The outcome of the Second World War was decided on the Eastern Front. Denied a swift victory over Stalin’s Red Army; Hitler’s Wehrmacht found itself in a bloody; protracted struggle from late 1941 that it was ill-prepared to fight. Although many pictorial books have been published on Germany’s hapless invasion of the Soviet Union; they are typically a collection of soldiers’ snapshots or ‘official’ photographs taken by Propagandakompanien (PK) reporters. This book is different. It contains an extraordinary personal record of the war captured by a professional photographer; Walter Grimm; who served in the German Army in a communications unit. David Mitchelhill-Green brings Grimm’s previously unpublished photographs together with a carefully researched introduction. The 300 evocative black and white images provide an absorbing insight into the daily life and privations of the ordinary German soldier amid the maelstrom of history’s largest conflict. The Ukrainian people; many of whom initially welcomed the Germans as liberators; freeing them from the yoke of Bolshevik oppression; are also chronicled in this fascinating study of the fighting in Ukraine.
#95697 in Books Osprey Publishing 2015-08-18 2015-08-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 247.40 x 1.51 x 6.58l; 1.85 #File Name: 1472807952464 pages9781472807953
Review
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Excellent narrative and analysis of the Eastern Front in 1915By BractonThis book is the second in a planned four book history of the Eastern Front in World War One. Prit Buttar discusses strategy and tactics at just the right level of detail and complexity; satisfying the desire of a history buff and avoiding so detailed a narrative that would be mind-numbing to anyone but an expert. Buttar also discusses the political implications of the 1915 campaigns; but his focus is more on the campaigns themselves. And Buttar clearly has no heroes on the Eastern Front; he has the least criticism for Mackensen; commander of the German 11th Army; and for Falkenhayn; chief of the German general staff. By the time 1915 comes to a close (as does the book); you might wonder why Austria-Hungary and Russia did not face revolution in 1916. While excellent on the campaign narrative; Buttar also includes numerous excerpts of contemporary views from soldiers; generals; and political leaders from both sides. The British and French are also revealed to be quite unscrupulous in their Balkan intrigues; as well as being unable to have any influence on the Eastern Front. This is an excellent successor to the first volume in the series; it should be read by any serious student of the war. More importantly; it is quite accessible to one who comes to the subject for the first time.Having said all that; I have one quibble with the book -- the maps. The maps are adequate enough; but the size of the typeface for place names and unit identification is about 1 mm. In addition; the Russian corps identifiers are printed in a light gray which is just about unreadable. This isn't the only military history book that fails in presenting readable maps; but the seeming inability of authors; illustrators; and publishers to do better is simply baffling.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. This volume is a great addition to the first and I eagerly await the ...By PMA much needed detailed study of the eastern front in WW1. This volume is a great addition to the first and I eagerly await the forthcoming volumes. These represent an unparalleled study and presentation of events both strategic and tactical incorporating first hand accounts for authenticity. A single volume history of the eastern front is however much needed to replace Norman Stone's masterpiece. David Stone did not succeed in that endeavor with his recent book; which was very disappointing in content although well written.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good Book on 1915 in the EastBy Te BadaT’s Rating System0 to 5 with 0 the lowest score and 5 the highest and NA for not applicable:Books (nonfiction) Content 5 Coverage of topic 5 Adequacy of descriptions 5 Detail 5 Accuracy 5 References 5 Illustrations 3 Size 2 Detail 4 Captions 4 Sufficient Maps 2 Sufficient Drawings NA Sufficient Photos 5 Product worth the price - Yes; 5.Very detailed coverage of the 1915 campaign that presents a view from both sides. Some complain it is difficult to follow; but that it only because the maps are so dam small they are hard to see. Considering it is an Osprey book; and Osprey is known for their graphics; they could have done a much better job on the maps and not tried to use an 1/8 of a page we they needed a full page. This of course; is not a problem created by the author. I see no difficulty in following his text; it is just so complete it takes some time to read it. I would highly recommend the book for anyone interested in the 1915 campaign on the Eastern Front. It is certainly not for those with just a passing interest and could care less why the Germans were able to run the Russian railroads more effectively than their opponent or why the Russian command was not able to reinforce the threatened front near Gorlice. For those that don't want that type of detail; then order one of the 60 to 80 page Osprey picture books that cover similar topics.
