Drawing on a superb collection of rare German and Russian photographs this sequel to Battle in the Baltics 1944-45 covers the last battles fought by the Wehrmacht and their SS counterparts in East Prussia, Pomerania and the West Prussian city of Danzig. Those German forces that had survived the constant Soviet artillery barrages, the onslaught of the tank armadas and mass infantry assaults had streamed back westwards, through East Prussia and beyond, where they continued fighting vicious defensive battles until units either ran out of ammunition or were killed.
The book provides an absorbing insight into this long, bitter and unknown Eastern Front campaign. It reveals how the remnants of Hitler`s once-vaunted forces were hurled out of the Baltic States and ordered to wage an unprecedented war of attrition against an overwhelming foe. Here in East and West Prussia, Pomerania and the ancient city of Danzig the Germans stood on the fringes of the Reich and fought a series of colossal battles, being bled white in a desperate attempt to hold together their disintegrating front. Through the use of a large selection of previously unpublished images accompanied by in-depth captions, the author reveals how the Germans were slowly driven from their decimated positions and forced to fight further west. However, Hitler persisted with a blind obsession in the belief that fanatical aggression could hold back the enemy, and endeavoured to pour the last of his resources into these areas in an attempt to win time.
About the Author
Ian Baxter is a military historian who specialises in German twentieth century military history. He has written more than twenty books including Into Abyss: The Last Years of the Waffen-SS, and German Guns of the Third Reich.
- ISBN10 1906033749
- ISBN13 9781906033743
- Publish Date 15 May 2010
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 10 October 2016
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Helion & Company
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 112
- Language English