Retreat from Moscow

A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Russia, Military, World War II
Cover of the book Retreat from Moscow by David Stahel, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Stahel ISBN: 9780374714253
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: November 19, 2019
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Language: English
Author: David Stahel
ISBN: 9780374714253
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: November 19, 2019
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Language: English

A gripping and authoritative revisionist account of the German Winter Campaign of 1941–1942

Germany's winter campaign of 1941–1942 has commonly been seen as its "first defeat." In Retreat from Moscow, a bold and gripping account of one of the most seminal moments of the Second World War, David Stahel argues that, in fact, it was its first strategic success in the east. Far from a self-evident triumph, the Soviet counteroffensive was a Pyrrhic victory. Though the Red Army managed to push the Wehrmacht back from Moscow, the Germans lost far fewer men (1:6), frustrated their enemy's strategic plan, and emerged in the spring unbroken and poised to recapture the initiative.

Hitler’s new strategic plan called for holding important Russian industrial cities, which the German army would do. And the Soviet plan as of January 1942 aimed for nothing less than the destruction of Army Group Centre, but in fact, not a single German army, corps, or division was ever successfully destroyed. Lacking the professionalism, training, and experience of the Wehrmacht, the Red Army mounted an offensive that attempted to break German lines in countless head-on assaults, which led to far more tactical defeats than victories.

Through journals, memoirs, and wartime correspondence, Stahel takes us into the Wolf's Lair and reveals a German command at war with itself, as generals on the ground battle to maintain order and save their troops while Hitler's capricious directives become all the more irrational. And through soldiers' diaries and letters home, he paints a rich portrait of life and death on the front, where the men of the Ostheer fight against frostbite as much as they do Soviet artillery. Continuing his path breaking series on the Eastern Front, David Stahel's Retreat from Moscow is military history of the highest order.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A gripping and authoritative revisionist account of the German Winter Campaign of 1941–1942

Germany's winter campaign of 1941–1942 has commonly been seen as its "first defeat." In Retreat from Moscow, a bold and gripping account of one of the most seminal moments of the Second World War, David Stahel argues that, in fact, it was its first strategic success in the east. Far from a self-evident triumph, the Soviet counteroffensive was a Pyrrhic victory. Though the Red Army managed to push the Wehrmacht back from Moscow, the Germans lost far fewer men (1:6), frustrated their enemy's strategic plan, and emerged in the spring unbroken and poised to recapture the initiative.

Hitler’s new strategic plan called for holding important Russian industrial cities, which the German army would do. And the Soviet plan as of January 1942 aimed for nothing less than the destruction of Army Group Centre, but in fact, not a single German army, corps, or division was ever successfully destroyed. Lacking the professionalism, training, and experience of the Wehrmacht, the Red Army mounted an offensive that attempted to break German lines in countless head-on assaults, which led to far more tactical defeats than victories.

Through journals, memoirs, and wartime correspondence, Stahel takes us into the Wolf's Lair and reveals a German command at war with itself, as generals on the ground battle to maintain order and save their troops while Hitler's capricious directives become all the more irrational. And through soldiers' diaries and letters home, he paints a rich portrait of life and death on the front, where the men of the Ostheer fight against frostbite as much as they do Soviet artillery. Continuing his path breaking series on the Eastern Front, David Stahel's Retreat from Moscow is military history of the highest order.

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Gulf Music by David Stahel
Cover of the book Tide Running by David Stahel
Cover of the book Izzy Barr, Running Star by David Stahel
Cover of the book The Unspeakable by David Stahel
Cover of the book Sea of Gray by David Stahel
Cover of the book Vroom! by David Stahel
Cover of the book Rethinking Thin by David Stahel
Cover of the book The Last Years of the Monroe Doctrine by David Stahel
Cover of the book Supper of the Lamb by David Stahel
Cover of the book Chill Wind by David Stahel
Cover of the book Justice by David Stahel
Cover of the book I Am Not Joey Pigza by David Stahel
Cover of the book The Sly Company of People Who Care by David Stahel
Cover of the book Harlem Hustle by David Stahel
Cover of the book Why Did You Have to Get a Divorce? And When Can I Get a Hamster? by David Stahel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy