We are excited to announce the release of the edited volume "The Impact of War Experiences in Europe: The Conscription of Non-German Men and Women into the 'Wehrmacht' and 'Reichsarbeitsdienst' (1938–1945)" edited by Nina Janz and Denis Scuto, as part of the WARLUX project ("Soldiers and their communities in WWII: The impact and legacy of war experiences in Luxembourg").
This book is the result of the international conference in October 2022 on the war experiences of forced conscripted soldiers at the C²DH and from the WARLUX project ("Soldiers and their communities in WWII: The impact and legacy of war experiences in Luxembourg"), funded by the Fond National de la Recherche, FNR (2020–2024).
This publication is Volume 2 in the De Gruyter series "Studien zur transnationalen Zeitgeschichte Luxemburgs" and features 13 contributions from scholars across Europe. The book delves into the wartime experiences of men and women who were forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht and Reichsarbeitsdienst during World War II.
Book Launch Event
We warmly invite you to join us for the official book launch to celebrate this significant contribution to the study of WWII history. Details of the event are as follows:
- Date: 5 February 2025
- Time: 4 pm
- Venue: Black Box, Maison des Sciences humaines, Belval Campus
- Registration appreciated
About the Book
During World War II, over half a million men and women under Nazi occupation, who lacked German citizenship, were forcibly conscripted into the German Reichsarbeitsdienst and the Wehrmacht. The Nazis sought to legitimize this conscription by labeling these individuals as "deutsche Volkszugehörige" or "Deutschstämmige," despite it being a clear violation of international law.
This edited collection explores the lives of these non-German conscripts, focusing on individuals from Slovenia, Poland (Silesia), Luxembourg, Belgium, and France. Each chapter adopts an actor-centered approach, examining their daily lives, social dynamics, recruitment, military deployment, and experiences in German uniform under coercion.
Key themes include:
- Desertion and escapes to neutral countries.
- Repercussions for families and communities.
- Capture as POWs and redeployment by the Allies.
- Post-war re-conscription by national governments.
Through a rich collection of ego documents and personal records, this volume vividly captures the complexities of forced recruitment, highlighting the dynamics of occupation, coercion, and shifting wartime allegiances. It provides nuanced insights into how these experiences shaped post-war identities and legacies.
Presentation by the Editors
The editors, Nina Janz and Denis Scuto, will present the book and its chapters, with a particular focus on the Luxembourgish perspective. Their insights will highlight the local impact and legacy of forced conscription in Luxembourg, offering an in-depth view into the region's unique experiences during and after the war.
We look forward to seeing you at the launch and discussing this important work with you!
For more information or to pre-order the book, visit the publisher's website.