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D**K
Great Operational Coverage of the Southern Salient
This has been a good year for Operation Citadel fans for three good books have been published. Mr Nipe's is the last book published and its one of the best that I've read. It competes quite well with Zamulin's "Demolishing the Myth" (= Myth), though Nipe's book is from the German perspective and Zamulin the Soviet perspective. The comparison gets even better for both authors choose to concentrate on the 2nd PzC. Nipe takes the offensive side of the SS Corps while Zamulin handles the defensive side where the Soviets try to stop the SS. I haven't studied Nipe's "Blood, Steel and Myth" (= Steel) as much as Zamulin's but I've read numerous engagements of fortified hills and villages that are common to both books. I can already tell the coverage of both books is very good and reach near equality with each other.Steel, which has the same outside dimensions as "Last Victory in Russia" but has an additional 118 pages, opens with two introductory chapters which describes the legacy of Stalingrad, describing the losses the Germans suffered while they were forced back to the Donets River. You also learn about the Soviet Armies that did the pushing and which ones will ultimately be confronted in the summer. The second chapter details the officers and men of the three divisions making up the 2nd SS PzC. Some of the strengths and weaknesses are discussed among many other topics like preparations and deployments. The section was good but the Soviet General Staff Study translated by Glantz is more complete on the Soviet side in this area of prep and deployment. Special attention on the German side reminds the reader that German forces had still not fully recovered from earlier fighting in the year and that their panzer divisions were far from established levels. Hausser had far less than the 1000 or more panzers and assault guns legend claims he had. Hitler made things worse for Hoth when the dictator gave a battalion of Ferdinands to Model that were slated for the south.On the Soviet side, it emphasized how the Red Army had greatly improved and enlarged their tank assets since 1941 along with having some of the toughest officers around. They would be going into this German offensive with a large plurality in tanks, guns and men. The fact that the Soviets had months to prepare defenses also tipped the advantage to the Soviet side. These chapters will give readers a decent backdrop when the campaign starts.The rest of the book covers the fighting and is divided by chapters for each day. Each chapter concludes with a concise summary. The daily events are usually broken down by hour as well so the reader can have a clearer perception of battle events. It starts on 7/4 and ends on 7/17. This book has greater coverage than what the subtitle implies for the author does provide a daily summary of the activity of 48th PzC and 3rd PzC which provided flank protection for 2nd SS PzC. Each key division has its own section in the chapter; Mr Nipe is trying to make this book, with all its many facets, as easy as possible to follow. This book is easier to follow than "Myth" and the Kursk book by David Glantz though thats a very good book also. The infantry corps on the extreme flanks receive little coverage and there are a few instances of the panzer divisions on the flanks receiving modest daily attention as well.Much of the time the engagements are discussed at division/regiment level but in a few instances battalion or even company level is covered. Much of the book covers the ground action but coverage of the air operations for both sides are also included.Though this book is German centric, Soviet defenses and deployments are well covered but not to the same depth as the German side. You will know which rifle division or tank brigade or corps the Germans are going up against. You'll also learn other things like why 7th GA put up such strong resistance against 3rd PzC. The level of detail is comparable to the author's two earlier works. Mr Nipe does a nice job describing the operational movements and engagements as well as the targets and objectives. Key officers and men are also mentioned for the contributions made in leadership or bravery to each specific engagement. Strachwitz, Peiper, Wittmann, Frey, Decker and many others are discussed. The author also discusses the tactical errors the Germans made that would cost them dearly. The capture of Cherkasskoe and the loss of so many panzers by GD on the first day are good examples.The author also points out instances where the Germans were also uncoordinated during maneuvers whether between ground/air operations or between divisions that caused many casualties and slowed their progress. He also shows the "fog of war" where events were constantly changing and where if you had pivoted left instead of right or if you waited an hour or a day to attack a certain objective the results would have been much different. The simplicity and clarity of this narrative will give readers a chance to see Operation Citadel from the German perspective more accurately.As the story of the offensive unfolds, the author sometimes pauses his narrative to discuss and explode myths, misconceptions and falsehoods that have evolved over the decades. Items like how many and types of panzers the SS Corps or 4th PzA had. When it was decided and why the SS turned toward Prokhorovka or the number of tanks the 5th GTA and the SS deployed on the 12th and how many were destroyed. Issues concerning 24th PzC and the number of panzers it had and why it never fell under Hoth's control are also covered.One issue that was covered in "Myth" but not here is the pros and cons of the route chosen for 48th PzC and the new Panther Brigade. The rugged and sometimes marshy terrain in Vorskla/Pena River sectors was a bad choice for a Panzer Corps and especially one with nearly 200 Panthers having mechanical problems. Mr Nipe describes the terrain difficulties of the sector but doesn't explore alternative routes. Vatutin expected a heavier response from the Germans east of the Donets which had better lanes of travel for panzers.Quotes from prominent historians like David Glantz as well as fragments from primary documents are interspersed throughout the book. These sidebars, which are usually more operational in nature than personal, are helpful but are not as plentiful as you'll find in "Myth".In the final chapter, "Myths and Conclusions" among other issues points out and destroys the myths that have grown in popularity. He also compares the Reserves that were available for both sides. The Germans, in reality, didn't have reserves while Vatutin could fall back on Konev's Steppe Front. Konev still had four armies, four corps and an Air Army left which could have been used if Prokhorovka had fallen to LAH. That never happened so Konev's forces were used on the major counteroffensive.There are 11 gray maps. Four maps are double page so you may consider 15 maps in all. There is a map for each day for 48th PzC and 2nd SS PzC. These maps are large and cover not the entire battle range but just a little more than just the area of that day's advance. These maps carry almost all of the key hills and villages discussed in the narrative as well as the key deployments for both sides. These are some of the best and most useful maps you'll find. They will help you follow the tactical progress of the offensive as well as helping the reader determine where the hard fighting centers were situated which were along the defensive belts that were built prior to the offensive. For some reason the 3rd PzC had minimal coverage on these maps. The areas of Shakhovo and Rzhavets were incomplete. "Demolishing the Myth" has a good map of 3rd PzC advancement. I had a little trouble reading the German spellings but it does appear that several key villages located along the southern bank of the Psel that SSTK had to capture were missing. In this instance, "Myth" maps can supply those villages. You will find that both books have areas of coverage that will supplement the other book and is a good reason to have both books if you're an avid fan of the campaign.There are 312 photos and the gallery is excellent in showing key German officers, soldiers, panzers and battlefield destruction.The Appendix is also noteworthy for its useful information. It includes an abbreviated Order of Battle for both sides (Myth's OBs are more extensive on the Soviet side), panzer breakdown by division and type, SS Division organization, a Panther profile, German casualties, and mini profiles of 58 SS officers who fought in the operation. It closes with a Glossary and Rank Compairson. End Notes and a Bibliograpy of Primary and Secondary sources are included. The Bibliography is not as lengthy as I imagined but its replete with noted historians. A useful Index completes the book.Mr Nipe has spent years studying the critical battles in the sectors north and south of Kursk and his three books are excellent examples of that hard work. For approximately eight months of 1943, the author covers the critical battles at Kharkov early in the year and follows that with his latest book in the southern Kursk salient. His third book covers the important German defensive in the Mius/Mearla Rivers sector, southwest of Belgorod, of late July, August period which was a critical period after Citadel was canceled. The combined trilogy is most informative and insightful to the serious student.Mr Nipe's new book, even though some of the "new", myth busting information presented had already been discussed by Zamulin and Lloyd Clark in their new books, presents an overall nice package that includes pertinent operational historiography that's insightful and easy to follow, helpful maps and great photos. This would make a solid learning tool and great collector item for all Citadel fans and is highly recommended.
F**N
Crowning jewel of Nipe's 1943 SS Trilogy
From the beginning I must say that "Blood, steel and myth" is a first class piece of scholarship and ranks alongside the best studies dedicated to this operation. I was impressed by writing style of the author's in his previous books (Last victory in Russia and Decision in the Ukraine). So I read the last book with great pleasure, without be concerned with all that propaganda stuff met in some recent books about this operation.Being already very familiar with the details of this battle before even reading this book it was rather easy to follow author's accurate presentation.Before the battle coverage begins, the first two chapters present background history that help support the reader's understanding of the coming battle.Chapter I (The Legacy of Stalingrad and Kharkov) contains useful information about both armies before Kursk. However, it doesn't cover the Manstein's proposed strategic options-backhand/forehand maneuvers and other proposed operations apart Zitadelle (Panther and Habicht).The strategy of both sides for the coming operation is also discussed for different levels.Few small errors sometimes occur: The Steppe Front (the strategic reserve) first full presentation (page 15, with 1495 tanks) doesn't match the other presentations throughout the book (page 20, 1600 tanks and page 471, 1719 tanks).A special attention is dedicated to weaknesses of Soviet tanks (lack of communications, driving buttoned).Interesting details about German preparations and force rebuilding efforts are fully described in Chapter II (The 4.Panzerarmee prepares for operation Citadel). A very clear explanation is given by Mr Nipe to the question of a possible earlier German offensive in May or June: the Germans were not prepared, not regaining their full strength. The transformation of the 3 SS PzG Divs. is also fully described. In order to help create Hitlerjugend, Leibstandarte (LAH) lost many talented officers, an artillery battalion, a recon company and a tank battalion. No wonder, with such influx of experienced personnel Hitlerjugend appeared so deadly a year later, in Normandy. The fact that LAH operated with a single tank battalion (the other battalion was to receive Panthers in Germany), like Das Reich/DR, I think had some impact on German success. Surprisingly, Totenkopf retained its two tank battalion, being the strongest division of the II SS Korps. DR also experienced some important personnel departures.Army divisions rebuilding was also treated. Even after finishing the book I was still unable to understand how many Panthers were actually incorporated in Grossdeuschland (GD) since different figures were provided (page 9, aprox. 190-196, page 39, aprox. 194, page 93, aprox. 190, page 148, again 194, page 459 again-194 etc). Their distribution is seen important by author due to their power; different variants of their employment are discussed, as far as I know, for the first time. Also for the first time I learned that Hoth could have a battalion of Ferdinands; interesting fact that can fuel a debate about their possible role and chances of success.Soviet units and formations were described as detailed it is necessary.Beginning with the chapter III (The preliminary attacks) the author describes the battle day by day. The main focus is on SS PzK divisions but I noticed an accent placed on 48 PzK advance which had difficult times even from beginning, partially from uninspired lead coming from oberst von Strachwitz (CO Pz Reg/GD), an officer who received a very close "scrutiny" throughout the book. The SS had a better start from many points of view, but also from having a much better operation plan with an inspired scheme of maneuver. Moreover, the other neighbor units, Armeeabteilung Kempf divisions (III PzK particularly), are also covered.Each day starts with a short introduction, linking with the previous day and orient the reader (helpful maps), and ends with an explanatory tactical summary.Different actions of both sides and their results are presented, accompanied by many B&W photos, some with very powerful visual appeal (144-145, 177, 229, 362 etc). Leaders' decisions (Hoth, Hausser, Vatutin etc) are debated with useful critiques.Being, most of all, a combined arms operation, the author placed his focus on every branch role and performance in this battle. However, I believe that the book deserved much more "air cover" (air operations presentation!). I was particularly impressed by J. Peiper account (one of the brave leader of SS troops in LAH) about some "disobedience spread and... fictitious reporting" as result of inept orders of SS generals. (page 367)Operation Roland and the start of German withdrawal at their initial bases are covered entirely in chapter 14. Finally, as known, Hitler cancelled the operation correctly since the success was so improbable. The influence of Soviet Orel offensive or Allied landings in Sicily on Hitler's decision is not commented here, but in chapter 12.While the Southern German pincer of the Kursk battle is well covered, the book's next primary focus is on the exploring the wrong assertions and uncorrected myths about this battle (chapter 15). Addressing to long-tolerated myths, Mr Nipe is putting the military history right.First, it was a huge intelligence failure for the German side at strategic and operational levels; as we know, conversely, Soviets had enjoyed strategic (knowing in advance about German intentions) and operational intelligence warnings and information.When reading about the huge Soviet reserves waiting, certainly there is no doubt about their intelligence coup prior to the operation in finding the German intentions. The Soviet reserves where present in the right place/locations (close to the front) and at the right time (arrived on 8 July)...There are many myths discussed, not all new, but I really enjoyed the conclusions. I read many conclusions of this battle in other books, but never found such solid, argumentative and supportive information. Every claim/error written in previous books about Kursk is shown and combated with the necessary explanations. It is hard to find such organization and clarity in a book. Definitely it will be a before and an after "Blood, steel and myth"!Here Mr Nipe state accurately that Citadel failed on the strategic level when Model's 9 Army (Northern pincer) failed to penetrate the Soviet defenses at Ponyri and Olkhovatka. I expected for long such solid conclusion that tells us that the Zitadelle's fate was not decided in south, but rather in north! For the moment when Model couldn't continue his attack, the whole operation was totally compromised; at strategic level it mattered little if SS took Prohorowka or not - the pincers would never meet! From that moment, all available Soviet forces could be concentrated on a sole South direction. I never found such a sound conclusion, as far I remember.Therefore, far from being actually defeated, the Germans tried and I believe they achieved a tactical success in South. Eventually, they retreated according to their own agenda. Mr. Nipe continued with a comment about the possibility of committing more divisions in the Operation, but at that time there were no available reserves, almost everything was busy on different fronts. Best ever conclusions!I liked the 11 grey maps which details the opponents' maneuvers on daily basis (out of which 4 are larger, double-page maps that are depicting the most important days during this operation: 5, 6, 7 and of course 12 July).While reading, I frequently wondered why Mr. Nipe did not describe the whole story of this famous operation (treating both pincers). After all, he had a good quality amount of information, a huge bag with excellent (SS) photos, an amazing writing style, clarity ...The book reads extremely well and I assume it makes the best use of what source material is available and leaves not many questions unanswered (the endnotes at the end of each chapter shows the primary source - German archives).The book is heavily illustrated and I found over 300 interesting photos with the main German commanders and equipment. I finally discovered the real name of a SS officer (Hugo Kraas, page 284) which was twice mislabeled in "Last victory in Russia" (pages 68 and 153), with different names.Many detailed and useful appendixes (Orders of battle, tanks strengths, estimated German casualties in WW II and a self-explanatory comparison of Strategic Reserves of both sides etc) completed this overwhelming book.I highly recommend this book, detailed and rich in military history. You will don't need another book covering Southern forces' operations at Kursk!P.S. As in the previous books, the author misspelled the name of Romania with "Rumania". The real and actual country's name is Romania and this is the only spelling since 1859, when adopted this name. The form with "o" (Romania) was particularly chosen to stress the people's descendency from the ancient Romans. It will be nice to see this finally corrected!
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