Into the Cauldron (Vol.II) Das Reich on the Eastern Front
Robert Michulec & Dmitriy Zgonnik
In his previous volume, Robert Michulec examined the role of "Das
Reich" in the invasion of France. This latest work provides an
invaluable partner as it looks at the participation of "Das Reich",
now established fully as a Waffen SS division, on the Eastern
Front. The volume commences with a description of the "Das Reich"
Division as it took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of
the Soviet Union from 22 June 1941 onwards. What followed was a
stunning series of victories that swept "Das Reich" and other
German units across the vast Russian steppes to the very gates of
Moscow. However, stiffening Soviet resistance and frigid winter
conditions brought the momentum of the assault to a grinding and
deadly halt. After refitting in France, the division returned to
the Eastern Front and participated in combat in places like Kharkov
and in the momentous Battle of Kursk in July 1943. After this, "Das
Reich" was involved in the bitter retreat back to the borders of
the Fatherland, including episodes such as the effort to relieve
the Korsun Pocket, as well as combat in Hungary.
The book documents the waxing and waning fortunes of "Das Reich" in
a rich collection of black and white photographs. Pictures show
troops in the lead-up to the invasion of Russia, as well as in
combat in the vast Soviet interior. These photos show troops,
equipment and vehicles in all sorts of conditions from the summer
dust to autumn mud and winter snow. For example, motorcycles, cars,
trucks, antitank weapons and tanks all find a place between the
covers. In this book from Concord Publications' Warrior series, the
fighting man of "Das Reich" naturally remains the focus, and it
gives some indication of the kind of hardships he endured on the
Eastern Front.
In the center of the book, the artist Dmitriy Zgonnik displays four
color plates showing typical soldiers resplendent in their combat
uniforms and wielding a range of weapons. Throughout the book, the
author has included detailed captions to keep readers informed
about specific characteristics of "Das Reich," its equipment and
organization. This is a fitting second volume about this famous
German division, and it traces in some illustrated detail its
exploits on the Eastern Front.
Format 21 x 28 cm, Paperback, 52 Seiten, 134 s/w-Fotos, 4
Farbtafeln, englischer Text, Best.-Nr. Con6534