The Struggle for the Files

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The book delves into the complex history of German government records seized by American and British troops in 1945, which later played a crucial role in war crimes trials. It explores the West German government's efforts to reclaim these documents by 1949, symbolizing a key aspect of their emerging sovereignty. Through thorough research in multiple archives, it uncovers the significance of these files in shaping German historical narrative and the diplomatic negotiations surrounding their return, highlighting a critical yet often overlooked facet of early West German international relations.