The history of the Hungarian theatre of war from late August 1944 to the end of March 1945 is a special chapter of the history of the Eastern Front during World War II. The Soviet 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts had encircled Budapest by Christmas 1944; after very heavy combat. However; this was just the first phase of a period of intense combat; as Adolf Hitler and the German High Command planned the relief of the Hungarian capital. The reinforced IV. SS-Panzerkorps was designated for this task and its units were transferred rapidly from Polish territory to Hungary. Two operational plans were swiftly devised by the Germans; before they chose that codenamed "Konrad". This was an armored strike from the Komárom region through the mountains south of the river Danube to the Buda side of the Hungarian capital. The first day of Operation "Konrad" was 1 January 1945; and marked the beginning of a series of fierce clashes that lasted for nearly six weeks; a very special period in the history of the Battle for Budapest. Both sides employed significant numbers of armored forces in these battles; including heavy tanks. The German-Hungarian forces tried to break through to Budapest three times in three different locations; but each time they struck relocated Soviet tank; mechanized; rifle; cavalry; artillery and anti-tank units from 3rd Ukrainian Front's reserve. In January 1945; furious tank battles developed in the eastern part of Transdanubia in Hungary; especially in the areas of Bajna; Zsámbék; Zámoly; Pettend; Vereb; Dunapentele and Székesfehérvár. After the third and strongest German attempt (code-named "Konrad 3"); which also failed; the Soviet troops launched a counter-offensive in late January 1945 to encircle and eliminate the advancing enemy forces. But the German armored Kampfgruppen managed to blunt the Soviet attack; which eventually wound down and fragmented; mirroring the German offensives before it. This work is based mainly on German; Soviet and Hungarian archival records (e.g. war diaries; daily and after-action reports; etc.). In addition; a number of rare unit histories; contemporary private diaries and reliable personal memoirs; from generals to enlisted men; have also been used by the author. The combat actions are extremely detailed; and provide a day-by-day account. The author analyzes the command and control systems at operational and tactical levels and the losses of both sides. For a better understanding of the events the book includes many detailed specially-commissioned color battle maps.
2014-01-07Format: Facsimile #File Name: 1906621314160 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Quaint And Curious Volume of Forgotten LoreBy Brian F. RedmanThe writing and spelling is "quaint" (from around 1690) and you've got to read what looks like a small "f" as an "s"; but get around that and this is an honest appraisal from the time of what various "fairy tales" seem to mean. The first half is an Introduction by a more modern writer; who tries to take a more "scientific" viewpoint and is helpful as sort of a point/counterpoint for the survey by Robert Kirk which follows. For a less "scientific" guess at the phenomena; this book is helpful; as is also Cotton Mather's "Wonders of the Invisible World."13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. An extraordinary life and storyBy E GaillardAnyone interested in folklore and forteana should seek out original source material whenever possible; and this is the real deal. Written by a Scottish clergyman who believed his status as a seventh son gave him special insight into the world of Celtic fairydom; this book is a fascinating account of 17th century folk belief; including eyewitness accounts and interesting interpretations of encounters. Andrew Lang's introduction; which is nearly as long as the book; is also well worth reading even if his personal opinions/prejudices overshadow his commentary. Whatever your view of the existence of Otherworld elves and fairies; this book is great food for thought.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Amanda lahA timeless classic. Very interesting book!
