By the summer of 1944; the war in Europe had reached a critical point. Both the western Allies and the Soviets possessed the initiative and forces capable of mounting strategic offensives against the German enemy. Writing a study of operations on first the Western then the Eastern Front; respected military analyst C. J. Dick provides a uniquely informative comparison of the different war-fighting doctrines brought to bear by the Allies and the Red Army in contemporaneous campaigns. His book offers rare insights into the strengths and weaknesses of generalship on both fronts. In volume 2; From Defeat to Victory; Dick turns to the Eastern Front; where battle lines stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea—nearly 1;500 miles to the Allies’ 600—and the Soviet armies and engagements dwarfed in scale those in the West. More importantly; they reflected a war-fighting philosophy significantly different than the Allies’; which in turn produced different military operations. The Soviets were masters of deception-and-surprise; a concept called maskirovka that was an essential part of every military operation. The Soviets were committed to highly mobile and high-tempo offensives. They massed troops in heavy concentrations to achieve a breakthrough that would quickly set conditions for decisive operational maneuvers; they were relentless in their will to destroy the enemy’s forces and; unlike their counterparts in the West; were willing to contend with an enormous amount of casualties. Dick’s analysis shows us how the Red Army; largely free of the political problems that constrained the Allies; was able to develop more radical operational ideas and implement them with a daring and ruthlessness impossible for the armies of democratic states.From Defeat to Victory also offers a critical lesson in the enduring importance of finding; inculcating; and implementing operational and tactical doctrine that fits the conditions of contemporary war; as well as in the technology; politics; and psychology of the times.
#1087877 in Books 2011-11-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.40 x 1.30 x 6.10l; 1.50 #File Name: 0700617930374 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The author's excellent book on the Atlanta Campaign drew me to this ...By Robert Brandon ClaycombThe author's excellent book on the Atlanta Campaign drew me to this volume; his most recent work and what I take to be a capstone to his distinguished career as a historian. I didn't find that it quite lived up to what I saw as its promise; as an overview of Union generalship written to the same standard as Decision in the West; mainly because the analysis here didn't prove quite as compelling. This is nevertheless one of the best such overviews I have found; and I highly recommend it.(To take one example of why this is an interesting read: Castel convinced me that General Rosecrans has been unfairly maligned; laid the blame for this low reputation at General Grant; and yet managed not to demonize Grant in the process. This speaks to the author's willingness to rethink received wisdom; his idea for telling detail; and his unwillingness to divide his subject into the simple binary of the elect and the damned. The result is nearly always insightful.)5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Boys in BlueBy JimmyI am an amateur historian who spends most of his time on the Civil War. I so thoroughly enjoyed Castel and Simpson's book (my Alma Mater also being Arizona State '74) that a review is required. The history is informative while being readable and does not weigh itself down in endless recounting of the names of each division; regiment and platoon engaged in the battles. Anyone wishing to understand the undercurrents that revolved around the Union Generals during this heralded conflict will much appreciate this writing. I particularly enjoyed their witty and insightful remarks which end most of the chapters; as being fair and balanced appraisals. Their appraisal of Rosecrans should awaken in amateurs a motivation to find our more and decide if they are correct. It is my belief that each of the Union generals brought something good and bad to the battlefield and we should look for balance not blame. I could only wish that Castel and Simpson would write another book on the illfated commanders in grey. I learned a great deal about the union commanders personalities; motivations; distrusts and deceitfulness by comrades in arms and that alone is well worth your time and money.4 of 7 people found the following review helpful. An insightful; interesting read by an accomplished historian.By SpSI am one of those amateur Civil War readers that appreciates the current trend toward more even handed; fact based writing. Mr. Castel's book is that. I just now finished the book which leaves me feeling I had a good conversation with a very knowledgeable friend. The missing fifth star is probably unfair on my part; given only because I don't like Rosecrans as much as he does.
