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Battleground Prussia: The Assault on Germany's Eastern Front 1944-45
The terrible months between the arrival of the Red Army on German soil and the final collapse of Hitler's regime were like no other in the Second World War. The Soviet Army's intent to take revenge for the horror that the Nazis had wreaked on their people produced a conflict of implacable brutality in which millions perished.
From the great battles that marked the Soviet conquest of East and West Prussia to the final surrender in the Vistula estuary, this book recounts in chilling detail the desperate struggle of soldiers and civilians alike. These brutal campaigns are brought vividly to life by a combination of previously unseen testimony and astute strategic analysis recognising a conflict of unprecedented horror and suffering.
Hardcover edition ISBN: 9781849081900
From the great battles that marked the Soviet conquest of East and West Prussia to the final surrender in the Vistula estuary, this book recounts in chilling detail the desperate struggle of soldiers and civilians alike. These brutal campaigns are brought vividly to life by a combination of previously unseen testimony and astute strategic analysis recognising a conflict of unprecedented horror and suffering.
Hardcover edition ISBN: 9781849081900
482 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2010
80 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Prit Buttar
19 books116 followersPrit Buttar studied medicine at Oxford and London before joining the British Army as a doctor. After leaving the army, he has worked as a GP, first near Bristol and now in Abingdon. He is extensively involved in medical politics, both at local and national level, and served on the GPs’ Committee of the British Medical Association. He appears from time to time on local and national TV and radio, speaking on a variety of medical issues. He contributes regularly to the medical press. He is an established expert on the Eastern Front in 20th century military history.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 10, 2010
This is a very good account of the Russian offensives into Prussia during the final stages of WW2. The book is well researched and full of first-hand accounts from German soldiers and civilians plus a few from Russian soldiers who were involved in the fighting. There are a number of B&W photograph’s and a few basic maps, however I think that more maps would have been appropriate for this book. Although I have read a number of accounts of this period of WW2 this book managed to offer a lot of new information on the evacuations undertaken by the German Navy during this period. Overall a book well worth reading for anyone interested in the Second World War.
December 9, 2017
Ahhh-the titanic battles of WWII's Eastern Front. The time is from the end of Operation Bagration till the end of Nazi Germany. The setting Prussia, Silesia, Pomerania, and the Eastern portion of Germany. I still marvel at the troop numbers on opposing sides. The overwhelming Soviet Armies pitted against the remaining field and panzer divisions of the teetering Wehrmacht. German troops cobbled together whatever they could to throw in the way of the advancing Belorussian and Baltic Fronts (Soviet Army Groups). Slowly the Germans were forced into the Baltic peninsulas; Courland, Samland, and the others. Cities became besieged fortresses; Konigsberg, Danzig, and others. I still marvel that there were few divisions holding up entire Soviet armies, yet vast numbers of German forces were herded into pockets. Example Samland peninsula had an army surrender with 200,000 troops marching into captivity, yet there were only a few Volksturm, army, and panzer divisions-and these maybe at battalion strength.
One fatal flaw for the Germans continuously plagued them, lack of manpower. The German army was awash in rear area formations that could not be converted to suitable combat power. Time and time again, rear areas and stragglers were herded into the companies, battalions, and regiments to replace combat losses. What does the American Army look like? I have often heard of Vietnam with out 1 man in the field being supported by 10-12 rear echelon troops. Back to the review. Needless to say, the Germans could never hope to match the Tank, Shock, Rifle armies massed against it even if all rear echelon troops manned the lines. There was no hope. Yet, the panzer divisions repaired their tanks. A Tiger knocked out 20-30 Russians before it succumbed. Divisions were pulled out of Courland, refitted, then sent back to the Prussian lines. Shattered divisions retreated, regained some strength and went back into the battle. The German Army was slowly ground to dust.
Overall, a great book and another one down for the Russian Front.
Overall, another great
One fatal flaw for the Germans continuously plagued them, lack of manpower. The German army was awash in rear area formations that could not be converted to suitable combat power. Time and time again, rear areas and stragglers were herded into the companies, battalions, and regiments to replace combat losses. What does the American Army look like? I have often heard of Vietnam with out 1 man in the field being supported by 10-12 rear echelon troops. Back to the review. Needless to say, the Germans could never hope to match the Tank, Shock, Rifle armies massed against it even if all rear echelon troops manned the lines. There was no hope. Yet, the panzer divisions repaired their tanks. A Tiger knocked out 20-30 Russians before it succumbed. Divisions were pulled out of Courland, refitted, then sent back to the Prussian lines. Shattered divisions retreated, regained some strength and went back into the battle. The German Army was slowly ground to dust.
Overall, a great book and another one down for the Russian Front.
Overall, another great
April 24, 2018
This is a dense, analytical and very interesting book. I really enjoyed reading it, but only give it 3 stars because of a few serious niggles:
-the text is a mixture of very vivid, very interesting and oftentimes moving personal reports with rather arduous descriptions of battle orders and unit movements. Not mixing well
-Maybe because of that, you don't get the completeness you'd expect from a book of this size - there's no 'wow, now I know it all' feeling after you've read it
-the 'dry' parts are rather hard to read, and with a lack of (proper and enough) maps they become quite tedious...
-the text is a mixture of very vivid, very interesting and oftentimes moving personal reports with rather arduous descriptions of battle orders and unit movements. Not mixing well
-Maybe because of that, you don't get the completeness you'd expect from a book of this size - there's no 'wow, now I know it all' feeling after you've read it
-the 'dry' parts are rather hard to read, and with a lack of (proper and enough) maps they become quite tedious...
August 19, 2014
Using this one for serious research, I'm struck by a number of things.
The prose is good, but that probably means the book is more intended for light reading than a researcher. The map coverage is mostly terrible. Whoever designed the maps has confused standard NATO symbols for "battalion" with "division", etc., and worse, the maps are reproduced (at least in the paperback edition) such that the Soviets are in grey while the Germans are in black so they are almost indistinguishable from each other. The grey is very light and hard to read. But even worse than that, there are only a handful of maps - many sections of the text discuss events and troop movements which aren't depicted on any of the maps provided. You can only find the place names by looking at the master map at the front of the book, which has no front line for the various times being discussed. In short, very difficult to keep track of time and space.
The book is notable for being one of very few English-language texts on the subject. As I go through, the emphasis is firmly on the German side. It is not celebratory in the manner of some of the J.J. Fedorowicz titles, and there are a few attempts to include to Soviet side, but I don't detect a real Soviet POV throughout the text. This isn't necessarily a drawback and at least the operational decisions seem to be explored from the Soviet side, though one wonders how deep this analysis is.
Good for a general overview of the fighting in East Prussia as well as Pomerania. Would have benefited from much better maps, and perhaps an appendix with order of battle information, commander/formation names, etc. Squeezing all the data into the prose alone seems unusual and unnecessary for a subject this broad. Probably the fault of the publisher rather than the author.
The prose is good, but that probably means the book is more intended for light reading than a researcher. The map coverage is mostly terrible. Whoever designed the maps has confused standard NATO symbols for "battalion" with "division", etc., and worse, the maps are reproduced (at least in the paperback edition) such that the Soviets are in grey while the Germans are in black so they are almost indistinguishable from each other. The grey is very light and hard to read. But even worse than that, there are only a handful of maps - many sections of the text discuss events and troop movements which aren't depicted on any of the maps provided. You can only find the place names by looking at the master map at the front of the book, which has no front line for the various times being discussed. In short, very difficult to keep track of time and space.
The book is notable for being one of very few English-language texts on the subject. As I go through, the emphasis is firmly on the German side. It is not celebratory in the manner of some of the J.J. Fedorowicz titles, and there are a few attempts to include to Soviet side, but I don't detect a real Soviet POV throughout the text. This isn't necessarily a drawback and at least the operational decisions seem to be explored from the Soviet side, though one wonders how deep this analysis is.
Good for a general overview of the fighting in East Prussia as well as Pomerania. Would have benefited from much better maps, and perhaps an appendix with order of battle information, commander/formation names, etc. Squeezing all the data into the prose alone seems unusual and unnecessary for a subject this broad. Probably the fault of the publisher rather than the author.
March 18, 2019
The final stages of the most apocalyptic land war in modern history unfolded in what was then Prussia at the start of 1945. Most general histories of the eastern front tend to gloss over this campaign compared to others, so I wanted to really get into it. Battleground Prussia does not disappoint in that regard, holding little back as the final stages of the war in Europe involved giving Germany just a taste of what they had given to the USSR before.
All of the civilian accounts are naturally from locals who were mostly German, and that makes sense. But my one critique is that the combat accounts definitely had less happening on the Soviet side than the German one. Of course, this could be due to available sources rather than the author themselves.
All of the civilian accounts are naturally from locals who were mostly German, and that makes sense. But my one critique is that the combat accounts definitely had less happening on the Soviet side than the German one. Of course, this could be due to available sources rather than the author themselves.
October 26, 2020
Solid account of especially the German experience of the tragedies in late 1944 to 1945
November 20, 2020
This part of the second world war has been largely ignored by historians in favour of the bagration and Berlin offenses so to see a full book on it is rare (certainly in the the UK anyway) but this is not an easy read. Some of that may have been due to the kindle formatting which meant you could not tell when it was a quote from a diary or the main text admittedly; but I did not find that this flowed as well as some other books dealing with the eastern front (Beevor's book Berlin seems to have a better narrative flow). In terms of the military side it is excellent but this is very much one for serious students of the period rather than people looking for a more generic overview.
Buttar does cover some aspects of the eastern war which have largely been neglected; in particular the actions of the Kriegsmarine and the Soviet Baltic Fleet are only mentioned in passing in other works but here they receive a significant amount of attention. There are plenty of 'new' views here and Buttar makes it clear that this wasn't the red steamroller which has become so common in recent years. Instead he shows the Red Army suffering set backs and struggling against an army which in many ways outfought it at this stage of the war. It also does not shrink away from the atrocities which were committed by both sides but equally does not glorify them or apply modern moral views to them which is refreshing to say the least.
If you are a student of the period then this is an excellent book but for newcomers it would be very very hard going. I enjoyed it and got a lot from it but i am not sure how often i would go back to it.
Buttar does cover some aspects of the eastern war which have largely been neglected; in particular the actions of the Kriegsmarine and the Soviet Baltic Fleet are only mentioned in passing in other works but here they receive a significant amount of attention. There are plenty of 'new' views here and Buttar makes it clear that this wasn't the red steamroller which has become so common in recent years. Instead he shows the Red Army suffering set backs and struggling against an army which in many ways outfought it at this stage of the war. It also does not shrink away from the atrocities which were committed by both sides but equally does not glorify them or apply modern moral views to them which is refreshing to say the least.
If you are a student of the period then this is an excellent book but for newcomers it would be very very hard going. I enjoyed it and got a lot from it but i am not sure how often i would go back to it.
December 30, 2022
Battleground prussia by Paul Buttar
I was looking for The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Epic Siege at the Heart of WWII’s Greatest Battle at the library, and the algorithm recommended this book, as a substitute; I hope that the light house is better written; this book gives a smidgeon of history and summarizes a lot, but mostly the fighting of the last year; the Russians were pretty terrible to the German soldiers and civilians as well and some of the excesses are specified. The preceding German even greater excesses are mentioned but rather equated to what the Russians did rather than characterized for their obscenely unique basis in racist intent. One gets a pretty good understanding of why the current Western border of Poland is the Curzon line, and the history that led to that; that some of the worst (and possibly not the worst) German prisoners were kept in the Soviet Union for 10 years after the war, with many many, kept for at least a few years as laborers for Russia/USSR. The differences between totalitarian leadership comes out far in favor of Stalin, who is described as occasionally listening to his generals, as opposed to Hitler, who dismissed other opinions he didn’t want to hear.
I think the book is probably unnecessary, in its detail, but some would be interested, one supposes. For me there was too much implied moral equivalence between the Nazi crimes and those of the Red Army for it to be tolerable.
I was looking for The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Epic Siege at the Heart of WWII’s Greatest Battle at the library, and the algorithm recommended this book, as a substitute; I hope that the light house is better written; this book gives a smidgeon of history and summarizes a lot, but mostly the fighting of the last year; the Russians were pretty terrible to the German soldiers and civilians as well and some of the excesses are specified. The preceding German even greater excesses are mentioned but rather equated to what the Russians did rather than characterized for their obscenely unique basis in racist intent. One gets a pretty good understanding of why the current Western border of Poland is the Curzon line, and the history that led to that; that some of the worst (and possibly not the worst) German prisoners were kept in the Soviet Union for 10 years after the war, with many many, kept for at least a few years as laborers for Russia/USSR. The differences between totalitarian leadership comes out far in favor of Stalin, who is described as occasionally listening to his generals, as opposed to Hitler, who dismissed other opinions he didn’t want to hear.
I think the book is probably unnecessary, in its detail, but some would be interested, one supposes. For me there was too much implied moral equivalence between the Nazi crimes and those of the Red Army for it to be tolerable.
October 2, 2025
First, I read Dr. Buttar's "On a Knife's Edge", and I didn't quite understand his angle. After I read this, and I read about his background, I totally understand where he's coming from - a physician first, a military historian second, a man deeply rooted in the human experience. It's a really compelling read, a story about the human experience as a world comes to an end. Unfortunately, quite forgettable at times, but has an almost dreamlike quality. Resonates a lot.
September 9, 2017
Una buona cronaca della parte più violenta della più violenta guerra dell'Uomo Bianco. Da tutte le parti in campo sembra esserci una spinta a commettere atrocità.
La lettura è appesantita dai continui e quasi meccanici rimandi ai nomi delle unità militari e degli apparati di partito. A parte questo davvero un saggio solido.
La lettura è appesantita dai continui e quasi meccanici rimandi ai nomi delle unità militari e degli apparati di partito. A parte questo davvero un saggio solido.
August 18, 2020
It is good to read a book which describes the evacuation of East Prussia in January 1945 (Operation Hannibal). This little known operation which saved between 800,000 and 900,000 civilians as well as 350,000 soldiers from the russian advance was a far greater 'truimph' than Dunkirk and should be more widely known of today.
August 3, 2020
Yet another compelling volume from Mr. Buttar
An excellent and well researched account of this often overlooked conflict on the Eastern Front. The description of the ordeals suffered by the civilian population is particularly harrowing.
An excellent and well researched account of this often overlooked conflict on the Eastern Front. The description of the ordeals suffered by the civilian population is particularly harrowing.
September 29, 2024
This is a very well researched book. Its real measure is in how through contemporary witnesses it takes you there, not just on the page, but you feel like you also experienced it.
A vital contribution to an often ignored period of the battles 1944 & 45
A vital contribution to an often ignored period of the battles 1944 & 45
August 25, 2025
Despite several shortcomings (confusing maps, names of various units - not knowing which side is which, etc.), the use of several excerpts from those who lived through this hell makes it worthwhile reading for history enthusiasts.
June 6, 2021
I find the central part of the book was the most interesting comparably to the beginning and closing chapters.
May 6, 2023
Horror has no equal as that caused by war where extirpation is the goal.
May 21, 2023
Mostly from the German side.
July 31, 2025
audio
August 24, 2014
Dit is niet een boek dat je 'zomaar eventjes voor de lol' leest. Daarvoor is het te deprimerend en hier en daar zelfs te gruwelijk. Het is met meer dan 500 pagina's wel een gedegen boek, waarin de schrijver heeft geprobeerd om een samenhangend beeld te schetsen uit dagboeken, ooggetuigenverslagen en andere bronnen. Toch is het voornaamste perspectief dat van Duitse kant. Misschien omdat er door Russen minder over geschreven is (of mocht worden)? Ondanks het wat onevenwichtige beeld kan ik me nu toch een beter beeld vormen van de chaos die ontstond aan het einde van een vreselijke en onzinnige oorlog. Oost Europa zou nooit meer hetzelfde zijn.
August 14, 2013
A very competent narration of the battles associated with the German loss of east Prussia in WWII. I especially enjoyed the extended quotes of soldiers (on both the German and Russian sides) And other participants. But mainly told from the point of view if a Wehrmacht soldier, no first hand accounts or viewpoints of the SS, Nazi party leaders, or various semi-professional participants (except for the clear contempt of the Wehrmacht for amateurs). Needs better maps. Has a very good fast pace for all 450 pages.
June 19, 2011
This is for those, like myself, who are interested in the historical details of WW II. An extremely sobering account of the closing months of the war when the Russians were closing in on the Eastern Front and exacting a terrible toll on any living being in their path.
March 29, 2012
Well written account on the horrific battles in Prussia during the last five months of WW2. The events are combined with first person narratives, which make the book quite effective.
July 12, 2012
A very well researched book, but if you are not familiar with the names of the cities and villages then a little bit hard to understand. Overall, amazing book!! :-)
January 21, 2016
More maps would have been helpful.
June 21, 2014
Good book focusing on this northern part of the eastern front.
May 19, 2016
A very good read for a battle that few in the west know of let alone understand
January 15, 2016
Wonder fun book on the battles in prussia in the closing stages of ww2
Desperate stuff covered in wonderful detail by a talented military writer
Recommended
Desperate stuff covered in wonderful detail by a talented military writer
Recommended
Read
March 9, 2014Another great look at the cause of todays on-going problems in the region.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews