When the Nazis invaded, they did not intend to govern fairly. Instead, they stripped defeated nations of their treasures, industry, and natural resources, with the aim of asserting German supremacy and imposing Hitler’s New Order in Europe.

Paul Roland tells the story of daily life under Nazi rule in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Guernsey and the Channel Islands. This was brought to heel by bribery and brutality, rape and torture, inducement and intimidation as the Germans carried out their vile policies.

We hear of quislings and collaborators who conspired with their captors, the “enemies of the Reich”, including Jewish citizens who were rounded up and exterminated, as well as stories of incredible courage by individuals who struck back against the Führer.