Survivors of Stalingrad: Eyewitness Accounts from the 6th Army, 1942-43
Sep 2014 · Frontline Books
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"The essays offer an unvarnished look at not only the severe fighting that characterized these months, but also the simple attempt to survive the rampant disease, malnourishment, and harsh winter on the steppe and in the ruins of Stalingrad."— Globe at War
In November 1942 – in a devastating counter-attack from outside the city – Soviet forces smashed the German siege and encircled Stalingrad, trapping some 290,000 soldiers of the 6th Army inside. For almost three months, during the harshest part of the Russian winter, the German troops endured atrocious conditions. Freezing cold and reliant on dwindling food supplies from Luftwaffe air drops, thousands died from starvation, frostbite or infection if not from the fighting itself. This important work reconstructs the grim fate of the 6th Army in full for the first time by examining the little-known story of the field hospitals and central dressing stations. The author has trawled through hundreds of previously unpublished reports, interviews, diaries and newspaper accounts to reveal the experiences of soldiers of all ranks, from simple soldiers to generals. The book includes first-hand accounts of soldiers who were wounded or fell ill and were flown out of the encirclement; as well as those who fought to the bitter end and were taken prisoner by the Soviets. They reflect on the severity of the fighting, and reveal the slowly ebbing hopes for survival. Together they provide an illuminating and tragic portrait of the appalling events at Stalingrad.
In November 1942 – in a devastating counter-attack from outside the city – Soviet forces smashed the German siege and encircled Stalingrad, trapping some 290,000 soldiers of the 6th Army inside. For almost three months, during the harshest part of the Russian winter, the German troops endured atrocious conditions. Freezing cold and reliant on dwindling food supplies from Luftwaffe air drops, thousands died from starvation, frostbite or infection if not from the fighting itself. This important work reconstructs the grim fate of the 6th Army in full for the first time by examining the little-known story of the field hospitals and central dressing stations. The author has trawled through hundreds of previously unpublished reports, interviews, diaries and newspaper accounts to reveal the experiences of soldiers of all ranks, from simple soldiers to generals. The book includes first-hand accounts of soldiers who were wounded or fell ill and were flown out of the encirclement; as well as those who fought to the bitter end and were taken prisoner by the Soviets. They reflect on the severity of the fighting, and reveal the slowly ebbing hopes for survival. Together they provide an illuminating and tragic portrait of the appalling events at Stalingrad.
"The essays offer an unvarnished look at not only the severe fighting that characterized these months, but also the simple attempt to survive the rampant disease, malnourishment, and harsh winter on the steppe and in the ruins of Stalingrad."— Globe at War
In November 1942 – in a devastating cou...
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8 reviews
About the author
REINHOLD BUSCH was born in 1942 in Metz, Lorraine. He graduated in medicine in 1967 and practised as a doctor for several years. Since 1995, Busch has conducted research on the health services of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He has authored several publications on the subject.
REINHOLD BUSCH was born in 1942 in Metz, Lorraine. He graduated in medicine in 1967 and practised as a doctor for several years. Since 1995, Busch has conducted research on the health services of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He has authored several publications on the subject.
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