Operation Barbarossa was the largest military campaign in history. Springing from Hitler’s fanatical desire to conquer the Soviet territories; defeat Bolshevism and create ‘Lebensraum’ for the German people; it pitted two diametrically opposed armed forces against one another.The invasion began with 4.5 million troops attacking 2.3 million defenders. On one side was the Wehrmacht; without any doubt the world’s most advanced military force. On the other were the Soviet armed forces; downtrodden; humiliated; decapitated and terrorized by an autocratic and crude dictator with no military education whatsoever. Initially Operation Barbarossa led to a row of unparalleled tactical victories for the attackers. In just five months; an area of around 1.4 million square kilometres was captured. Tremendous losses were inflicted on the Soviet armed forces. 566;852 troops were listed as killed in action; 2;335;482 as missing in action (including POWs); and around 500;000 Soviet reservists had been captured while still mobilizing - making a total of approximately 3.4 million total losses. But by the end of December 1941; Operation Barbarossa had ground to halt; how was this possible? Christer Bergström tells the story in great detail; as with The Battle of Britain: An Epic Conflict Revisited he combines facts and figures with the human stories behind the action; and draws new conclusions based on many years of research in German and Russian archives.
#77052 in Books imusti 2017-01-18 2017-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .90 x 6.10l; .0 #File Name: 1611212863240 pagesSavas Beatie
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Ronald DupreeA great book.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book by two wonderful authorsBy CustomerExcellent book by two wonderful authors. A detailed account of Sherman's Carolina's Campaign from men that have studied the ground where these battles were fought.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An Outstanding Book that should be read by all students of Sherman's Carolinas Campaign and an almost forgotten battle.By David MarshallWhile the Battle of Aversasboro has been over since 1865; Mark Smith and Wade Sokolosky have brought it to life with their revised volume. Originally published by Ironclad Publishing in 2006; Savas-Beatie has published a completely revised and updated version of “No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar: Sherman’s Carolina's Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro; March 1865. This title includes 19 outstanding maps and 75 helpful images. This fabulous publisher of many outstanding Civil War books are well known for including quality maps. Cartographer Hal Jespersen once again has produced superior maps that makes it easier for readers to understand the movement of the armies involved in this wonderful study. Added to this revised treatment is an accommodating self-tour from the Museum of Cape Fear at Fayetteville to the Averasboro Battlefield providing trampers with a great opportunity to gain from the experience to visualize the fighting of the campaign and the battle.The book opens with a look at both armies and the military situation at the end of 1864. The March to the Sea was over and Savannah became a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln. Following communications with General Ulysses Grant; Sherman started on his movement up the coast to help end all Southern resistance and bring the fighting to an end. Uncle Billy’s men were able to destroy all resistance in South Carolina; and moved to North Carolina with the goal of reuniting with Grant and terminating Lee’s forces. In March of 1865; Southern forces prepared to stop this Sherman’s drive. Hardee was able to line up his men into three lines which successfully slowed Sherman’s juggernaut; allowing the Union forces to ultimately control the battlefield but allowed his Confederate forces to fight another day.The authors answer many of the questions that have confused academics about the Battle of Averasboro. Besides providing a complete order of the battle; these outstanding authors provide serious students with Sherman’s preparation for the Carolinas Campaigns; and trace his advancement through South Carolina to Fayetteville. Seven valuable appendices are offered to enhance the understanding of this battle and campaign including informative essays and an enlightening letter from a Southern teenager; Janie Smith that provides intense feelings and understanding of the Southern Cause.Mark Smith and Wade Sokolosky gives readers the infrequent; moment-to-moment glimpses of the battle as it impacted the citizen soldiers who fought it. Far from being tiresome; their description of the fight is gripping and compelling. The writers do not limit this kind of vivid description to only generals and other officers. Students are treated to a number of poignant quotes and scenes involving soldiers in the ranks throughout the text. The greatest contribution this tome offers is its detailed treatment of the Battle of Aversasboro and; as the author’s note; has been all but lost from history. This campaign and battle helped bring an end to the Confederacy and the Civil War.Exploring a pivotal but often overlooked battle in the Civil War; The Battle of Averasboro is one of the first book-length examination of this end of the war. Well written and well researched; this tapestry offers invaluable descriptions of troop movements and battle actions; as well as important analysis of strategy and how individual battles fit into the larger context of Sherman's Carolinas Campaign. This excellent study builds on Smith’s and Sokolosky’s earlier work on The Battle of Wise’s Fork’s; providing a gripping story in 1865. The volume reflects the author's sure grasp of sources; sharp eye for biographical detail; and ability to evoke the drama and complexity of military events. Anyone interested in the March To The Sea and especially Sherman's final campaign that brought a change in both Union and Confederate national morale in 1864-1865 will read this narrative with profit. As always; these U.S. Army veterans delivers a beautifully-written and thoughtfully-analytical modern Civil War Historiography. They share their unique gift of culling gems from the historical record; bringing to the reader moving personal experiences of the soldiers on the ground. Also; both of them are masterful at lucidly explaining technical characteristics of warfare such as planning; execution of military operations; operation tempo; lessons learned; operation and fields of fire; terrain maneuvering; weaponry; and assessment. This reviewer recommends this title.
