Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles

by Georgi K. Zhukov

Considered by some to be the greatest general of World War II, General Georgi Zhukov served as the Chief of Staff of the Soviet High Command, leading Soviet troops against Germans in key battles of the war. In his account of four major campaigns in the war―the defense of Moscow, Stalingrad, and Kursk, and the advance on Berlin―Zhukov describes his experiences preparing for German attacks, organizing counter-strikes, assessing the enemy, and issuing the orders that pushed the front west, towards Germany's capital. Zhukov also tells of his extensive arguments with Stalin during the war, and the political alliances and rivalries among the U. S. S. R.'s generals throughout the conflict.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Russia, Military Fiction, The World, War

345 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov (Russian: Георгий Константинович Жуков; 1 December 1896 – 18 June 1974), was a Soviet career officer in the Red Army who, in the course of World War II, played a pivotal role in leading the Red Army drive through much of Eastern Europe to liberate the Soviet Union from the occupation of the Axis Powers and to conquer other nations, and ultimately, to conquer the capital of Germany itself, Berlin. He is the most decorated general officer in the history of the Soviet Union and Russia.

Amongst many notable generals in the World War II, G. K. Zhukov was placed at the top in the respect of number and scale of victories and his talent in operational and strategical command was recognized by many people. Many famous military leaders in the world such as Bernard Law Montgomery, Dwight David Eisenhower and Jean de Lattre de Tassigny had already recognized Zhukov's great contributions in many important victories in the Second World War. His combat achievements became valuable heritages in humanity's military knowledge, exerted great influence on both the Soviet and the whole world's military theory.

Reviews

[Nanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pendahuluan dari Harrison E. Salisbury cukup penting untuk dibaca. Zhukov dengan kekhasan caranya, yang massif dalam mengerahkan dan mengorbankan pasukan, merupakan jenderal besar bagi negaranya. Salisbury menyandingkannya dengan Eisenhower. Keduanya terbilang akrab sebagai kolega sesama jenderal. Namun karir Zhukov yang pertama kali mendapatkan nama dari keberhasilannya memenangkan front Timur atas Jepang jauh dari Eisenhower. Lepas dari keberhasilannya dalam Palagan Berlin, Zhukov disingkirkan oleh Stalin. Tak ada tempat bagi pahlawan yang membahayakan kedudukan seorang tiran tunggal macam Stalin. Ketakutan Stalin bahwa Zhukov yang cemerlang dengan karir militernya akan melebarkan sayap pada persoalan politik membuat ia memilih mengasingkan. Sejarah pertempuran yang dimenangkan oleh Zhukow ditulis tanpa menyebut namanya sedikitpun.

Lepas dari Stalin, Zhukov kembali mendapatkan kesempatan untuk mengembalikan posisinya. Saat itu, tahun 1957 kala Khrushchev mendapatkan telikungan politik dari rekan terdekatnya, Zhukov yang mendapat julukan spasitel (penyelamat) Moskow, tampil sebagai penyelamat Khrushchev. Kali ini Zhukov mendapatkan tempat yang lebih terhormat dalam era Khrushchev. Tak lama memang, karena Khrushchev dijangkiti paranoia yang sama dengan Stalin. Kali kedua Zhukov kembali diasingkan. Namun bukan Zhukov bila tak melawan dengan gayanya yang massiv. Ia melawan dengan tulisan memoirnya tentang pertempuran dan perang yang dipimpinnya.

Buku ini adalah memoar Zhukov. Catatan yang dibuat sebagai perlawanan atas pengucilannya. Bab 1 yang bercerita tentang Palagan Moskow mengisahkan bagaimana ia mengkonsolidasi pasukan dalam menahan serbuan Jerman. Zhukov bercerita saat ia mencari markas Front Barat yang letaknya berpindah karena serbuan Jerman. Pencarian dengan menggunakan mobil dan kisahnya atas garis depan guna membuat laporan untuk Stalin tentang kondisi garis depan itu menjadi pembuka.

Selanjutnya....

[Özgür Göksu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very important document for the deep interested readers of WWII... Not boring, not over-detailed, just as it should be.

[Jeff Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst the maxim "history is written by the victors" continues to be proven through the millennia of documented mankind, the history of the Soviet Union cannot be so simply reduced. In a land where those out of favor simply vanished from text and imagery, history was more the study of shifting sands than the examination of bedrock upon which current events rest. This is one of the reasons the reading of Zhukov's (re-)telling of four decisive WWII battles is so fascinating. Context is everything and there is more to his words than a stream of facts and events.

In order to understand this, the editing and footnote commenting of Harrison Salisbury is not only interesting but crucial. With this we can better interpret certain Zhukov assertions and understand the bigger picture of Party machinations and inter-colleague rivalries. Yes, less there be any doubt, even Socialists have egos, petty and grandiose, that need to be stroked and inflated!

Despite this, and above all, these four battles -- Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk and Berlin -- fought by the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany make a terrible tapestry upon which 20th century history is woven. Most of us have no concept of the sacrifices and loss suffered by the people of this now extinct country. Zhukov, in his generally undisputed role of 'greatest Soviet general' does not dwell on the human cost, but it can be readily inferred (and easily Googled!).

This is a book not just for students of military science but for those that also want to understand recent history...as written and then, re-written.

[Tim Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most generals' memoirs, this book is more interested in attributing credit and blame than in explaining grand strategy. Full of names, places and dates, Zhukov's text lacks the overview that would make the battles comprehensible to the layman. Fortunately, the editor fills in the background and provides the maps.

Zhukov was a general of great orthodoxy. He had no new ideas, made no surprise attacks and no clever manoeuvres. His governing principle was to hold the centre and counterattack on the wings when enemy had exhausted himself. In this he made good use of reserves and was a master of timing. Sound and successful strategy but without the spark of genius.

Some generals want to win quickly. Some want to win cheaply. Zhukov wanted a sure victory and to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy. His own casualties were of no concern. Like General Grant, he has been criticised for the human cost of his battles. But what choice was there? If the enemy will neither retreat nor surrender, he must be destroyed.

History is full of brilliant generals (Lee, Napoleon, Hannibal) ultimately ground down by a dogged enemy with greater resources. Zhukov was a crusher, not a fencer. His accomplishment was to beat generals cleverer than himself.

[Philip S · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very dry read, and not for anyone who is not intensively interested in the Russian Front. A lot of unit dispositions and Russian town names that you'd have to be an expert to find meaningful. The most interesting parts are the editor's footnotes, which tend to be somewhat informative about the politics of the general's corps and Zhukovs's dealings with Stalin. The very best parts are Zhukov's comments about Stalin, although you have to wonder how truthful they are.

A lot of reading for little value, in my opinion.

[Mick Maye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book I read as a child and thoroughly enjoyed Zhukov's book. Started me on a lifetime of reading military history.