John’s Reviews > The Bitter Road to Freedom: A New History of the Liberation of Europe > Status Update

The plight of the Displaced Persons. Millions moving around Europe, looking for home, not wanting that home, picking up the pieces. UNRRU,s life saving humanitarian services.

German devastation as they roll into Russia. The tide turns at Stalingrad. More devastation and revenge as the Russians roll across Europe towards Berlin and beyond. Policies on punishment of Germans. NO Fraternization. Poland's return to a national identity is sacrificed to Stalin. There is no liberation for Eastern Europe. Just a changing of dictators.

What a massive toll on life across Europe. While I think I have an understanding of WWII this is a new picture. I realize events don't happen in a vacuum but this is devastation on an immense scale. On D-Day civilian casualties equaled allied losses. The following weeks leveled towns that had stood for centuries. Can one imagine having only what can be carried, with no where to go?