This book combines Men-at-Arms 311: 'The German Army 1939-45 (1) Blitzkrieg', Men-at-Arms 316: 'The German Army 1939-45 (2) North Africa, Men-at-Arms 326: 'The German Army 1939-45 (3) Eastern Front 1941-43', Men-at-Arms 330: 'The German Army 1939-45 (4) The Eastern Front 1943-45 and Men-at-Arms 336: The German Army 1939-45 (5) Western Front, tracing the development of the German Army during World War II. On 1 September 1939, the date of Hitler's assault on Poland, his army numbered 3,180,000 - this figure would grow to 9,500,000, before dropping back to 7,800,000 by the time of the unconditional German surrender in May 1945. The range of specialist uniforms and equipment that were developed in response to the different demands of each theatre of war, from the days of Blitzkrieg advance to the final retreat, are all described and illustrated. Hitler's major campaigns in Western Europe, the Soviet Union, North Africa, and the Balkans are also summarised.