The Wehrmacht, as an occupying power, was in the East a carrier of Nazi violent policies and differed little from the civil administration in this regard. Since the attack on the Soviet Union, the Wehrmacht was not only engaged in fighting the Red Army but also managed large parts of the country as an occupying force. Dieter Pohl provides a comprehensive analysis for the first time of the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war in the rear operational area. The violent practices of the Wehrmacht, especially against prisoners of war, Jews, and other "suspicious" civilians, were already evident early on; they were exercised autonomously or in conjunction with the SS and police apparatus from the very first days of the campaign.