Countdown to Victory: The Final European Campaigns of World War II – The Staggering Human Costs and Horrific Allied Losses in the War's Last Six Months

by Barry Turner

In most accounts of World War II, the last six months of fighting in Europe are tucked into an epilogue. After the Battle of the Bulge, the Nazis are assumed to be as good as defeated. In fact, they fought to their last breath. In the Hürtgen Forest, in the Po Valley of Italy, and in the German industrial heartland of the Ruhr, the Allies suffered horrific losses.

Drawing on never-before-published sources, Barry Turner captures the thrill of victory, the despair of defeat, and the staggering human costs of war. From the grunts on the ground to the machinations of generals and statesmen and the daily miseries of civilians caught in the crossfire, Turner brings this critical chapter of World War II searingly and indelibly to life.

Genres: History, World War II, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

494 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Barry Turner has been a full-time writer for 30 years. He has worked as a journalist and broadcaster in the field of politics, biography, travel and education, and is the author of over 20 books. He is a regular contributor to The Times as a book reviewer and serializer, and is the editor of the annuals The Writer's Handbook and The Screenwriter's Handbook.

Reviews

[David Vernon]

What an excellent read. So many books about World War 2 ignore or minimise the work the Allies had to do after D-Day to achieve victory and so this book fills in that information gap. Turner's selection of personal testimonies from both the Allied and German side make this a very personal and immersive read. I really was sorry when it was over.

Unfortunately the battles on the Eastern Front were nearly completely ignored and this is my biggest grip about an otherwise marvellous piece of historical research.

[Erik Graff]

This well-written book covers the war in the west from the Battle of the Bulge until the surrender(s) of German forces in the spring of 1945. A chronological narrative is amply punctuated by reminiscences of participants from both sides, military and civilian, excluding the Soviets.

[Tomi]

This book was an excellent read! Turner included many personal accounts by people in all areas...soldiers, prisoners, ordinary people. This made the book an easy read and made me feel as if I were a part of the story. The story begins in 1944 and ends with the signing of the armistice (and its impact) on May 8, 1945. There is a good balance between the soldiers and the hardships they faced and the civilians and their difficulties.

The only complaint I have is that occasionally I wasn't sure who the narrator was; the authors of the personal accounts were not always identified. It's really didn't detract from my reading experience, however. I definitely recommend this book!

[Lee Scordis]

Great primary sources of the Western front in WW2 that give us a real picture of the frontline. Also an interesting chapter on Yalta.

One downside is the lack of any mention of the war on the Eastern Front