Hitler wanted to exterminate the German race?

[ironduck]

Alright, I wasn't aware usw was a specific (and misleading I think) term as you describe it. I also still think that the distinction of principle I referred to was clearly there in this regard, and as such the Total War concept really isn't total. Clearly the Germans conducted war in rather different ways depending on who they were, with very different regards for life.

In conflicts like Congo 1998-2002 and other African wars the main objective seems to be causing as much suffering to the civilian population as possible, using rape as an outright tactic of terror.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

The ends justifying the means? Sure, that sounds like any ruthless dictator. We are talking about *war crimes* here - it's not an empty phrase, in case you are not aware.

Yes the ends do justify the means in this case.

And dont try implying im like Hitler, im just being realistic.

Country is bombing the hell out of your civilian population, what are you going to do? Take the moral high ground.

 

[privatehudson]

I also still think that the distinction of principle I referred to was clearly there in this regard, and as such the Total War concept really isn't total. Clearly the Germans conducted war in rather different ways depending on who they were, with very different regards for life.

Indeed, again in this respect the title of Total War is in a way misleading other than in a very broad respect. We humans often use misleading terms though to describe periods or policies, I just find it easier to use the common term than having to explain what I mean a lot I guess.

 

[ironduck]

Yes the ends do justify the means in this case.

And dont try implying im like Hitler, im just being realistic.

Country is bombing the hell out of your civilian population, what are you going to do? Take the moral high ground.

I already replied to you in a prior post and am not going to comment further. The willful slaughter of civilians for no millitary purpose is wrong in so many ways that if you can't see it I can't help you.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

No military prupose eh?

Reducing the efficency of industry.
Reducing the morale of fighting troops
Revenge.
Raise the morale of your own country.

 

[rilnator]

No military prupose eh?

Reducing the efficency of industry.
Reducing the morale of fighting troops
Revenge.
Raise the morale of your own country.

Good points-especially the last one. The British people got great benefit from the knowledge that they were able to strike back at the Germans during the Battle of Britain, and afterwards when the only fighting was in North africa.

Dunno about your second point though. From what I've read returning home to devestated cities fired up the German boys. Gave them reason to hate the Americans and British because of their 'terror fliers'. And gave the Nazis good propaganda material.

 

[Nobody]

What I said was that as far as warfare was concerned, there was little millitary reason for it

This was a total war, where everyone able was drafted, if you kill 10 civilians, then thats 10 that cant get drafted and come kill you. If you blow up a soliders wife and kids maybe he will get depressed and maybe he will be thinking about then, instead of seeing your troops poking there head around a wall, maybe he wont notice as they shot him. Maybe if you blow up one ton of food, then that one ton wont get to the front to feed the soliders and maybe the enemys stomac will be taking there mind of the war just long enough for one of your men to blow his head off. When the entire state is mobilised for war, then the entire state is a target. In a fight you don't not kick someone in the nuts because the nuts dont hit you back. and in a fight to the death you hit them in the nuts even if its not right because he will kill you, and he has no problem kicking you in the nuts

 

[Zardnaar]

This was a total war, where everyone able was drafted, if you kill 10 civilians, then thats 10 that cant get drafted and come kill you. If you blow up a soliders wife and kids maybe he will get depressed and maybe he will be thinking about then, instead of seeing your troops poking there head around a wall, maybe he wont notice as they shot him. Maybe if you blow up one ton of food, then that one ton wont get to the front to feed the soliders and maybe the enemys stomac will be taking there mind of the war just long enough for one of your men to blow his head off. When the entire state is mobilised for war, then the entire state is a target. In a fight you don't not kick someone in the nuts because the nuts dont hit you back. and in a fight to the death you hit them in the nuts even if its not right because he will kill you, and he has no problem kicking you in the nuts

We've gone over this alot here in the history section and it usually leads to a flamewar. Maybe this thread should be locked as its drifted way off target.

 

[Adler17]

Indeed. I can´t hear that bullsh*t any more.

Adler

 

[Zardnaar]

Indeed. I can´t hear that bullsh*t any more.

Adler

Well we don't agree on it (wish it never happened though) but yeah we don't need to drag that up again (and agaain, and again etc).