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World War Two: Beyond the Myths
The Last Attack: Sixth SS Panzer Army and the defense of Hungary and Austria 1945
Why did Hitler choose Vienna over Berlin? An introductory essay of a lesser known chapter of World War Two. Following defeat in the Ardennes Offensive, Adolf Hitler and the German leadership faced the question of how best to use what little offensive firepower remained to them, as represented by the Sixth SS Panzer Army. Hitler’s obsession with protecting the last source of natural oil available to the Reich compelled this decision, one made against the strong opposition of his military advisers. The resulting offensive, code-named Operation Spring Awakening, was a disaster for Nazi Germany, but a boon for postwar Europe. Heavily outnumbered and lacking supplies, especially fuel, the Sixth SS Panzer Army nevertheless delayed the Red Army long enough for American and British forces to occupy much of western and southern Austria. There is, therefore, a strong likelihood the presence in Austria of Sixth SS Panzer Army saved that country from being overrun completely by the Red Army, and possibly being included in the Warsaw Pact as a Soviet satellite. Those already familiar with the topic may not also be aware of the latest research, mostly notably by Webb himself. Impeccably footnoted for peer review, the author hopes this will wet the reader's appetite for more detailed histories on the subject.
- GenresWorld War II
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2016
162 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
William Alan Webb
133 books106 followersWinner of the 2024 Imadjinn Award!
Winner of the 2021 Imadjinn Award!
Finalist for a second 2021 Imadjinn Award!
Winner of the 2020 Darrell Award!
Finalist for a second 2020 Darrell Award!
Winner of the 2019 Imadjinn Award!
Winner of the 2018 Darrell Award!
A Southern boy through and through, Bill spent his entire life learning how to tell stories. It's all Bill ever wanted to do, to inspire and entertain people the way his favorite authors did for him.
Over the years he has developed a unique writing style, or 'Voice', of which he is very proud, with the objective of trying to always entertain his readers.
After graduating from the University of Memphis with dual concentrations in History and Creative Writing, Bill has been published in such diverse magazines as Tied in a Bow (for Wedding planning) and World War II. His books include both non-fiction and fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 10, 2019
Fascinating read
Well written story of the Panzer attack that the author contends may have kept the USSR from overrunning and keeping Austria. A disaster for the units involved, and a stupid thing to do on Hitlers part, it turned out well for the West.
Well written story of the Panzer attack that the author contends may have kept the USSR from overrunning and keeping Austria. A disaster for the units involved, and a stupid thing to do on Hitlers part, it turned out well for the West.
May 23, 2019
Good Very Short Book
This book fills in a lot of the Holes in what Happened in Army Group South's Operating Area after the fall of Budapest and the retreat to Austria.
This book fills in a lot of the Holes in what Happened in Army Group South's Operating Area after the fall of Budapest and the retreat to Austria.
June 24, 2019
Excellent references
The book clearly lays out historical facts, to the best of their ability. An excellent but short read. Great free on Amazon Prime.
The book clearly lays out historical facts, to the best of their ability. An excellent but short read. Great free on Amazon Prime.
July 17, 2019
Interesting story of how decisions at the close of WWII affected the future geopolitical balance
I bought this book directly from Bill at LibertyCon. I found it fascinating. It reads like a term paper, but one that you WANT to read. It is well researched, properly cited, and contains a wealth of pointers to further information for scholars.
For casual history buffs such as myself, the story itself is intriguing and worth the time to read. Bill has pulled from many different sources to give a comprehensive overview of Hitler’s decision to send the sixth SS Panzer Army on a quixotic effort to save the oil resources in Hungary and Austria, and explains how this decision almost certainly saved Austria from becoming a Russian Satellite State after the war.
It is a quick and easy read, but very much worth your time both as a story and as a reference for further study!
I bought this book directly from Bill at LibertyCon. I found it fascinating. It reads like a term paper, but one that you WANT to read. It is well researched, properly cited, and contains a wealth of pointers to further information for scholars.
For casual history buffs such as myself, the story itself is intriguing and worth the time to read. Bill has pulled from many different sources to give a comprehensive overview of Hitler’s decision to send the sixth SS Panzer Army on a quixotic effort to save the oil resources in Hungary and Austria, and explains how this decision almost certainly saved Austria from becoming a Russian Satellite State after the war.
It is a quick and easy read, but very much worth your time both as a story and as a reference for further study!
October 13, 2018
A short pamphlet without a story
This tiny story tells about the movement of a small force to Hungary at the end of the war. This movement was based on one of Hitler's orders. It could have been discussed fully in a high school history report. It is not worthy of a book at any price. Save your money.
This tiny story tells about the movement of a small force to Hungary at the end of the war. This movement was based on one of Hitler's orders. It could have been discussed fully in a high school history report. It is not worthy of a book at any price. Save your money.
April 26, 2024
A rather short book, called an essay by the author. A quick overview of the last days of WWII on the Eastern Front around Hungary and Austria. This book could serve as a quick opener to anyone interested in these battles before moving on to more in-depth books on the subject.
June 18, 2021
It’s an interesting topic for the end of the Third Reich that’s not the “usual”
Battle of the Bulge/Wacht am Rhein or the Fall of Berlin. Would have liked it to be longer.
Battle of the Bulge/Wacht am Rhein or the Fall of Berlin. Would have liked it to be longer.
August 7, 2018
Such incompetence
The more I read on actual factual history, it's amazing how the Germans ever lasted as long as they did. Unreliable minimal equipment, loss of aerial supremacy, and bickering leadership all made it a wonder they had some of successes that they did.
The more I read on actual factual history, it's amazing how the Germans ever lasted as long as they did. Unreliable minimal equipment, loss of aerial supremacy, and bickering leadership all made it a wonder they had some of successes that they did.
April 16, 2017
Fascinating
It brought several things to mind, the staunch believe in the German culture, the fanatic mind set of Hitler, and the will of people facing defeat and death
It brought several things to mind, the staunch believe in the German culture, the fanatic mind set of Hitler, and the will of people facing defeat and death
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews