BK315

Oder Front 1945: Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici, Heeresgruppe Weichsel and Germany's Final Defense in the East, 20 March-4 May 1945

By Stephen Hamilton

Product Description:
Nazi Germany's fall is regularly depicted through the dual images of Adolf Hitler directing the final battle for Berlin from his claustrophobic Fuhrerbunker, and the subsequent Soviet victory immortalized by the flying of the 'Hammer and Sickle' over the burnt-out Reichstag. This popular view, that Germany's last battle of World War II was a deliberate, yet fatalistic, defense of Berlin planned and conducted by Hitler, is largely a historically inaccurate depiction that fits a popularized characterization of the Third Reich's end. Germany's final battle began when Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici took command of Heeresgruppe Weichsel (Army Group Vistula) on 20 March 1945, not when the massive Soviet offensive intended to capture Berlin was launched on 16 April. Heinrici, not Hitler, decided that there was only one strategic course left for Germany-hold the Soviets back along the Oder Front long enough to entice the Western Allies across the Elbe River. Heinrici knew two things: the war was lost and what remained of Germany was destined for postwar Soviet occupation. His intent was that a protracted defense along the Oder Front would force General Eisenhower to order the Western Allies into the postwar Soviet Zone of Occupation outlined in the Top Secret Allied Plan known as 'Eclipse', thereby sparing millions of Germans in the east the dismal fate of Soviet vengeance everyone knew was at hand. Berlin, Heinrici ordered, would not be defended. The capital of Germany would not become another 'Stalingrad' as Heinrici told his subordinates. A decision by OKW on 23 April to defend Berlin in a final decisive battle forced Heinrici into direct conflict with his superiors over the conduct of operations along the Oder Front -a conflict that undermined his capability to defend against the Soviets and ultimately cost Heinrici his command.In a companion volume to his successful and highly-regarded study of the Soviet assault on the city of Berlin, 'Bloody Streets', author A. Stephan Hamilton describes the planning and execution of the defense of the Oder Front, reconstructing it day-by-day using previously unpublished personal diaries, postwar interviews, Heeresgruppe Weichsel's war diary and daily command phone logs. Operations of the 3.Panzer Armee, 9.Armee, 12.Armee, and 21.Armee are covered in detail, with their unit movements depicted on over 60 wartime operational maps. The narrative is supported by an extensive selection of appendices, including translations of postwar narratives relating to Heeresgruppe Weichsel penned by senior German officers, biographical notes on notable officers of the Heeresgruppe, and highly detailed orders of battles. In addition to a number of b/w photographs, this study features 64 pages of operational maps reproduced in full color.

Reviews:

A. Stephan Hamilton has written a great book that deserves a space on every military historian's bookshelf - the fact that the Battle for Berlin was a bloodbath is well known; what is not is how this tragedy was nearly avoided due to the efforts of one man, until now. --Douglas E. Nash Sr.

The second book written by A. Stephan Hamilton . . . is an excellent work which is a fine example of comprehensive and extensive research using primary resources to tell a story that is not well known, even among World War II scholars. . . . --George M. Nipe

Historical accuracy comes from exhaustive research and a deft writer's hand. Hamilton's The Oder Front 1945 will prove to be the definitive work on the little understood Nazi defense outside the gates of the German capitol.--Doug McCabe, Curator of the Cornelius Ryan Collection of World War II Papers, Ohio University

Stephan Hamilton's The Oder Front 1945 . . . is the most extensive book in English in its field that provides a wealth of new information about the ... end of Nazi-Germany. . . . Through day-to-day reports and detailed maps, the reader gains a full overview of the battles and all units involved in the fighting. --Martin Mansson

Excellent Work!

Day by day detailed history with b/w photos and actual color battle maps of the final German defensive line before Berlin.

BK315 - Oder Front 1945

Details: Hardcover, 416 pages, LARGE SIZE COFFEE TABLE BOOK, approximately 9 x 12 inches, English text.