Customer Reviews

Barbarossa, 1941: Hitler's War of Annihilation

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

As the author of this work I want to let the reading public know that this is the same book as my War of Annihilation, minus the photos. (A later printing includes an expanded photo section.) This is supposed to be a UK/EU edition, and as such is not supposed to be marketed in the United States. -- Geoffrey Megargee

I gave this book three stars for a beginner's perspective. This is a straight forward, easy read that might whet your appetite to explore further. The military overview is easy to follow not delving deeply into the battle, demanding little from the reader but the battle overview is not the main theme of this book.

From my perspective, the author uses the overview as a vehicle to discuss the brutality and criminality of the actions of the armies of both sides in the treatment of POWs, partisans, civilians and Jews though the German atrocities are predominate and the main theme of the book. This aspect consumes half the book. The author also feels these atrocities have been covered up from past writings and must right this misdeed. That may have been true at one time but that condition has been corrected over the last 20 years. The author lists many examples of indecent behavior that this war evolved into, including the German death squads that roamed the Russian countryside, killing innocents. The author describes one of Hitler's biggest blunders in losing the war by this brutality. The Russian people were looking for a saviour from Stalin and if the Germans had treated them properly, would, for the most part, have joined Hitler against Stalin. If this aspect of the war is new to you or sounds interesting you should read this book.

From the military aspect, most of the coverage concerns Army Group Center in its quest for Moscow. It mentions Smolensk, Vyzama, Bryansk. It also discusses the detour to Kiev, the logistics problems, the drive on Moscow and the Russian counter offensive in December. Von Leeb in the north and von Rundstedt in the south play a much smaller role in the book. In fact, the person who gets the greatest attention is Hitler. The author explains, in the first chapter, Hitler's political and prejudicial reasons for attacking Stalin. The second chapter explains the preparations and planning that was involved in launching this massive invasion. Between the first two chapters, the author consumes 30% of the narrative.
There are seven modest maps but no photos. There is a competent Notes section, Bibliography and Index that could be helpful if prevailed upon.

If the criminality aspect of the war interests you then this volume would be an ideal starter book for the author's concise style is highly readable and easy to follow but the reason for three stars is that this volume just scratches the surface militarily and criminality wise. There is much more that could be said. After reading the author's excellent "Inside Hitler's High Command", I was a little disappointed with this volume.

Though the following comment does not figure into my rating, I thought it should be said. Also, there is hardly any evidence given on the ruthless and inhumane acts perpetrated by the Soviets. There is little said about what the Russian soldier or civilian had to endure or the half million Germans living in Russia from the NKVD or political commissars or even the ruthless commanders. Then there is the inhumane treatment the Russians inflicted on the Germans. What Konev did to the escapees at the Korsun Pocket is a perfect example. Then of course there is the savage treatment Eastern Europe and Germany received after the war. The author notes that the Soviet side is not in his purview but just because he acknowledges it doesn't make it right. There has been a bigger coverup of the atrocities of the Soviets and this story should be told as well.

This book reminds me of a condensed, less detailed version of Martin Gilbert's "The Second World War". If you find you like this reviewed book and want to read more about the atrocities perpetrated or if you want a more demanding, comprehensive book, the Gilbert book(s) would be the next logical step up. If you want more on the operational aspects, books by David Glantz, Robert Kershaw or even Werner Haupt could come in handy.