Summary 11 - The end of the war and German casualties Flashcards
The German populations of which nations and areas were driven out by the locals and the advance of the Russian forces towards the end of the war?
Poland, Czechoslovakia and East Prussia
As Russian forces entered Germany, how many Germans fled west?
3.5 million
The Nazi Gauleiters tended to leave the order to evacuate until the last minute. What was the impact of this?
Many soldiers were forced to march hundreds of miles. They faced the cold, hunger, disease and Allied attacks.
How many troops died as a result of the long evacuation marches endured by German soldiers in defeat?
500,000 to 1 million died
Many Germans fled to Western cities, how did they suffer once they arrived there?
They were devastated by Allied bombing, electricity and water had been cut and there was food shortages. Disease was also rife and many homes had been destroyed so the majority of the evacuees had nowhere to shelter.
Describe the morale of the German people at the end of the war?
The morale of the German people totally collapsed.
Was there any outward resistance towards the regime from ordinary Germans at the end of the war?
There were very few signs of any outwards resistance towards the regime, even when defeat was inevitable.
In the final days of the war, how quickly did the regime collapse?
In the final days of the war, the final collapse of the regime was swift. The hold of the regime evaporated.
How many Germans served in the Second World War?
16 million
How many Germans were killed in the Second World War?
3 million (some were killed in Soviet camps as prisoners of war)
