At the beginning of August 1944, when the Red Army reached East Prussia, neither Stalin nor anyone else in his entourage suspected that the conquering of the easternmost province of the Third Reich would take more than eight months, costing an enormous amount of effort and the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The first two attempts of the young Soviet General Chernyakhovsky to penetrate deep into the enemy territory failed miserably, which, in turn, forced Stalin to redeploy considerable forces to that area and allow them to prepare thoroughly for the final assault. The assault in question commenced in the small hours of 13 January 1945 and continued for almost four months. It would go down in history as one of the most ferocious battles of World War II.
This new study by the Bulgarian author Kamen Nevenkin scrutinises that third and final attempt by powerful Soviet forces to capture East Prussia. Using a considerable number of German archival documents, as well as formerly classified Soviet General Staff studies, the author discusses in detail all aspects of the battles that took place from January to April 1945, including the objectives, plans and build-up prior to the offensive, the opening onslaught of the Red Army, the initial Soviet penetration of the front and subsequent breakout and onward drive, including the bitter fighting for Koenigsberg, the destruction of the German 4th Army and the closing stages of the offensive around Samland. The text is well supported by a number of photographs, maps, references, tables and detailed appendices, including orders of battle.
About the Author
Kamen Nevenkin lives in Sofia, Bulgaria. His first book was the classic Fire Brigades.
- ISBN10 1906033854
- ISBN13 9781906033859
- Publish Date 15 May 2011
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Helion & Company
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 248
- Language English