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Hell's Gate: The Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket January to February 1944
Virtually unknown in the English-speaking world, the Battle of Cherkassy (also known as the Korsun Pocket) still stirs controversy in both the former Soviet Union and in Germany. It was at Cherkassy where the last German offensive strength in the Ukraine was drained away. Hell's Gate is a riveting hour by hour and day by day account of this desperate struggle analyzed on a tactical level through maps and military transcripts, as well as on a personal level, through the words of the enlisted men and officers were there.
417 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2002
5 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Douglas E. Nash
11 books17 followersDoug Nash is a West Point Class of 1980 graduate and a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 32 years of active duty service in places like Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Cuba, and Uzbekistan. He served in a variety of Army units, such as armored cavalry, armor, and special operations forces, including Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations. He is currently employed by the U.S. Navy working for Marine Corps University's History Division in Quantico, Virgnia. His works include "Hell's Gate: The Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket January to February 1944" and "Victory Was Beyond Their Grasp: with the 272nd Volks-Grenadier Division from the Huertgen Forest to the Heart of the Reich (which was nominated for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction)," as well as several articles for military history magazines, such as World War Two, Army History, and Armchair General. Along with Remy Spezzano, he is currently working on a book about the German relief of Kovel, March 1944. In addition, have edited works such as George Nipe's "Blood, Steel and Myth: The Battle of Prokorovka and the IInd SS Panzer Korps" and "Kampfraum Arnhem." When not writing, he enjoys Civil War Re-enacting and serving as a sailing crew member of the Deck Department of the restored WWII Liberty Ship, the S.S. John W. Brown, docked in Baltimore, MD.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 22, 2024
This was outstanding. The book was a large-size(9.25 x 11.75) book filled detailed information and pictures on the Cherkassy Pocket. The account of the battle itself was an overcoming-the-odds and story of courage as the Germans battled the Russians.
Overall this was superb in my opinion and top-notch. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates learning about World War II. Thanks!
Overall this was superb in my opinion and top-notch. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates learning about World War II. Thanks!
March 19, 2018
It's January 24th 1944, the morning skies are clear and cold. With a 14-1 artillery advantage, the Russian barrage is about to start. Open the cover of this book like a gate to hell and the story spreads out before you like the steppes of Russia.
"Hell's Gate" is an over-sized book, so many of the photos, as well as the maps, are delightfully large. Author Nash, a West Point graduate, is a detail oriented writer, so you have to pay your dues as you approach the action. There is a short bio on all 143 commanders, (ok a bit of an exaggeration,
but at times it seems like it). The disposition of each unit involved is also provided. At times there are paragraphs that are a glut of the roman numerals of unit numbers. While this can be a bit of dry reading at times, it shows how thorough Nash has prepared to tell this story.
The German salient into Russian lines, which is to become known as the Cherkassy pocket, is ripe for a Russian attack. It's frustrating to read how each German officer knows the risk, but no one can convince Hitler of the danger.
The Fuhrer fantasizes that the salient can be used to launch an attack with his bedraggled forces. Oddly the Russian do also. Von Manstein has slobberknockered them one too many times, so they are wary.
Nash tells a great story of how the pocket is formed by the successful Russian envelopment, how the Germans rally, persevere, and mount a rescue.
In addition to the movements of battle, there is an interesting evaluation of the intelligence operations of both sides. One tends to think of the Russians as a rolling mass of tanks and men, but they deployed thousands of mannequins, fake tanks and positions to decoy the Germans.
The battles of the Cherkassy pocket remind and impress me of the courage and what must be a certain resignation to ones fate, by both sides. No matter how well they fight, the German
units are ground down by the continual attacks and the first wave (and second and third) Russians. Meanwhile, many a Russian frontnovik is sent to certain doom.
The analysis of the Russian attempts to get the Germans to surrender is intriguing, as well as the propaganda from both sides during and after the battle.
There are plenty of personal stories, more from the German side than the Russian, all lend to the state of urgency and the weather conditions of the fight.
Nash also provides an epilogue with stories of how surviving participants continued their lives after the battle and if they survived, once the war was over. Final chapters also look at the battlefield today as well as a detailed Order of Battle.
The rescuing forces expend every last ounce of their manpower and resources fighting in a sea of mud in their attempt to reach their fellows in the pocket. Finally, after a month of entrapment a decision is reached without notifying Hitler, a breakout attemptmust be made. The tension rises as you feel a chill, in a frozen snow storm, the wind blowing into the enemies eyes, the attack time 23:00 hours draws close, you check your kit, no sound or cigarettes are allowed, the initial attack will be by bayonet only. A Russian Army waits between you and safety. If you make it, the password is Freedom! Will you get to use it?
"Hell's Gate" is an over-sized book, so many of the photos, as well as the maps, are delightfully large. Author Nash, a West Point graduate, is a detail oriented writer, so you have to pay your dues as you approach the action. There is a short bio on all 143 commanders, (ok a bit of an exaggeration,
but at times it seems like it). The disposition of each unit involved is also provided. At times there are paragraphs that are a glut of the roman numerals of unit numbers. While this can be a bit of dry reading at times, it shows how thorough Nash has prepared to tell this story.
The German salient into Russian lines, which is to become known as the Cherkassy pocket, is ripe for a Russian attack. It's frustrating to read how each German officer knows the risk, but no one can convince Hitler of the danger.
The Fuhrer fantasizes that the salient can be used to launch an attack with his bedraggled forces. Oddly the Russian do also. Von Manstein has slobberknockered them one too many times, so they are wary.
Nash tells a great story of how the pocket is formed by the successful Russian envelopment, how the Germans rally, persevere, and mount a rescue.
In addition to the movements of battle, there is an interesting evaluation of the intelligence operations of both sides. One tends to think of the Russians as a rolling mass of tanks and men, but they deployed thousands of mannequins, fake tanks and positions to decoy the Germans.
The battles of the Cherkassy pocket remind and impress me of the courage and what must be a certain resignation to ones fate, by both sides. No matter how well they fight, the German
units are ground down by the continual attacks and the first wave (and second and third) Russians. Meanwhile, many a Russian frontnovik is sent to certain doom.
The analysis of the Russian attempts to get the Germans to surrender is intriguing, as well as the propaganda from both sides during and after the battle.
There are plenty of personal stories, more from the German side than the Russian, all lend to the state of urgency and the weather conditions of the fight.
Nash also provides an epilogue with stories of how surviving participants continued their lives after the battle and if they survived, once the war was over. Final chapters also look at the battlefield today as well as a detailed Order of Battle.
The rescuing forces expend every last ounce of their manpower and resources fighting in a sea of mud in their attempt to reach their fellows in the pocket. Finally, after a month of entrapment a decision is reached without notifying Hitler, a breakout attemptmust be made. The tension rises as you feel a chill, in a frozen snow storm, the wind blowing into the enemies eyes, the attack time 23:00 hours draws close, you check your kit, no sound or cigarettes are allowed, the initial attack will be by bayonet only. A Russian Army waits between you and safety. If you make it, the password is Freedom! Will you get to use it?
January 24, 2015
Nash has taken the dramatic events surrounding the Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket and written a book that combines immaculate historical reconstruction with great storytelling. Hell's Gate deserves to be on every WW2 history buff's bookshelf. Well illustrated with 273 b&w photos and 14 maps.
September 16, 2017
A must read for any student of the Eastern Front. I felt it could use a few more maps, but absolutely recommended.
September 18, 2024
An excellent account of the battle of the Cherkassy pocket. This well researched book provides a detailed compelling tale of men-at-arms on eastern front. Fortunately for the author, all of the official German documents of the battle were captured by the west and delivered to the US national archives. Combine that with timely opening of the Soviet's WWII archives to the western historians, and followed up with his interviews and personal papers of German and Soviet veterans of the battle all the major pieces came together to tell this tale.
Beginning on an operational level, Col Nash hits all the marks illustrating the day-to-day battlelines, units, leaders, strategy and tactics that occurred between January 23 and February 19, 1944. What I found especially enlightening was his keen appreciation and descriptions of the impact the weather had on the troops of both sides. From an early spring thaw turning the ground to a sea of mud; rising temperatures that caused German soldiers to disregard their winter uniforms; bitter cold snaps and deep accumulations of snow that caused vehicles stuck in mud to freeze in place; to early flooding creating swift rivers out of small creeks.
Other notable insights for me were the premier of the Soviet heavy tank JS II; the heroic and successful resupply and medical evacuation efforts of the Luftwaffe; a fascinating chapter dedicated to the important role of the teletype; Soviet psyops effects; a switch in narrative in the later chapters from an operational level description to an individual level that told in chilling details the hardships, dangers, heroics, and apathy of the battles climax; and details of the after-action conference held by the German divisional commanders following the battle (Something usually left only to the prerogative of the author).
This book is broken into 7 sections. It contains a plentiful amount of maps and photographs as well as a wide ample bibliography.
Beginning on an operational level, Col Nash hits all the marks illustrating the day-to-day battlelines, units, leaders, strategy and tactics that occurred between January 23 and February 19, 1944. What I found especially enlightening was his keen appreciation and descriptions of the impact the weather had on the troops of both sides. From an early spring thaw turning the ground to a sea of mud; rising temperatures that caused German soldiers to disregard their winter uniforms; bitter cold snaps and deep accumulations of snow that caused vehicles stuck in mud to freeze in place; to early flooding creating swift rivers out of small creeks.
Other notable insights for me were the premier of the Soviet heavy tank JS II; the heroic and successful resupply and medical evacuation efforts of the Luftwaffe; a fascinating chapter dedicated to the important role of the teletype; Soviet psyops effects; a switch in narrative in the later chapters from an operational level description to an individual level that told in chilling details the hardships, dangers, heroics, and apathy of the battles climax; and details of the after-action conference held by the German divisional commanders following the battle (Something usually left only to the prerogative of the author).
This book is broken into 7 sections. It contains a plentiful amount of maps and photographs as well as a wide ample bibliography.
January 19, 2019
a battle on the Eastern Front that I had not heard about. Very detailed.
October 20, 2021
Tough one to rate. Nice coverage of an interesting battle that was clearly a labor of love by the author, but it has some pacing issues and frequently goes into more detail than is appropriate for the story it's trying to tell (which is highlighted by having one of the worst ratios of places mentioned in the text to places shown on the maps I've encountered). Also would have loved to get more insight into the Soviet side of things, but that's a common shortcoming.
All that said, the concluding chapters on the final breakout are fantastic and I'd recommend it overall.
All that said, the concluding chapters on the final breakout are fantastic and I'd recommend it overall.
June 25, 2018
Virtually unknown in the English-speaking world, the Battle of Cherkassy still stirs controversy in both the former Soviet Union and in Germany. It was at Cherkassy where the last German offensive strength in the Ukraine was drained away. Hell's Gate is a riveting hour by hour and day by day account of this desperate struggle analyzed on a tactical level through maps and military transcripts, as well as on a personal level, through the words of the enlisted men and officers were there.
August 28, 2012
A detailed look at the battle of the Cherkassy Pocket in early 1944. Told largely from the German perspective, it covers the Soviet encirclement, the German relief efforts, the Soviet attempts to reduce the pocket, and the eventual breakout of the German survivors.
Well worth reading for anyone interested in a detailed look at the battle.
I do have one nitpick. The copy-editing could have been better. There are a lot of minor errors throughout the text, but nothing that seriously hampers the readability of the book.
Well worth reading for anyone interested in a detailed look at the battle.
I do have one nitpick. The copy-editing could have been better. There are a lot of minor errors throughout the text, but nothing that seriously hampers the readability of the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews