The creation of the Volkssturm on 18 October 1944 was a desperate measure by the Nazi government. This work follows the experience of a Volkssturm soldier from his call-to-arms through to his capture and treatment as a POW, examining his reaction to the creation of the German Home Guard and his response to the fighting into which he was thrust.



The creation of the Volkssturm on 18 October 1944 was a desperate measure by the Nazi government; all able-bodied males between the ages of 16 and 60 who were not already members of the German Armed Forces were conscripted into one organization. Poor equipment, lack of training and low moral took their toll on these men, who were unused to fighting and had little interest in the Nazi regime. David K. Yelton follows the experience of a Volkssturm soldier from his call-to-arms through to his capture and treatment as a POW, examining his reaction to the creation of the German Home Guard and his response to the fighting into which he was thrust.