Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

Many think that the only reasons Germans fought by late 1944 was because they deluded themselves into thinking they could win. However, Alfons claims they fought because they knew that their enemies did not want to destroy merely National Socialism but the German people themselves. They are convinced of this in particular by the fire-bombing and deliberate killing of civilians in their population centers. The renewed German energy brings the American advance to a near standstill.

On December 16th, Hitler launches Germany's last major offensive in World War II. The enemy is caught by surprise. Hitler hopes to split the ultra-capitalist American and Britain from ultra-Marxist USSR, which he regards as an unstable alliance. Stalin mistrusts his Allies and if Hitler can stabilize the Western Front and send troops to Stalin, Stalin might relent.

The offensive is partly successful, but once the...