Red Storm over the Balkans: The Failed Soviet Invasion of Romania, Spring 1944 (Modern War Studies) |
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| Title: | Red Storm over the Balkans: The Failed Soviet Invasion of Romania, Spring 1944 (Modern War Studies) |
| Author: | David M. Glantz |
| Publisher: | University Press of Kansas |
| Type: | Book / Hardcover |
| Publication Date: | 16 November, 2006 |
| ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0700614656 / 9780700614653 |
| List Price: | $39.95 |
| You Save: | $12.83 |
| Amazon Price: | $27.12 |
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Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
Germany's Eastern Front in World War II saw many campaigns and battles that have been "forgotten" by a Soviet Union that tried to hide its military failures. The Red Army's invasion of Romania in April and May 1944 was one such campaign, which produced nearly 200,000 casualties and tarnished the reputations of its commanders. The redoubtable David Glantz, the world's leading authority on the Soviet military in World War II, now restores this tale to its proper place in the annals of World War II. Working from newly available Russian and long-neglected German archives-plus Red Army unit histories and commanders' memoirs-Glantz reconstructs an imposing mosaic that reveals the immense scope and ambitious intent of the first Iasi-Kishinev offensive. His re-creation shows that Stalin was not as preoccupied with a direct route to Berlin as he was with a "broad front" strategy designed to gain territory and find vulnerable points in Germany's extended lines of defense. If successful, the invasion would have also eliminated Romania as Germany's ally, cut off the vital Ploiesti oilfields, and provided a base from which to consolidate Soviet power throughout the Balkans. Glantz discloses General Ivan Konev's strategic plan as the 2nd Ukrainian Front prepared its Iasi offensive and fought a climactic battle with the German Eighth Army and its Romanian allies in the Tirgu-Frumos region in early May, then the regrouping of General Rodion Malinovsky's 3rd Ukrainian Front for its decisive offensive toward Kishinev, which aborted in the face of a skillful counterstroke by a threadbare German Sixth Army. Glantz describes how the Wehrmacht, with a nucleus of combat veterans, was able to beat back Soviet forces hampered by spring floods, while already fragile Soviet logistical support was further undermined by the Wehrmacht's scorched-earth strategy. Although Konev's and Malinovsky's offensives failed, the Red Army managed to inflict heavy losses on Axis forces, exacerbating the effects of Germany's defeats in the Ukraine and making it more difficult for the Wehrmacht to contain the Soviet juggernaut's ultimate advance toward Berlin. This book is part of the Modern War Studies series.
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Customer Reviews:
• Disappointing
22 February, 2007
Being an avid student of the Russo-German war and having a few hundred books on the subject, ranging from detailed German unit histories to books with a wide scope like those by Earl Ziemke, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book as it promised to fill a gap in my knowledge of the Eastern Front. I was also worried, because I have all the books by Glantz and they can be divided into three categories: boring and unreadable (whenever he focuses on Russian sources; example: The Battle for Lvov), extremely interesting and well written (because they offer new information and new insights; example: Zhukov's greatest defeat) and books that offer a bit of both (example: When Titans Clashed). This latest book, I am afraid, falls into the last category. After reading it my first impulse was to rip out the first 150 pages. Being a book lover I did not do this of course, but still... In this first third of the book Glantz describes, no sorry, lists, units, commanders (boring the reader to tears) and actually describes what is on the maps!! Any editor worth his salt should have told Glantz to stop babbling and refer the material to an appendix or (in case of the battle dispositions) refer to the maps.
On the plus side: mainly thanks to German sources, the book does offer new information about the Red Army's failed spring campaign, which in the end is why I am still glad that I bought the book. If, like me, you want to know more about the fighting around Targul Frumos or the Dnjestr bridgeheads, I am afraid you will have to buy this book. Hence three stars (just sufficient).
However, I really hope that for Glantz' next few books somebody with common sense will sift through the material and make Glantz realise that, ultimately, a book should not only contain lots of information but first and foremost be READABLE! As a writer about the war myself as well as a voracious reader I think I know what I am talking about. Glantz can give me a call any day of the week for some free advice.
Jack Didden
- Amazon Customer Review
• Glantz's Greatest Defeat
28 February, 2007
Glantz's books differ quite significantly in quality. Of the eight I have read, this was the worst. The writing is relatively poor, and features a lot of repetition, with little flow or tension. It feels rushed. The book is crying out for a good editor to really clean it up. The history, of course, is excellent as always. But I would recommend his operational studies of Mars and Kursk before this one. They are both excellent.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Soviet Invasion Of Romania & The Battle Of Tirgu Frumos 1944
25 July, 2009
After reading some of the more negative reviews of this book I decided to offer my own opinions. Once again Glantz offers an in depth analysis of a little known battle in Soviet/German War. This book is not for the casual WWII reader who prefers generalisations. If this is what you prefer then I recommend any books by Anthony Beevor, Paul Carell or Alan Clark's "Barbarossa". This book analysis in detail why a far superior Soviet force with the new JSII heavy tanks in the vanguard failed to penetrate the German defenses & were defeated on this front at this stage of the war. It gives detailed casualty figures on both sides & shows just how serious these were for the Soviet's. Who for a long time failed to even acknowledge the offensive at all. It also shows why Hitler let the majority of his armour stay in Army Group North & South Ukraine, thereby leaving Army leaving Army Group Centre massively exposed to the Summer offensive of June 1944. While not being the best of Glantz's offering it does analyze an essential battle of the Eastern Front struggle. I hope that one of his next offerings will be about the Soviet invasion of Hungary.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Great Book For Advanced Readers
10 May, 2007
This guy is simply the best military writer i've ever read.
At my age, i need a magnifying glass for the maps. That's my one objection, but i assume younger people will have no problem. This is another Glantz special: an utterly fantastic detailed miltary description of the initial Soviet attempt to invade Romania. These books must be a godsend for the companies that make wargames. After reading Glantz books, i feel like becoming a wargame designer myself! If you're into the movements of armies, corps, divisions, this book is heaven. The maps are great (though i wish they were bigger!)
If you want to read about the "personal" or "human interest" side of war, don't buy this book, there's nothing in it for you. It's also not for the casual military reader, it's very detailed.
I only wish some of Glantz' other publications werent so darned expensive; i'd own them all.
He's simply the best military writer i've ever read.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Typical Glantz - In-depth Operational Study Of The Early Romanian Campaign
18 January, 2010
In the first two chapters, an overview of the Winter 44 campaign in southern Ukraine as well as the battle action in the northeast corner of Romania, which will last until the first week of June, is given to prepare the reader for the upcoming detailed accounting. The key Front commanders of the Russian side is Konev and Malinovsky while on the German side will be Woehler, Manteuffel and Knobelsdroff. There are many others mentioned from both sides but these are the key officers. A decent bio is given for each person as well as having a photo. This accounting is Russian-centric and there is more information given about the their commanders and their forces as compared to the Axis side. Though there are repeated attacks covered, there is basically only two general areas of fighting: Along the southern Dnestr River and in the Tirgu-Trumos area.
Battle action starts in early April and will run until early June with Konev's 2nd UF repeatedly attacking along the Tirgu-Frumos axis that will include battles at Podu-Iloaie, Iasi, Tirgu-Neamt, Pascani and of course Tirgu-Frumos sectors. Also in April, Malinovsky's 3rd UF, after liberating Odessa, will attack the German defenses along the Dnestr River between Tiraspol and Grigoriopol. It will also cover the battles for Orgeev and Dubossary. At the start of the campaign both Front commanders are confident of success but the determination and knowledge of mobile warfare by the Germans will frustrate and deny the Russians their victory. The main German forces were 6th and 8th Armies.
The detailed operational coverage is excellent, comparable to the author's Leningrad or Kursk books but not as good as his two new Stalingrad books. As usual the author will describe the basic plan, give the step by step action of the battle or campaign and then analyze the results. For anybody who has read and liked Glantz will like this book for its format and style is exactly like his other books. Interspersed with the author's dialog are many fragments of after action reports which helps the reader get a feel of what the commanders were experiencing. High praise is given to Grossdeutschland Division and 24th PzD which consistently throughout the entire period stopped the Russians at every encounter. After the first week of June, Konev calls off his failed offensive for Operation Bagration is about to start and his Front will no longer have priority but he will regroup and start his offensive again in August.
In Conclusions Mr Glantz states that the two Russian Fronts had the potential to defeat the inferior German forces but due to their overconfidence and lack of coordination between the two Fronts victory alluded them.
There are ten tables and 32 maps. Most of the maps appear to be authentic war maps; some were quite busy and a magnifying glass will help. The maps are essential for better understanding of the battle narrative. (Rolf Hinze's new book, "Crucible of Combat" is due to be published and part of his book covers these two campaigns. I'm anxious to see if his maps and battle coverage will add to the coverage of this book.) There is a useful Appendix with Russian directives. There is also a series of Orders of Battle and photographs of most of the key players. A 16 page Notes section, a 5 page Bibliography and a Index completes the book.
For 1944, these campaigns were extremely important for German forces for it stopped two Fronts from advancing, gave them a little breathing room and gave them a shot of pride when it was most needed. In addition to providing great details of the operations, the profiles of the many Soviet commanders is also interesting and informative, giving credit to many lesser known officers. Mr Glantz takes these campaigns seriously and does a fine job of reinacting ithem. If you have an interest in this Russian offensive or an interest in the operational ground phase of battle then you should consider this book. Its highly recommended.
- Amazon Customer Review
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