Battleground Prussia: The Assault on Germany's Eastern Front 1944-45 Book

Ahhh-the titanic battles of WWII's Eastern Front. The time is from the end of Operation Bagration till the end of Nazi Germany. The setting Prussia, Silesia, Pomerania, and the Eastern portion of Germany. I still marvel at the troop numbers on opposing sides. The overwhelming Soviet Armies pitted against the remaining field and panzer divisions of the teetering Wehrmacht. German troops cobbled together whatever they could to throw in the way of the advancing Belorussian and Baltic Fronts (Soviet Army Groups). Slowly the Germans were forced into the Baltic peninsulas; Courland, Samland, and the others. Cities became besieged fortresses; Konigsberg, Danzig, and others. I still marvel that there were few divisions holding up entire Soviet armies, yet vast numbers of German forces were herded into pockets. Example Samland peninsula had an army surrender with 200,000 troops marching into captivity, yet there were only a few Volksturm, army, and panzer divisions-and these maybe at battalion strength.

One fatal flaw for the Germans continuously plagued them, lack of manpower. The German army was awash in rear area formations that could not be converted to suitable combat power. Time and time again, rear areas and stragglers were herded into the companies, battalions, and regiments to replace combat losses. What does the American Army look like? I have often heard of Vietnam with out 1 man in the field being supported by 10-12 rear echelon troops. Back to the review. Needless to say, the Germans could never hope to match the Tank, Shock, Rifle armies massed against it even if all rear echelon troops manned the lines. There was no hope. Yet, the panzer divisions repaired their tanks. A Tiger knocked out 20-30 Russians before it succumbed. Divisions were pulled out of Courland, refitted, then sent back to the Prussian lines. Shattered divisions retreated, regained some strength and went back into the battle. The German Army was slowly ground to dust.

Overall, a great book and another one down for the Russian Front.

Overall, another great