Christopher Bellamy

Excelente y detallada descripción de la guerra entre la Alemania de Hitler y la Unión Sovieta de Stalin. Abarca todas las operaciones con énfasis entre finales del 41 hasta mediados del 42, el período más crítico y casi absoluto de la IIGM. Digo casi absoluto porque lo único que faltó fue el uso de guerra química, aunque Bellamy detalla que podría haber habido el uso de guerra bacteriológica. Abarca las operaciones, la economía, la guerra partisana y el período luego de la derrota de Alemania hasta la rendición de Japón.

Hay que tener en cuenta que el autor incluye más de las estadísticas rusas que las alemanas, por lo que algunas pueden estar infladas (pérdidas alemanas) y otras disminuidas (las rusas). Por ejemplo, la destrucción de 431 aviones en Tatsinskaya, mientras que los registros alemanes indican 50, la pérdida de 500 bombraderos antes de Kursk, que los alemanes indican como 23.… (meer)

Comprehensively detailed account of Communist Russia (USSR) v Fascist Nazi Germany & its allies: also covers the campaign in the Far East against Japan. A Bibliography of 15 pages & 83 pages of Notes & References indicates the author's commitment to cover every aspect of the immense War on the Eastern Front that many consider the decisive conflict of WW2. The cold-hearted leadership of the Political elite plus the calculated planning of Nazi & Red snr Staff Officers is well documented. The author describes a vast frontline that often resembled the worst excesses of the 'meatgrinder' proportions experienced in WW1 with indiscriminate brutality, face-to-face frenzy and ghastly sacrifice by both sides set in enlightening detail.… (meer)

I admit more than a fascination with the Eastern Front - the largest land front in military history.

This book takes the long view - starts before the Second World War, and ends with the Japanese surrender in September 1945. Massive amounts of original research, sweeps away many of the past myths on the war. Staggering amounts of detail - and still very readable.

Good portraits of many of the dominant figures as well - how their relations affected the lives of thousands. Stalin, in particular, is given a good deal of interest. Such is the nature of the totalitarian state - it invariably leads to personality analyses of those at the top. Also a good analysis of the NKVD, which I had not previously read of in this context.

Of course, no history is totally perfect. But this is excellent and fills in many gaps in this most terrifying story.… (meer)