupation, who lacked German citizenship, were forcibly conscripted into the German Reichsarbeitsdienst and the Wehrmacht. The Nazis sought to legitimize this conscription by labeling these individuals as “deutsche Volkszugehörige” or “Deutschstämmige,” despite it being a clear violation of international law.
This collection explores the lives of these non-German conscripts, focusing on individuals from Slovenia, Poland (Silesia), Luxembourg, Belgium, and France. Each chapter adopts an actor-centered approach, examining their daily lives, social dynamics, recruitment, military deployment, and experiences in German uniform under coercion.
The authors cover cases of desertion and escapes to neutral countries, along with the repercussions for families, tracing the capture of conscripts as POWs and the complex processes of redeployment by the Allies against the Germans and the re-conscription by national governments. Through a rich collection of ego documents and personal records, this work vividly captures their complex realities, offering nuanced insights into the dynamics of occupation, coercion, and the shifting allegiances that defined wartime and post-war Europe.
This collection explores the lives of these non-German conscripts, focusing on individuals from Slovenia, Poland (Silesia), Luxembourg, Belgium, and France. Each chapter adopts an actor-centered approach, examining their daily lives, social dynamics, recruitment, military deployment, and experiences in German uniform under coercion.
The authors cover cases of desertion and escapes to neutral countries, along with the repercussions for families, tracing the capture of conscripts as POWs and the complex processes of redeployment by the Allies against the Germans and the re-conscription by national governments. Through a rich collection of ego documents and personal records, this work vividly captures their complex realities, offering nuanced insights into the dynamics of occupation, coercion, and the shifting allegiances that defined wartime and post-war Europe.
Author / Editor information
Nina Janz; Denis Scuto; Sarah Maya Vercruysse, C2DH, University of Luxembourg.
Topics
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I |
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V |
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VII |
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Nina Janz and Denis Scuto Open Access Download PDF |
1 |
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Part 1: Military Service – Citizenship, Conscription and Volunteering
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Denis Scuto Open Access Download PDF |
27 |
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Klemen Kocjancic Open Access Download PDF |
61 |
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Part 2: Exploring War Experiences Through Ego Documents
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Nina Janz Open Access Download PDF |
85 |
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Philippe Beck Open Access Download PDF |
127 |
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Monika Kokalj Kočevar Open Access Download PDF |
165 |
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Inna Ganschow Open Access Download PDF |
209 |
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Part 3: Desertion and Draft Evasion: Impact on Families and Communities
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Sarah Maya Vercruysse Open Access Download PDF |
241 |
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Konrad Graczyk Open Access Download PDF |
279 |
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Tobias Kossytorz Open Access Download PDF |
303 |
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Part 4: Prisoner of War Captivity and Re-Enlistment
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Machteld Venken Open Access Download PDF |
329 |
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Philippe Geny Open Access Download PDF |
359 |
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Félix Streicher and Nina Janz Open Access Download PDF |
395 |
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Jörg Echternkamp Open Access Download PDF |
427 |
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Open Access Download PDF |
433 |
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Open Access Download PDF |
437 |
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
December 30, 2024
eBook ISBN:
9783111128467
Hardcover published on:
December 30, 2024
Hardcover ISBN:
9783111083117
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Front matter:
8
Main content:
443
Illustrations:
8
Coloured Illustrations:
30
Tables:
3
Coloured Tables:
0
Audience(s) for this book
Academics in the field of history, military history, social history and Luxembourg history
Creative Commons
BY-NC 4.0
Safety & product resources
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Manufacturer information:
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Genthiner Straße 13
10785 Berlin
productsafety@degruyterbrill.com
