Part 3, Chapters 27-32 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 27, "The Wave form the West," opens with Speer ready to give in to the Gauleiters' pressure to control armaments production and ready to give in for lack of support unless Hitler clarifies the chain of command. Hitler delegates a decision to Goebbels and Bormann, who subordinate Speer to Goebbels and forbid him influencing Hitler directly. By September 1944, as the Allies are poised to invade Germany, Hitler orders demolition of all industrial installations. Speer holds it off by suggesting that reconquest is still possible and production of needed armaments and fuel must be continued up to the last moment. When Hitler demands ruthless "scorched earth," Speer tries to inspire sympathy for evacuees and reminds him that his order shows a loss of hope. To save face, Hitler goes along. He will not, however, evacuate Scandinavia. As fuel...