THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

This thread is open for members who wish to read and discuss any book or books covering the Eastern Front of WW2, from 1939 to 1945, land, air or sea.

For those folks who are going to join in this months theme read on any book or books covering the Eastern Front the thread is now open for comments and discussion.

I am still overseas so won't be able to grab my Russian Front book till next week but I will join in as soon as possible once I get home. I am looking forward to seeing which books members decide to read and to joining in the discussions during the month, enjoy.

i'll read one, just need to decide which one,,, o_O
Currently reading "Helmet for my pillow"

Ok Sumit, you've got all month :)

Okay so this is my choice for the Eastern Front. This book is full of excerpts from Memoirs that were written by Officers of the Navy, Air Force, but primarily the Soviet Army that were written after the death of Stalin. These Memoirs share one commonality with that of the Germans. They sure like to point fingers. Either it is Stalin's fault that things went wrong or some other officers. Usually someone that was unable to say much in contradiction. So far one of the most interesting aspects of the book was the opening section which dealt with the purges. Very interesting in showing the affect it had on the officers that were not caught up in it directly.

Sounds like it will be an interesting book Dj, where did you find this title? Keep us posted on interesting bits of information you come across as I'm sure a few members will be keen to hear from you.

(no cover) Stalin And His Generals: Soviet Military Memoirs Of World War Ii by Seweryn Bialer

Does sound like a good one DJ.

A couple yrs ago I carefully shopped for a good deal
on 'Hells Gate', then I didn't read it. Not my usual
method. Letting the anticipation build I guess.
So now is the time.

I read his other book '272nd Volksgrenadier' and liked the effort
he puts into the research.

Although an interesting subject I have to abstain from participating as I'm hopelessly behind 'schedule' already with 'Roosevelt's centurions . . ' and 'An army at dawn . . ' in the tube. (Guess it's a problem of luxury, n'est-ce pas? :-)

But if I should choose one it would be Guido Knopp "Die Grosse Flucht: Das Schicksal Der Vertriebenen" ('The great escape: The fate of the expelled' freely translated. It's available in a Danish translation, not sure if it's available in English?)

It tells the story of the terrible ordeals the German refugees went through when fleeing before the advancing Russian troops. Or when trapped behind Russian lines. And the accounts are truly appalling and utterly beyond me.

carl wrote: "Does sound like a good one DJ.

A couple yrs ago I carefully shopped for a good deal
on 'Hells Gate', then I didn't read it. Not my usual
method. Letting the anticipation build I guess.
So now is..."
Hi Carl
Let us know what you think about ...
Hell's Gate: The Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket January to February 1944

Jesper wrote: "Although an interesting subject I have to abstain from participating as I'm hopelessly behind 'schedule' already with 'Roosevelt's centurions . . ' and 'An army at dawn . . ' in the tube. (Guess it..."

Jesper I'm like you as I have D.R. Thorpe's very interesting biography on Sir Anthony Eden (Lord Avon) on the go and I'm just about to receive from my library The War Years: To the Eve of Jutland 1914-1916 by Arthur J. Marder

Some excellent books being mentioned so far, it should be an interesting theme read. You have all month Geevee & Jesper but I do understand the pressures of time and place :)

Rick as a sideline to the theme read here have you read any of Marder's books on WWI?

Hi Geevee, I have seen that volumes 1 & 2 are to be re-released, I have been checking them out but not committed, are they good reads?

I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" , which is a great read. But I'm still a big fan of the volumes . His three books in the series are brilliant as they cover in detail the mistakes of both side. For a non-fiction work, it read like a well crafted novel.

Jeff wrote: "I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" , which is a great read. But I'm still a big fan of the volumes [bookcover:Stalingrad to Berlin: The German Defeat in the..."

I've not read Ratenkrieg Jeff so thanks for the post and I've added to my TBR.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Geevee, I have seen that volumes 1 & 2 are to be re-released, I have been checking them out but not committed, are they good reads?"

Not read them yet Rick, and Vol II is the only copy I can get at present so will let you know once it arrives.

Geevee wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" , which is a great read. But I'm still a big fan of the volumes [bookcover:Stalingrad to Berlin: The German ..."
Excellent read Geevee. If you've seen the Italian movie, "Stalingrad," this book could have been the script. Fast paced and exciting.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Sounds like it will be an interesting book Dj, where did you find this title? Keep us posted on interesting bits of information you come across as I'm sure a few members will be keen to hear from y..."

I found this at Robert's Books at the Beach in Lincoln City, Oregon. It was a seriously nice find. I am always surprised at the books that I find there. In a State that is overrunning with used book stores this is one of the best.

Maybe I need to visit there one day Dj!

:)

Any time, I would be more than happy to show you around. Although there is more to see than just book stores. LOL> Even if one of the book stores in question takes up a whole city block and is four stories.

That sounds like my type of book shop!

Geevee wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" ,..."

GeeVee - all three of Robbin's novels on the Eastern Front are worth the read, In fact all five of his novels on WW II are worth the time to read.


- Stalingrad
- Kursk
- Race for and Fall of Berlin
Non eastern front WW II novels
- Japanese occupation of the Philipines/Los Banos Raid
- Redball Express and American deserters/black marketeers in Paris

happy wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" , which is a great read. But I'm still a big fan of the volumes [bookcover:Stalingrad to Berl..."

I agree Happy.

Just started reading Eastern Inferno. Reviews are all good. Haven't gotten into it enough to form an opinion yet, but looking forward to the read.

Hi Cindy, sounds great, I have a copy that I have not read yet so I will be keen to hear our thoughts on the book.

by Christine Alexander

When I get home I will pick up my copy of "Besieged: The Epic Battle for Cholm" and finished that as part of this months theme read.

by Jason D. Mark

Hi Corrie, I think "Bloodlands" fits the theme.


by Timothy Snyder

Corrie, IMO Bloodlands is an excellent book and in many ways a must read, but at the same time a difficult read

I'd normally say I hope you enjoy it, but I don't think that is quite appropriate

Another good work is

A good recommendation Jeff, one that is on my to read pile! Another good book covering one soldiers experience on the Russian Front is this book:

by Gottlob Herbert Bidermann

Chapter 1: The Prelude.
Part 1: The Purge

As mentioned previously, this section deals with the various reactions to the purge. It also includes the affects of the purges.

The first excerpt is by Colonel I. T. Starinov who had gone to Spain to serve as an adviser during the Spanish Civil War. In his writings he talks about how when he came back many old friends were wary of talking to him, due to the fact that he had been to Spain and many of the officers coming back where being treated as if they were enemies of the state. It is an interesting view of someone who stepped into the middle of the purge without realizing that they might be suspect.

The Second one is written by Colonel General A. T. Stuchenko. He was a member of the Cavalry force, and his writing is on the affect of the purge on the Frunze Military Academy. Talking about the disruption of having instructors disappear without explanation and with people afraid to discuss the occurrences.

The Third is by Marshal S. S. Biriuzov. He commanded a Rifle Division on the Retreat to Moscow. In his writing he discusses the fact that after leaving Frunze with an assignment to a Division he arrives to find that no one is in charge and he is assigned to command on the spot.

The last bit in the second on the Purge is written by Lieutenant General A. S. Iakovlev. He worked with the Aircraft Design teams. This section talks about the affect on the Aircraft production and how with effort they were able to get one of the primary designers out of the camps due to their efforts to persuade Stalin of their need for this individual to assist in increasing production and improving designs.

Jeff wrote: "happy wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm sure many of us have read "Ratenkrieg" , which is a great read. But I'm still a big fan of the volumes [bookcover:Stal..."

Thanks Happy and Jeff - will have to add these to the TBR!

Cindy wrote: "Just started reading Eastern Inferno. Reviews are all good. Haven't gotten into it enough to form an opinion yet, but looking forward to the read."

Let me know what you think, Cindy. I'm planning to reading for this month's theme read. I just want to finish first (and I'm still on Sicily, so it might be a while).

Those excerpts sound very interesting Dj. Amazing story about Colonel Starinov being sent to Spain by The regime and then coming back as being 'suspect' for having been in Spain!

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Those excerpts sound very interesting Dj. Amazing story about Colonel Starinov being sent to Spain by The regime and then coming back as being 'suspect' for having been in Spain!"

Stalin was nothing if not unpredictable. LOL.

Very true!

Stalin and his Generals
by Seweryn Bialer

Part II: The New Elite
This section talks about the individuals that rose to replace Officers that had been removed by the Purge.

The first one is by Admiral N. G. Kuznetsov, he discusses the replacement of the Commissar of of the Navy. It is interesting to see how he is forced to work with an individual who has no knowledge of the Navy in any sense.

The Second is by Lieutenant General A. S. Iakovlev.
This section talks about his being named as the Deputy Commissar for Aviation. Something that he tried to persuade Stalin that he wasn't a good fit for. With a notable lack of success.

The Last excerpt in this section is by V. S. Emelianov.
This one talks about the pros and cons of Russian Armor development. In this case not so much in regards to Armor as in tanks, but the armor plating used to protect trains and other things.

Sounds like a lot of interesting information that normally isn't covered in too much depth in other historical accounts. A treasure trove of interesting tidbits.

I just started reading . Sounds like everyone has picked great books for this month's read.

I hope you enjoy "Enemy at the Gates", a good starter for the Russian Front. Will be keen to hear what I think of it as you go along Tionne.

Tionne,
After you read enemy at the gates, pick up War of the Rats, which is novel by David Robbins based on one of the subjects covered in Craig's book.
And the movie Enemy at the Gates, with Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Ed Harris, and Rachel Weisz, is based on the novel, not William Craig's history.

Rory

Dj wrote: "Lieutenant General A. S. Iakovlev.
This section talks about his being named as the Deputy Commissar for Aviation. Something that he tried to persuade Stalin that he wasn't a good fit for. With a notable lack of success. "

fellows in that situation usually work out better
than men who want the job but don't know
much about it. Maybe something Stalin and
other leaders realize.

Thanks for the recommendation, Rory. I'll have to add it to the TBR pile! That movie is terrible. I didn't even know there was a novel by the same name. I like Enemy At The Gates so far, I've read this part before but it's always fascinating how it all built up and went down. I'm glad I don't have to make decisions on that scale. Especially when one is caught between what one feels is the correct decision and what the madman in charge wants.

OK, I'm back home and sort of caught up on my sleep. I have picked up my copy of "Besieged" which covers the battle for Cholm in 1942.

I have started chapter 3 which covers the month of March and I have just read of the arrival, by combat glider, of the German PK-Kriegsberichter (war correspondent) Richard Muck.

The book is full of his B&W photographs and I have found a link to many of these photos if anyone is interested:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cat...

by Jason D. Mark

Will have to pass as heading to central Europe soon. But finishing up two good reads on WWII Masters of the Air about Bomber War in Europe - well done. And also Monuments Men - action of a different sort but a must read if you like WW II history.

Hi Lon,

I've just returned from Europe so I hope you have a fun time there. The group did a buddy read on"Masters of the Air" earlier this year if want to check out the discussion/comments:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

carl wrote: "Dj wrote: "Lieutenant General A. S. Iakovlev.
This section talks about his being named as the Deputy Commissar for Aviation. Something that he tried to persuade Stalin that he wasn't a good fit for..."

Maybe, Iakovlev, didn't want it, due to the fact that he had little administrative experience and was a designer. I wouldn't be able to say how well he did in the job, so it is hard to say if he was good at it or not.

Lon wrote: "Will have to pass as heading to central Europe soon. But finishing up two good reads on WWII Masters of the Air about Bomber War in Europe - well done. And also Monuments Men - action of a differ..."

Hi Lon enjoy the trip and be interested to know when you finish what you think of
by Robert M. Edsel

In my book on the fighting for Cholm in 1942 it appears that one position in the defensive line that was critical was the German held GPU (the Soviet State Political Directorate) building. In one Russian night assault on the 10th March the German defenders threw over a thousand hand grenades to repel this attack and retain their position.

Some information of the battle of Cholm for those interested:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/campa...

So how are folks going with their respective books on the Eastern Front?

I am finding my book a great account, well researched and packed full of B&W photographs.