Hitler's Motor Racing Battles - The Silver Arrows Under The Swastika

By: Eberhard Reuss . 2nd hand book in very good condition

The 1930s was a fascinating decade in every conceivable way – including motor racing. This was the era of the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union 'Silver Arrows', at the time the most powerful, technically sophisticated and spectacular racing cars ever seen.

Over the years a good deal has been written about the cars, drivers and races, but almost nothing about the direct involvement of the Nazi regime in financing the teams and using them as naked propaganda. Now, at last, this vacuum in the historical record has been filled by Eberhard Reuss, whose meticulous research has involved numerous interviews and extensive work in federal, state and factory archives that have not been previously examined.

This book describes the involvement and support of Hitler, Goring, Himmler and other top Nazis in the evolution of the German motor industry and its racing teams, investigates in detail the financial support provided by the Nazi regime for the 'national racing cars' of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, and reveals other aspects of political activity and manipulation that occurred in the shadows.

Nazi involvement was also overt throughout this six-year period of motor racing. Most races were attended by a senior Nazi, Adolf Huhnlein, who reported directly to Hitler. The Nazi presence pervaded motor sport as it did the rest of Germany: race grids heavy with soldiers wearing swastikas, strong uniformed presence on victory podiums, and stiff arm salutes at the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union factories when winning cars returned.

It is revealed how German drivers and motor industry leaders, though claiming to be profoundly non-political, nevertheless allowed themselves to be harnessed to the Nazi political bandwagon, and how, despite being Nazi Party members and holding honorary ranks in the SS, most escaped punishment after the war and eventually resumed their careers. Thanks to his success as a racing driver and his contacts with SS chief Himmler and his lackeys, Hans Stuck was able to protect his half-Jewish wife from harassment and arrest.

Packed with new research and insight, this book is essential reading for anyone who is captivated by this remarkable period of motor racing.

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