The German military executed between 18,000 and 22,000 of its personnel in World War II on the charges of desertion and undermining the military spirit. Who were the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who had been condemned to death on these charges? Why had they deserted? Was there an archetypal deserter? What was the balance between consent and coercion in maintaining military discipline? This book addresses these questions as well postwar debates over whether Wehrmacht deserters should be treated as cowards, victims, or role models worthy of rehabilitation.