What Percent Of German Soldiers Died In WW2?

What Percent Of German Soldiers Died In WW2?

World War 2
German soldiers of the 24th Panzer Division in action. During the fighting for the southern station of Stalingrad.

It is difficult to provide a specific death rate for soldiers in the German army during World War II, as the rate varied depending on a number of factors including the theater of war, the time period, and the specific unit or division. However, some estimates suggest that the overall death rate for German soldiers during the war was around 25%.

During the early years of the war, German soldiers were able to achieve a string of rapid victories, and the death rate was relatively low.

However, as the war progressed and the tide began to turn against Germany, the death rate increased dramatically.

German soldiers as prisoners of war. In the background is the heavily fought-over Stalingrad grain elevator.

On the Eastern front, the German army suffered heavy casualties as they fought against the Soviet Red Army, with some estimates putting the death rate for German soldiers on the Eastern front at around 50%.

For more on the Eastern front read our piece: Why Did Germany Lose The Battle of Stalingrad?

Furthermore, as the war moved into its final stages, and the Allied armies advanced into Germany itself, the death rate for German soldiers continued to rise.
A color photo of Hitler listening to a soldier

In addition, many German soldiers, who were often young and inexperienced, were caught up in the brutal fighting of the final months of the war, and the death rate for these soldiers was high.

Additionally, the German army suffered heavy casualties as they became forced to fight on multiple fronts.

The German soldiers had to face the onslaughts from the Soviet Union, western allies, and the Italian resistance. The death rate was higher in certain operations like the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Berlin.

April 1945: a member of the Volkssturm, the German home defence militia. Armed with a Panzerschreck, outside Berlin

In conclusion, the death rate for German soldiers during World War II was a high. Moreover, with estimates suggesting that around 25% of all German soldiers who served during the war were killed.

However, the rate varied depending on the specific time period and theater of war, with the death rate being particularly high on the Eastern front. And lastly during the final stages of the war as the Allies advanced into Germany itself.

German women washing clothes at a water hydrant in a Berlin street. A knocked-out German scout car stands beside them, 3 July 1945.

World War 2

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What Percent Of German Soldiers Died In WW2?