Panzer Operations: The Eastern Front Memoir Of General Raus, 1941-1945 - Hardcover

Raus, Erhard; Newton, Steven H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0306812479 ISBN 13: 9780306812477

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2003

Synopsis

Drawing from post-war reports commissioned by U.S. Army intelligence, World War II historian Steven H. Newton has translated, compiled, and edited the battle accounts of one of Germany's finest panzer commanders and a skilled tactician of tank warfare. Throughout most of the war, Erhard Raus was a highly respected field commander in the German-Soviet war on the eastern front, and after the war he wrote an insightful analysis of German strategy in that campaign.The Raus memoir covers the Russian campaign from the first day of the war to his relief from command at Hitler's order in the spring of 1945. It includes a detailed examination of the 6th Panzer Division's drive to Leningrad, Raus's own experiences in the Soviet winter counteroffensive around Moscow, the unsuccessful attempt to relieve Stalingrad, and the final desperate battles inside Germany at the end of the war. His battlefield experience and keen tactical eye make his memoir especially valuable for scholars, and his narrative is as readable as Heinz Guderian's celebrated Panzer Leader.

About this title

About the Author:

Steven H. Newton is Professor of History at Delaware State University. His previous books on World War II include Kursk: The German View and Retreat from Leningrad.

Review:

"A very useful work for students of the war on the Eastern Front." -- WWII History May 2004

"A welcome addition to the literature on World War II...A vivid account of operations and an insightful study." -- Foreign Affairs March/April 2004

"An informative and compelling account...Raus provides sufficient whiffs of gunpowder to engross even the non-specialist." -- The Journal of Military History January 2005

"Beautifully descriptive scenes...a good military history...an interesting, enjoyable read." -- Curled Up With A Good Book 5/5/04

"Especially valuable for scholars, while his readable narrative will engage even the casual military buff or history enthusiast." --SirReadaLot.org 12/20/03

The brilliant panzer tank general who was also one of the German army's best field commanders . Drawing from post-war reports commissioned by U.S. Army intelligence, World War II historian Steven H. Newton has translated, compiled, and edited the battle accounts of one of Germany's finest panzer commanders and a skilled tactician of tank warfare. Throughout most of the war, Erhard Raus was a highly respected field commander in the German-Soviet war on the eastern front, and after the war he wrote an insightful analysis of German strategy in that campaign.The Raus memoir covers the Russian campaign from the first day of the war to his relief from command at Hitler's order in the spring of 1945. It includes a detailed examination of the 6th Panzer Division's drive to Leningrad, Raus's own experiences in the Soviet winter counteroffensive around Moscow, the unsuccessful attempt to relieve Stalingrad, and the final desperate battles inside Germany at the end of the war. His battlefield experience and keen tactical eye make his memoir especially valuable for scholars, and his narrative is as readable as Heinz Guderian's celebrated Panzer Leader. --Larry Petersen

Panzer Operations by Erhard Raus is the memoir of one of Germany's leading panzer generals of World War Two. Confined to events on the Eastern Front, Panzer Operations follows Raus' career from command of a motorised brigade during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 to his eventual dismissal as a panzer army commander in 1945. Raus' book is remarkable for the insight it provides into German armoured operations at a tactical, rather than operational or strategic, level. This provides Panzer Operations with a distinct point of difference to the classic memoirs of Guderian or Von Mellenthin. Raus' memoir highlights the narrow margin of superiority the German's enjoyed in 1941 and how attrition, lack of reserves and the fearsome Russian winter led to their defeat at the gates of Moscow. The way in which the campaign on the Eastern Front stretched the capabilities of the Wehrmacht to the utmost and the constant improvisation demanded of hard-fighting front line units is laid bare. More than any other book I've read, Panzer Operations illustrates the immense gamble Hitler took when he ordered the invasion of the Soviet Union. The Wehrmacht's proficiency and relative superiority at the tactical level could not make up for Russian advantages in material, manpower and, eventually, operational and strategic conduct of the war. Hitler's interference in military decision making, and its negative consequences for the Wehrmacht's fighting ability, is also illustrated by Raus. --By R Heron

About this edition

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0306812479
• ISBN 13: 9780306812477
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384