About the book: 2024 / This edition presents the works of two authors on the division of Germany and Austria into occupation zones by the Allied forces of the victorious powers in World War II . The author of the first of them, historian Michael Balfour, has many years of experience studying Germany. In 1945-1947 he held a post on the British element of the Control Commission. His story concerns one of the most difficult and darkest periods in the country's history - 1945-1946. after more than ten years of Nazi rule. John Mair, Political Officer of the British Element of the Commission, covers the same period but refers to the situation in Austria. Both works complement each other, shedding light on the four-party (USSR, Great Britain, USA and France) control over the two defeated countries. The publishing layout is saved in A4 PDF format.