DOC Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege: 1942-1943 by Antony Beevor in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. RivetingBy Dataman“Stalingrad” is a well-researched; riveting account of the horrific battle that ultimately led to the failure of Hitler’s offensive in Russia. Antony Beevor’s book examines the experience of combatants and non-combatants on both sides of the struggle. Eyewitness accounts and soldiers’ letters richly capture the mood on both sides. Beevor is balanced in his treatment of the two sides; contrasting both German and Soviet points of view. While excellent; Beevor’s account is not for the faint of heart. The conditions endured by both troops and civilians were unrelentingly horrific; unlike anything I’ve encountered before.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Another Stalingrad adventureBy Kent Forrest "Mac User"This is a very good read for the victory of the 62nd Soviet Army at Stalingrad. Lots of interesting stories make it easy reading while still detailing the factual history. Stalingrad battle was the turning point for the Nazis in their Russian adventure and for that matter made the invasion of Europe less costly to the Allies than had it not succeeded. There are numerous histories written of this battle and this one provides lots of details as to why the Germans lost and the Russians finally succeeded.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Whose Phoenix Would Rise at Stalingrad?By James E. EgolfAnthony Beevor wrote a solid well researched history of The Battle of Stalingrad. Many historians correctly argue that the Battle of Stalingrad was "the turning point" of WW II in Europe. While Hitler and Stalin made miscalculations and blunders during the German invasion of the USSR (June 22;1941) known as Operation Barbarossa; Hitler was the one whose egomania was fatal to the Germans and his own political power. Or; as the adage goes; "Pride goes before the fall" which Hitler co. realized too late.Beevor correctly wrote (page 33) that Hitler was so over confident that early during the German invasion of the USSR; Hitler refused to prepare the Germans for total war re the German economy and all-out war. Hitler and his advisers demeaned the Russians and other Slavic peoples as inferior and subhuman. Such arrogance was enhanced by easy German victories Yet; some German commanders were uneasy with the invasion; and von Ribbentrop had a premonition of potential when negotiations collapsed leading the war. As Beevor and other Russian/Soviet historians noted; von Ribbentrop told the Soviet foreign minister; Molotov; to apologize to Stalin for the upcoming war. As an aside Burton Klein's book titled GERMANY'S ECONOMIC PREPARATIONS FOR WAR illustrated Hitler's refusal to prepare for total war until the war was brought to the Germans in 1944.Among the major blunders committed by Hitler and his commanders was the brutal mistreatment of Slavic people and Jewish people. One German commander who had a conscience; commander Groscurth; wrote to his wife that with such calloused brutality that the Germans should not be allowed to win the war. A few other German commanders expressed similar sentiments which obviously "fell on deaf years." This cruelty was a blunder because in engendered hatred vs. the German invaders resulted in a fierce partisan warfare behind German lines which caused intense fear in the rear of German lines. Little did the Germans know about the reactions and hatred they incited.Not only did the Germans have to face a ferocious Red Army; they had to contend with Mother Nature. Beever argued that Hitler should have learned from the failed battle of Moscow (1941-1942) when General Winter helped defeat the Germans. Yet; the Germans renewed a drive toward Stalingrad. Beever described the hot summer of the Russian steppe which one German commander compared to the heat in Africa. The Germans thought the hot summer temperatures would be welcomed by the Germans. However; such warm temps were a hindrance to the Germans. The heat attracted insects to attack the wound of German casualties. The heat caused exhaustion among German troops.As Beevor wrote; the closer the Germans got to Stalingrad; Soviet resistance stiffened. For example; one Red Army soldier was severely wounded and lost the use of his right arm. When medics wanted to retire him from the combat; he responded that he could throw grenades with his left arm. What amazed the Germans were the women who manned antiaircraft guns. In spite of German bombardment; these brave women continued to man their guns in spite of the obvious danger when also impressed and encouraged their male counterparts.Further German blunders included reliance on Hungarian; Italian; and Romanian units protecting their flanks. The Romanians; Hungarians; and Italians fought bravely. However; the Soviets easily destroyed these troops. The "foreign" units known as Hiwis did not have the artillery and heavy tanks to oppose Soviet T 34 and other heavy tanks. The Germans discredited the Hiwis; but the Germans failed to mentioned were not adequately supplied to repel the better equipped Soviet troops. Soviet military discipline was severe and sometimes excessive. Appropriately 13;000 Soviet troops were executed for desertion; cowardliness; and dereliction of duty. A 19 yard junior lieutenant was shot because two of his men deserted from his platoon; but he had been at Stalingrad and did not know the men in his platoon. The excesses were relaxed but still severe.One of the situations that Hitler and German commanders did not want to face was street fighting in Stalingrad. Yet; German shelling bombing caused destruction and unintentionally created barricades and severe angles for Soviet troops. The Soviets had a loosely organized institution called the Stalingrad Street Fighting Academy whose troops were experts at street fighting and house-to-house combat. The fact was that the Germans did not have the manpower for protracted urban warfare.As the Germans found much to their chagrin; the Soviets were experts at camouflage. The Soviets would make images of Hitler to taunt Germans. When the Germans went to destroy these images; the images were armed with grenades.When the Germans used barbed wire to protect them from hand grenades. The Soviet Red Army troops attached hooks to their grenades which would attach to the barbed wire. Deadly Soviet snipers; including deadly women snipers; took their physical and psychological toll on the German troops.Beevor wrote sections that as German hopes were fading; Soviet morale increased. The Soviets knew that the Germans were dyeing from frost bite; severe famine; infections from wounds; and the usual combat. German physicians could not handle the increase casualty lists. The Soviet intelligence network was well aware of these conditions and made every effort to increase the misery and showed no mercy. Tragically; when Red Army troops were aware of the deplorable of their own comrades as POWs; they took terrible vengeance on German troops and the German wounded .The relentless Soviet pressure re Stalingrad is illustrated by the Christmas; 1942. The Germans tried as best they could to celebrate the Holiday. However; the Soviets did not care and attacked German positions regardless of the Holiday Season. What began as a touching attempt at Christmas celebration; the Soviets did not care and were; again; relentless in finishing General Paulus' Stalingrad troops and command.Given the terrible German situation at Stalingrad; the German commanders and "rank-and-file" were bitter at Hitler; Goring; and other leaders of the Hitler regime. Promises of reinforcements; food; medical supplies; and leaves were unfulfilled. German commanders and troops were bitter at the Hitler regime for the terrible conditions suffered by both officers and NCOs. The Hitler promise of the "Phoenix rising from the ashes" was pure fantasy which the German survivors know.When von Paulus finally surrendered; Hitler; Goring; Himmler; and associates were furious. Hitler was bitter that Paulus and other German commanders did not "fight to the death." The Hitler regime whined about losing Stalingrad when these megalomaniucs were primarily responsible for the huge loss at Stalingrad. As any alert reader knows; WW II was actually won or lost on the Russian Front.Anthony Beevor's book is well done. His descriptions of the suffering and death of both the Germans and Soviets are vivid; and his statistics are as accurate as any researcher can do. Beever along with other HONEST historians bluntly make their case that the European theater of WW II was won or lost on the Russian Front. Readers who like good research and good written expression will appreciate this book.May 19; 2016James E. Egolf