Product Review

During the Cold War, East Germany planned for an eventual Red Dawn scenario directed at its neighbor and enemy West Germany. Based on declassified East German and Warsaw Pact archives, author Nevin Gussack explores East Berlin's war and occupation plans for their brethren in the West. East Germany also launched subversive operations against their brethren in the West, which included support for the local communist party, leftwing groups, and the peace movement; lobbying greedy industrialists and CSU/CDU politicians; and support for terrorist groups such as the Red Army Faction/Baader Meinhof Gang. Even more disturbing was East Berlin's sheltering and usage of ex-Nazis and support for pro-Soviet West German neo-Nazis. East Germany's relations with Nazism belied its anti-fascist, humanist image and revealed its Prussian, militarist core. The Red Prussians is an excellent companion to Nevin's book Red Dawn in Retrospect.