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The German Army on the Eastern Front: An Inner View of the Ostheer's Experiences of War
Histories of the German army on the Eastern Front generally focus on battlefield exploits on the war as it was fought in the front line. They tend to neglect other aspects of the army's experience, particularly its participation in the racial war demanded by the leadership of the Reich. This ground-breaking book aims to correct this incomplete, often misleading picture. Using a selection of revealing extracts from a wide range of wartime documents, it looks at the totality of the Wehrmachts war in the East.
The documents have previously been unpublished or have never been translated into English, and they offer a fascinating inside view of the army's actions and attitudes. Combat is covered, and complicity in Hitler's war of annihilation against the Soviet Union. There are sections on the conduct of the war in the rear areas logistics, medical, judicial and the army's tactics, motivation and leadership. The entire text is informed by the latest research into the reality of the conflict as it was perceived and understood by those who took part.
The documents have previously been unpublished or have never been translated into English, and they offer a fascinating inside view of the army's actions and attitudes. Combat is covered, and complicity in Hitler's war of annihilation against the Soviet Union. There are sections on the conduct of the war in the rear areas logistics, medical, judicial and the army's tactics, motivation and leadership. The entire text is informed by the latest research into the reality of the conflict as it was perceived and understood by those who took part.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2018
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August 1, 2019
As a long-time Wargamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, I always find myself chuckling when I see German East-Front Wargame Armies and Model contests with lots of Fresh-looking voluminous equipage. This book proves the reality was usually far different. The German Army that moved into Soviet Russia in Summer 1941 was designed for quick victories- and reliant on a lot of different equipment acquired during the "Blitzkrieg" across Western and Central Europe 1939-1941. It was also using a logistical chain that had already proven overmatched in those earlier victories. Russia would prove the death march of the German Army- and this book shows you exactly how a Victorious rapier was ground down to a blunt dagger- but how it muddled through so effectively.
Based on new found divisional/corps level correspondence, authors Rutherford and Wettstein weave a really compelling tale of how a superior Military instrument in Western Europe proved so out if its depth against the Red Army. They address Tactics, Leadership, Logistics, The Occupation, Replacements and finally ideology and motivations. Along the way you get intelligent discussions of the Mortar Crises, the AT Gun Crises, the Replacement Crises, and of course the many Collaborator (There may have been 1.5 Million "Hiwis"- Russian collaborators fighting alongside the German Army) and Partisan Crises all during the 1941-1945 period. The book is thorough and compelling- never boring.
With little gore, but some adult concepts discussed, this book is good for Junior readers over about 11, although the focus on management might not impress youngsters. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- a real fun resource. I am sure many Scenarios/Diorama will be created and improved with this, especially if Game Masters will be encouraged to force German players to stop playing with their "Latest and Greatest" approach- and move them to "you get a random package of obsolete gear and STILL stop the enemy". Much more realistic if you make the guy who wants "4 Tigers, some Nebelwerfers and some Half-track SS Infantry" play instead with "4 outdated 37mm AT guns, some Infantry in French Buses that break down every two turns and a platoon of Short Barrel PZ IVs". German Combat commanders were effective despite their army's shortcomings- seldom because of its amazing material advantages. This book shows you how. A Strong rec.
Based on new found divisional/corps level correspondence, authors Rutherford and Wettstein weave a really compelling tale of how a superior Military instrument in Western Europe proved so out if its depth against the Red Army. They address Tactics, Leadership, Logistics, The Occupation, Replacements and finally ideology and motivations. Along the way you get intelligent discussions of the Mortar Crises, the AT Gun Crises, the Replacement Crises, and of course the many Collaborator (There may have been 1.5 Million "Hiwis"- Russian collaborators fighting alongside the German Army) and Partisan Crises all during the 1941-1945 period. The book is thorough and compelling- never boring.
With little gore, but some adult concepts discussed, this book is good for Junior readers over about 11, although the focus on management might not impress youngsters. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- a real fun resource. I am sure many Scenarios/Diorama will be created and improved with this, especially if Game Masters will be encouraged to force German players to stop playing with their "Latest and Greatest" approach- and move them to "you get a random package of obsolete gear and STILL stop the enemy". Much more realistic if you make the guy who wants "4 Tigers, some Nebelwerfers and some Half-track SS Infantry" play instead with "4 outdated 37mm AT guns, some Infantry in French Buses that break down every two turns and a platoon of Short Barrel PZ IVs". German Combat commanders were effective despite their army's shortcomings- seldom because of its amazing material advantages. This book shows you how. A Strong rec.
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