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Fallen Eagle: The last days of the Third Reich
After more than four years of total war the armies of Europe were exhausted.
The Allies were determined to bring the war in Europe to an end as quickly as possible and with the minimum amount of bloodshed. But the Germans, although they could see the war was lost, were by no means prepared to yield. Indeed, the fighting during 1945 was to be some of the bitterest of the war.
In the East, Stalin’s mighty war machine began a crushing offensive. Beginning in swirling fog and snow, the Soviet steamroller crashed through the German lines on the Vistula, 125 miles south of Warsaw. Soon Russian armoured columns were driving across the Polish plain towards the Oder, Germany’s historic frontier with the East, creating panic in East Prussia.
In the West, Eisenhower and Montgomery joined the race to destroy the heart of Nazi Germany and defend Europe against Stalin’s vaulting ambition. So began one of the most crucial years in the history of the world which was to climax in the desperate battle for Berlin.
Fallen Eagle is the gripping story of the final days of the Third Reich told in graphic detail – the unfolding drama revealed through the eyes of soldier and civilian, private, general and refugee.
Robin Cross has written extensively on many aspects of 20th century military history, including the British home front in World War 2, the Soviet contribution to Allied victory in the war against Hitler and the strategic and tactical roles of the bomber.
The Allies were determined to bring the war in Europe to an end as quickly as possible and with the minimum amount of bloodshed. But the Germans, although they could see the war was lost, were by no means prepared to yield. Indeed, the fighting during 1945 was to be some of the bitterest of the war.
In the East, Stalin’s mighty war machine began a crushing offensive. Beginning in swirling fog and snow, the Soviet steamroller crashed through the German lines on the Vistula, 125 miles south of Warsaw. Soon Russian armoured columns were driving across the Polish plain towards the Oder, Germany’s historic frontier with the East, creating panic in East Prussia.
In the West, Eisenhower and Montgomery joined the race to destroy the heart of Nazi Germany and defend Europe against Stalin’s vaulting ambition. So began one of the most crucial years in the history of the world which was to climax in the desperate battle for Berlin.
Fallen Eagle is the gripping story of the final days of the Third Reich told in graphic detail – the unfolding drama revealed through the eyes of soldier and civilian, private, general and refugee.
Robin Cross has written extensively on many aspects of 20th century military history, including the British home front in World War 2, the Soviet contribution to Allied victory in the war against Hitler and the strategic and tactical roles of the bomber.
353 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2017
A big thank you to Robin Cross, Thistle Publishing, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I debated on my rating. I really wanted to give it a higher star, but the book was just riddled with quotes, to the point that I felt like it was abused. Who was writing this version of history? Some pages were an entire journal's entry. I could go for pages and not come across one that didn't have a significant amount of the text not come from a primary source. This was not how the book is marketed, at least not how I interpreted it. It got to the point where I just skipped over those portions and read the rest of the page. I don't feel like I missed out on anything by doing that because the majority of the information included in those passages is superfluous and should have been integrated into the storytelling if the author had taken a little more time in drafting.
Yes, this book was informative, especially about the Russian front. But I just can't let the composition slide.
I debated on my rating. I really wanted to give it a higher star, but the book was just riddled with quotes, to the point that I felt like it was abused. Who was writing this version of history? Some pages were an entire journal's entry. I could go for pages and not come across one that didn't have a significant amount of the text not come from a primary source. This was not how the book is marketed, at least not how I interpreted it. It got to the point where I just skipped over those portions and read the rest of the page. I don't feel like I missed out on anything by doing that because the majority of the information included in those passages is superfluous and should have been integrated into the storytelling if the author had taken a little more time in drafting.
Yes, this book was informative, especially about the Russian front. But I just can't let the composition slide.
October 3, 2017
First of all I have to thank Thistle publishing and Net Galley for giving me a copy to read and review this superb book written by Robin Cross.
The book has an exhaustive account about the last days of the Third Reich. From the reading we can understand how much the author has took pain in collecting the relevant information of the Second World War, the heroes & zeros of the war, types of war machines used and in depth detail to the Corps level.
The author's description about Hitlers status is riveting "In the summer of 1942, Hitler had sat at the centre of a vast communications web stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Caucasus. Now his links with the outside world had dwindled to a switchboard of the size required to run a modest hotel, one radio transmitter, and one radiotelephone link with the OKW headquarters at Zossen, fifteen miles south of Berlin".
The author has cleverly placed journal entries, letters and documents, which gives an authenticated look but sometimes they might turn a bit odd and feels us to skip. I like to quote one account given by Janina Bauman, who had escaped from the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943 and was living on a farm when a German soldier was hiding in her farm.
…. Just before dusk I went out to fetch some wood. In the semi-dark shed, crammed with logs and tools, something stirred. I sensed a human presence. I pushed the door wide open to let more light. Only then did I notice a flap of field-grey military coat sticking out from the between two logs. Calmly, I locked the shed and ran back to the cottage. In the kitchen, Mrs.Pietrzyk, tired and worn after the restless night, was busy cooking. Gasping for breath, I told her what I had seen. But she was not surprised. She already knew. Staring full in my face with her ancient, all knowing eyes, she said, as if quoting from a holy book, 'Whoever comes under my roof seeking shelter, no matter who he is, no matter what he believe in, he will be safe with me'. In a flash I understood. Shocked, I watched her fill a tin bowl with hot dumplings and pour pork fat over it. 'Hold it child', she screeched in her usual way. "Take it to him'. As if mesmerized, I blindly obeyed and went back to the shed. It seemed as deserted as before, even the field-grey flap had disappeared. I stood benumbed, the hot dish burning my fingers and filling the air with a strong smell of food. There was a brief commotion behind the pile of logs and unkempt head suddenly popped out. I saw the pale face of the German, a boy rather than a man, staring at me in terror. He grabbed the steaming bowl from my hands and fell on the food with unspeakable greed. He was still trembling from hunger and fear. For a long while I watched him blankly. I felt no pity, no hatred, no joy.
A soul stirring account of the bombing of 7th largest city in Germany, Dresden, was provided in the book. The author has mentions the people behind the operation and ends that chapter with quotes from cemetery Heidefriedhof in Dresden:
"How many died? Who knows the count?; In your wounds one sees the ordeal; Of the nameless who in here were conflagrated; In the hellfire made by hands of man".
The book ends at 88% and the remaining 12% is about Appendix 1 Key Items of Weaponry, Appendix 2 Notes on Personalities (which is more important as some might find difficultly in finding who the person the author mentions about) and select Bibliography.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, with 500 pages this book is must for World War II enthusiasts.
More about this book in http://www.chromaring.com/2017/10/fal...
The book has an exhaustive account about the last days of the Third Reich. From the reading we can understand how much the author has took pain in collecting the relevant information of the Second World War, the heroes & zeros of the war, types of war machines used and in depth detail to the Corps level.
The author's description about Hitlers status is riveting "In the summer of 1942, Hitler had sat at the centre of a vast communications web stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Caucasus. Now his links with the outside world had dwindled to a switchboard of the size required to run a modest hotel, one radio transmitter, and one radiotelephone link with the OKW headquarters at Zossen, fifteen miles south of Berlin".
The author has cleverly placed journal entries, letters and documents, which gives an authenticated look but sometimes they might turn a bit odd and feels us to skip. I like to quote one account given by Janina Bauman, who had escaped from the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943 and was living on a farm when a German soldier was hiding in her farm.
…. Just before dusk I went out to fetch some wood. In the semi-dark shed, crammed with logs and tools, something stirred. I sensed a human presence. I pushed the door wide open to let more light. Only then did I notice a flap of field-grey military coat sticking out from the between two logs. Calmly, I locked the shed and ran back to the cottage. In the kitchen, Mrs.Pietrzyk, tired and worn after the restless night, was busy cooking. Gasping for breath, I told her what I had seen. But she was not surprised. She already knew. Staring full in my face with her ancient, all knowing eyes, she said, as if quoting from a holy book, 'Whoever comes under my roof seeking shelter, no matter who he is, no matter what he believe in, he will be safe with me'. In a flash I understood. Shocked, I watched her fill a tin bowl with hot dumplings and pour pork fat over it. 'Hold it child', she screeched in her usual way. "Take it to him'. As if mesmerized, I blindly obeyed and went back to the shed. It seemed as deserted as before, even the field-grey flap had disappeared. I stood benumbed, the hot dish burning my fingers and filling the air with a strong smell of food. There was a brief commotion behind the pile of logs and unkempt head suddenly popped out. I saw the pale face of the German, a boy rather than a man, staring at me in terror. He grabbed the steaming bowl from my hands and fell on the food with unspeakable greed. He was still trembling from hunger and fear. For a long while I watched him blankly. I felt no pity, no hatred, no joy.
A soul stirring account of the bombing of 7th largest city in Germany, Dresden, was provided in the book. The author has mentions the people behind the operation and ends that chapter with quotes from cemetery Heidefriedhof in Dresden:
"How many died? Who knows the count?; In your wounds one sees the ordeal; Of the nameless who in here were conflagrated; In the hellfire made by hands of man".
The book ends at 88% and the remaining 12% is about Appendix 1 Key Items of Weaponry, Appendix 2 Notes on Personalities (which is more important as some might find difficultly in finding who the person the author mentions about) and select Bibliography.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, with 500 pages this book is must for World War II enthusiasts.
More about this book in http://www.chromaring.com/2017/10/fal...
November 29, 2025
Čo sa týka formy , kniha nemá možno kvality súčasných absyntoviek alebo novších kníh na túto tému, je to ale celkom slušné zhrnutie posledných mesiacov z (takmer) všetkých strán obkľúčeného Nemecka v druhej svetovej vojne, kapitoly alternujú medzi postupom spojencov zo západu a východu. Text oživujú výpovede civilistov, vojakov,a denníky diplomatických dôstojníkov.
September 3, 2024
Fallen Eagle by Robin Cross chronicles the last few days of Hitler's regime and the final downfall of the SS and the Nazi party.
What was interesting about this book was that it had a lot of the Soviet perspective, which was refreshing and different from a more-oft read American/British point of view. But for me, that was all it had to offer.
It was a very technical read. For example, often, it had breakdowns of the kinds of tanks, the number of guns and tons of coal available with each army, etc. Information like this may be interesting to some, but it wasn't to me. Furthermore, as opposed to adding a narrative or paraphrasing, Cross verbatim quoted his references and I struggled to get through so many lengthy quotes. I found the entire book arduous to read.
While I love history in general and am always drawn to WWII books, this one is geared more for die-hard enthusiasts or researchers, and not for casual readers.
What was interesting about this book was that it had a lot of the Soviet perspective, which was refreshing and different from a more-oft read American/British point of view. But for me, that was all it had to offer.
It was a very technical read. For example, often, it had breakdowns of the kinds of tanks, the number of guns and tons of coal available with each army, etc. Information like this may be interesting to some, but it wasn't to me. Furthermore, as opposed to adding a narrative or paraphrasing, Cross verbatim quoted his references and I struggled to get through so many lengthy quotes. I found the entire book arduous to read.
While I love history in general and am always drawn to WWII books, this one is geared more for die-hard enthusiasts or researchers, and not for casual readers.
September 13, 2021
Two stories
This is both an analysis of the politics of defeat and surrender in the last days of the 3rd Reich as well as a detailed military history. The two aren’t easily dealt with in one volume and those with an interest in the politics may find the military history distracting and vice versa. As is all too often the case the maps are inadequate and add to the confusion. Politically it’s better than many histories of the Last Days in so far as it doesn’t harp on about how dreadfully the Russians behaved working seamlessly into a Cold War. Some issues are glossed over such as Alan Dulles’ negotiation of a surrender in N Italy that broke the ‘unconditional surrender’ agreement among the Allies; the Spooks in the US were already taking over.
,
This is both an analysis of the politics of defeat and surrender in the last days of the 3rd Reich as well as a detailed military history. The two aren’t easily dealt with in one volume and those with an interest in the politics may find the military history distracting and vice versa. As is all too often the case the maps are inadequate and add to the confusion. Politically it’s better than many histories of the Last Days in so far as it doesn’t harp on about how dreadfully the Russians behaved working seamlessly into a Cold War. Some issues are glossed over such as Alan Dulles’ negotiation of a surrender in N Italy that broke the ‘unconditional surrender’ agreement among the Allies; the Spooks in the US were already taking over.
,
October 19, 2025
Vyčerpávajúca kniha o poslednom období WW2 v Európe. (Mi bola odporúčaná po Remarquovi).
Veľa technických informácií o jednotlivých armádach a ich konkrétnom postupe, čo poteší inžinierskych fanúšikov; mňa skôr bavili úryvky z denníkov a kníh civilistov, vojakov aj generálov.
"Baviť" je vlastne dosť nepatričné slovo k ich obsahu, ale dodalo to knihe pocit reálnosti (nech už bola akokoľvek katastrofálna).
- moja verzia knihy bola po slovensky z 2003, ale na GR sa už nedajú pridávať nové knihy, takže smola.
Veľa technických informácií o jednotlivých armádach a ich konkrétnom postupe, čo poteší inžinierskych fanúšikov; mňa skôr bavili úryvky z denníkov a kníh civilistov, vojakov aj generálov.
"Baviť" je vlastne dosť nepatričné slovo k ich obsahu, ale dodalo to knihe pocit reálnosti (nech už bola akokoľvek katastrofálna).
- moja verzia knihy bola po slovensky z 2003, ale na GR sa už nedajú pridávať nové knihy, takže smola.
August 12, 2023
Comprehensive account
This is a very detailed account of the final period of WW2 in Europe. Statistics abound, as well as personal vignettes from those there. Horrifying but informative.
This is a very detailed account of the final period of WW2 in Europe. Statistics abound, as well as personal vignettes from those there. Horrifying but informative.
November 30, 2021
Because this is a nonfiction book, I didn't really learn anything new since I've already read a lot of books from this genre. However what I like about this book is that it goes into deeper detail about smaller areas of the war, and even provides quotes and backstory about each event. Along with this, it also has some maps and photos to help the reader visualize what's going on, or to understand it better. One of the coolest things that I learned was that Stalin threw a party at the beginning of 1945 because they were able to stop the Wehrmacht only 75 miles from their capital.
But in total, Fallen Eagle by Robin Cross was a well written book. I really enjoyed this book because it cites all of its information from reliable sources and has many other resources such as additional maps and photos printed along with the book. Another thing I like is that it goes into detail about the tanks and planes used in the war. The book does get tedious at times, but overall, it's a real page turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes World War II history.
But in total, Fallen Eagle by Robin Cross was a well written book. I really enjoyed this book because it cites all of its information from reliable sources and has many other resources such as additional maps and photos printed along with the book. Another thing I like is that it goes into detail about the tanks and planes used in the war. The book does get tedious at times, but overall, it's a real page turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes World War II history.
June 17, 2013
this was mostly a re-read as I've bought and read this book years ago, but I just stumbled on it when going through all my books again to decide what stays and what goes for the upcoming move
while quite a dark read - which kind of is obvious from the title - the book offers a very detailed account of the end of so called Thousand Year Reich; documents - both official and personal - are used throughout to ground the text, but overall it is a very compelling and quite fast read which keeps one turning the pages
contrasting with the descriptions of the early stages of the war (Nazi triumphs and reasonable behavior at least for a while as per "the laws of war" in the West contrasted with extreme barbarism in the East) and the post war "German miracle" all happening lightning fast as historical times go, the period of the brutal end of the Reich is still one of the most important historical lessons of our times
while quite a dark read - which kind of is obvious from the title - the book offers a very detailed account of the end of so called Thousand Year Reich; documents - both official and personal - are used throughout to ground the text, but overall it is a very compelling and quite fast read which keeps one turning the pages
contrasting with the descriptions of the early stages of the war (Nazi triumphs and reasonable behavior at least for a while as per "the laws of war" in the West contrasted with extreme barbarism in the East) and the post war "German miracle" all happening lightning fast as historical times go, the period of the brutal end of the Reich is still one of the most important historical lessons of our times
November 5, 2010
I just wrote a very long and detailed review but lost it so this will be brief.
This book is great but depressing.
The historian Robin Cross uses diary entries, cables, letters, documents etc to show the extent of the chaos and confusion that marked Germany in the waning days of WWII.
With advancing armies to the west and east, the country was a mess and a desperate military conscripted 16 year old boys and 60 year old men to fight, even when they lacked weapons, uniforms and training.
He describes one boy marching off to fight with a battalion of other youth carrying his book bag over his shoulder, filled with snacks instead of books.
The last portion goes over Hitler's suicide and the end of his inner circle.
This book is great but depressing.
The historian Robin Cross uses diary entries, cables, letters, documents etc to show the extent of the chaos and confusion that marked Germany in the waning days of WWII.
With advancing armies to the west and east, the country was a mess and a desperate military conscripted 16 year old boys and 60 year old men to fight, even when they lacked weapons, uniforms and training.
He describes one boy marching off to fight with a battalion of other youth carrying his book bag over his shoulder, filled with snacks instead of books.
The last portion goes over Hitler's suicide and the end of his inner circle.
November 28, 2015
Velmi poutavé čtení prolínající fakta s osobními výpověďmi účastníků. Škoda jen, že text trpí občasnou nekonzistencí.
May 3, 2017
A veces uno se pierde entre tanta batalla pero es imposible dejar de leerlo.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews