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This is an excellent hardcover example of the very heavily illustrated Nazi photo book So wurde Grossdeutschland (How Greater Germany Was Created...) by Martin Bochow as published by Büchergilde Gutenberg in Berlin in 1938.

Billed as "... a Photographic Document of those Historically Decisive Days in the Spring of 1938" and "a Memorial Book for Children and Grandchildren" So wurde Grossdeutschland tells the story of the Anschluss or reunification of "German-Austria with Germany" (to form Grossdeutschland or Greater Germany) in big, clear one-to-a-page photographs with brief captions.

The photos show every aspect of the process from the horrible living conditions in Austria under the Schuschnigg government, to the peaceful triumphant entry into the country by SS and Wehrmacht troops, and the April plebiscite in which 97% of Austrians voted for reunification.

There were swastika flags in abundance as Hitler drove through the countryside to Wien (Vienna). He stopped at Leonding for a visit to the grave of his parents and stopped at Linz, Melk and St. Pölten. At the same moment Austrian troops across the country were adding the eagle and swastika to their uniforms and swearing allegiance to Hitler and Germany.

Crowds climbed atop every obstruction for a glimpse of Nazi Führer and German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, a native son of Austria. In the background of the photos of Hitler the reader can pick out the faces of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, Reinhard Heydrich, Hermann Göring, Seyss-Inquart and others who made sure that Hitler's visit came off without a hitch.

Other photos show the follow-up as Hitler and Dr. Ing. Fritz Todt opened construction of the Reichsautobahn across Austria, and Rudolf Hess, Josef Bürckel and other high ranking Nazis began the process of integration. The Hilfszug Bayern fed many people, Archbishop Cardinal Innitzer issued a welcome proclamation and a costumed citizenry welcomed their liberators! So wurde Grossdeutschland also contains photos of Hitler's visit to Prague and Memelland, other parts of the new Greater Germany.

This comprehensive Nazi photo book has a linen spine, measures 7-1/2 x 10 inches, has152 pages. This 83 year old example of So wurde Grossdeutschland is in nice used condition, but please note the front flyleaf was torn out. This was probably done by a previous owner because it had a dedication or name on it.