Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Book in excellent unread/unused condition. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> Nazi Germany’s fall is regularly depicted through the dual images of Adolf Hitler directing the final battle for Berlin from his claustrophobic F?hrerbunker. and the subsequent Soviet victory immortalized by the flying of the ‘Hammer and Sickle’ over the burnt- out Reichstag. This popular view that Germany’s last battle of World War II was a deliberate yet fatalistic defense of Berlin planned and conducted by Hitler is largely a historically inaccurate depiction that fits a popularized characterization of the Third Reich’s end. Germany’s final battle began when Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici took command of Heeresgruppe Weichsel (Army Group Vistula) on 20 March 1945 not when the massive Soviet offensive intended to capture Berlin was launched on 16 April. Heinrici not Hitler decided that there was only one strategic course left for Germany-hold the Soviets back along the Oder Front long enough to entice the Western Allies across the Elbe River. Heinrici knew two things: the war was lost and what remained of Germany was destined for postwar Soviet occupation. His intent was that a protracted defense along the Oder Front would force General Eisenhower to order the Western Allies into the postwar Soviet Zone of Occupation outlined in the Top Secret Allied Plan known as ‘Eclipse’ thereby sparing millions of Germans in the east the dismal fate of Soviet vengeance everyone knew was at hand. Berlin Heinrici ordered would not be defended. The capital. of Germany would not become another ‘Stalingrad as Heinrici told his subordinates. A decision by OKW on 23 April to defend Berlin in a final decisive battle forced Heinrici into direct conflict with his superiors over the conduct of operations along the Odet Front a conflict that undermined bus capability to defend against the Soviets. (OS)