Postwar Soldiers

Analyzing the early history of West Germany, Jörg Echternkamp explores the reinterpretation of the German military's role in World War II and the subsequent impact on veteran communities. He delves into how soldiers perceived themselves and how public debates shaped the rehabilitation of the German soldier's image. These discussions played a crucial role in legitimizing the democratic postwar order, highlighting the complexities of memory and identity in a nation grappling with its past.