Die deutsche militärische Führung in der Kriegswende

For the German military high command the year 1943 represented the culminating point of the second world war. Whereas the previous year saw a strong initiative on the part of Germany (Russia, Africa, submarine war­ fare), from the beginning of the year 1943 the axis powers were forced to take the defensive in Africa and Stalingrad. In the same year, however, the defence maintained by the German troops on all fronts was no longer suffi­ ciently effective to hold lines and territories securely. The German Luft­ waffe lost its air superiority over German territory, submarine warfare came to a sudden end, men and material - particularly ammunition and fue- became increasingly scarce despite the strongly intensified efforts of the industries concerned. German research institutes could no longer keep pace with the new developments in the field of electronic engineering. The re­ organized armoured forces were squandered and worn out at numerous danger points, the last battleship was lost without any success, the rest of the operation al Luftwaffe supported only the immediate front lines (when enough fuel was available). Germany's main ally on the continent, Italy, dropped out of the war. All strategical and tactical efforts in the military field were unable to avoid the inevitable fact that the decision had been irre­ vocably cast against Germany. Resume Pour le Commandement Militaire Allemand, l'annee 1943 constitue le point culminant de la deuxieme guerre mondiale.