Sport and the Third Reich: History, Uniforms, Insignia, and Awards

A mass movement, propaganda, and physical and psychological terror were the components that Hitler believed to be necessary to gain control over a people and a nation; the Nazis used sport as a means to those ends. This two-volume set represents the first comprehensive attempt at examining the association of sport with the Third Reich, and contains over 2,200 images, the majority of which have never before been published. History, uniforms, insignia, awards, and many period photographs related to the association of sport with the Wehrmacht and organizations of the NSDAP is presented. The reader is provided with interesting historical information associated with sporting events, athletes, Third Reich personalities, and organizations of the NSDAP. The philatelist will enjoy the sport related German postage stamps that are shown. The 1936 winter and summer Olympics and the 1938 Breslau Games are covered. Hitler predicted that after 1940 the Olympics would be forever held in Berlin; Hitler was proven wrong and in September of 1945 the Allies staged an athletic competition in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. Volume 1 covers the DRL/NSRL, 1936 Winter and Summer Olympics, 1938 Breslau Games, the sport uniform, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine and Heer. Volume 2 covers the political leader, SA, NSKK, NKFK, SS/Police, Hitler Youth, DAF/RAD, and miscellaneous topics. Specific information related to each component of the sport uniform - shirt, shorts, shoes, bathing suit, and athletic training suit - is provided. The manner by which rank was conveyed on the sport uniforms of the Wehrmacht and the organizations of the NSDAP is dealt with in detail. These unique books are a must have for the military researcher, historian, and collector! See more