Hitler's Panzer Armies on the Eastern Front
When they were first formed the panzer armies were at
the cutting of the blitzkrieg, controlling huge numbers of tanks and mobile infantry. This book follows the four panzer armies that fought on the Eastern Front, from their initial dramatic
victories, through the years of defeat to the final defence of Germany.
Kirchubel has produced a 'unit history' on the largest scale. His work shares the strengths and weaknesses common to that genre. On the downside we only follow the events of a particular battle
or campaign for as long as our unit is involved (although this is less pronounced here that is often the case, partly because the panzer armies tended to be involved in the entire duration of a
battle). We don't often find out what is happening to neighbouring units. However Kirchubel does give more space to the Soviet side of the story than is sometimes the case in this sort of
book.
On the positive side we get a coherent account of the activities of these four panzer armies, following our units when they leave the centre of events. We are taken into areas that are rarely
covered, particularly the war against the Yugoslav partisans. The four panzer armies took part in most of the major battles on the Eastern Front, and so we get to see how the nature of the
fighting changes as the Germans lost the initiative, and then the war.
We also get a good sense of the relationship between the army commanders, their superiors in the high command, and above them all Hitler. This is a very useful piece of work and a valuable
contribution to the literature on the Eastern Front.
Author : Robert Kirchubel
ISBN-13 : 9781844159284
Publisher : Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date : 19/01/2010
Editorial Reviews
Military Scale Modeler
....an excellent book, readable, and fast moving, telling the full story of the Panzer armies' advances and ultimately, their defeat.
Military Scale Modeler
... an excellent book, readable, and fast moving, telling the full story of the Panzer armies' advances and ultimately, their defeat.