The Battle for Leningrad, 1941-1944 (Modern War Studies) | David M. Glantz

The Battle for Leningrad, 1941-1944 (Modern War Studies) | David M. Glantz | best book on this conflict written

books:

The Battle for Len...

	The Battle for Leningrad, 1941-1944 (Modern War Studies) David M. Glantz University Press of Kansas, 2002 - 704 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

The German seige and Soviet defense of Leningrad in World War II was an epic struggle in an epic war, a drama of heroism and human misery unmatched in the annals of modern warfare. This work provides a military history of the conflict waged beyond the city's borders. One of the first major Soviet cities threatened by the German Blitzkrieg, Leningrad was as much a symbolic target as it was a strategic one for Adolf Hitler, who fully expected the birthplace of the Russian Revolution to be reduced to rubble quickly and with ease. The Red Army's ferocious defense of the city, however, made that impossible. The text covers the full story of how these two military giants bludgeoned each other for nearly three years with a relentless barrage of offensives and counter-offensives designed to crush one another, in horrendous weather and a harsh terrain and with staggering loss of life on both sides. It shows how battles and campaigns were conceived, engaged and resolved - including a half dozen or more "forgotten battles" that took place during the blockade.

for more information click here

Highly detailed analysis

As with most of the David Glantz's books this is a highly detailed analysis of the situation Leningrad found itself in throughout the Second World War on the Eastern Front. At times day by day accounts of unit movements and operations will make it a bit difficult to follow what was happening but it shouldn't take away from the fact that so much was going on from 1941 when the siege of the city began to 1944 when it was finally broken. Interestingly enough on my last visit to Russia (summer of 2005) I was in St. Petersburg and our guide told us that Stalin did not give any help to the city rather letting them hold on with the forces available on hand. Rather odd to think this is true when taking account of the 'Road of Life' over Lake Ladoga and the amount of reinforcements that were being brought in. This book will put that myth to rest. There were countless attempts to relieve the city and keep the Germans pinned, losses were high on both sides and to a large degree much of the front was static warfare. This book is a dense study of practically each and every operation undertaken by the Red Army and the results which they brought. It is given from the Soviet point of view as are all Glantz books but that shouldn't take away from the fact that it is highly factual with many sources including archival to back up everything that is presented. A good companion to this book might be "Hitler's Spanish Legion" which served in the region this book is focused on, that book will the reader a greater understanding of what was happening with individual soldiers on the front line from the German side (although these are Spanish soldiers and the book is somewhat biased for the German side, so a nice rounding out effect to Glantz's work). The reader will understand how devastating round the clock attacks were for the German Army and how eventually the enemy was beaten (to a degree by attrition and to a degree by other means).

for more information click here

best book on this conflict written

This book is absolutely a treasure trove of info. Everything, EVERYTHING on all aspects of this campaign, militarily, are here. The wealth of knowledge gleaned from a David Glantz book is always welcome, but in Leningrad it reaches new highs. This is certainly not for the beginner or for someone interested in flowery prose, but for sheer detail there is no other book on the Battle of Leningrad that comes within 100 miles of this. It was nice too, and a bit surprising, to see Glantz delve into the aspects of the siege on the general population of Leningrad and actually print civilian survivor's tales. What went on in Leningrad is without equal as far as sieges go. Two million dead in just three years, much of the inner city in ruins, starvation and disease rampant in an ill prepared population, callousness towards the population from both Hitler and Stalin. This is an absolute must read for students of the battle. Nothing else even comes close. Thanks again to David Glantz on another stupendous work, and here's hoping that his upcoming book on Stalingrad comes out soon. That will be eagerly anticipated indeed. Great work David Glantz!

for more information click here

Detailed, strategic level study of the fighting between the Soviets and Army Group North around Leningrad

This is a detailed account of the offensive and defensive battles fought between Army Group North and several Soviet armies from June 22nd, 1941 until mid-1944. In spite of the title, this is really a book about the fighting between the Soviets and AGN, not just a narrow discusion of the fighting around Leningrad, or of the siege of Leningrad. Glantz starts with a brief introduction into the history of Leningrad, then traces the fighting from Barbarossa in 1941 until the retreat of AGN to the Panther line (more or less the Baltic states) in mid-1944. This is a strategic level overview primarily at the corps/army level. There are some diversions into issues like logistics, the horrors of the siege of Leningrad on the population (particularly during the first brutal winter), etc., but 90% of the book describes (in great detail) the high level military operations of both combatants.

There are several points I would like to make about this book that may be of interest to potential buyers/readers. First, this is a dense book, definitely not a light read. Second, the interested reader can see how that military capabilities of the Soviets progressed throughout the war. The large (and on paper powerful) Soviet army of 1941 was smashed by the Germans in 1941, fought them to a standstill in '42 and '43, then thrashed them in '44. Third, it is also interesting to see how effective the Wehrmacht was on defense in '43 and (to a lesser degree) in '44. Mountains have been written about the efficiency of the German war machine, blitzkrieg, etc., but I was impressed at how efficiently the Germans used their central position to blunt one Soviet offensive after another by rapidly moving troops around. Finally, when one thinks of the Eastern front, the common image is that of large tank battles. I was surprised at how few tanks were engaged on either side in and around Leningrad, particularly by the Wehrmacht later in the war. This may well have been due in part to the swampy terrain, but this was largely a war of the infantryman and artillerist.

The reason that I give this massive work only four stars is that there are several significant drawbacks. First, like everything Glantz writes, this is clearly pro-Soviet. It is written from the Soviet perspective and describes the successes and viscisitudes largely from the Soviet point of view. Such a blatant lack of balance is reminiscent of the pre-WWII historians (I couldn't stop thinking about Charles Oman and his pro-British/hagiography of Wellington `History of the Peninsular War' while reading this book). For example, virtually every Soviet division and brigade commander is mentioned by named, German divisions are only mentioned by number. Second, the eighteen maps included in this volume are woefully insufficient. I really like what Glantz did in his later work on Operation Mars (`Zhukov's Greatest Defeat'). In that volume, there were maps that zoomed in on the main action under discussion, with a small window showing where on the larger battlefield the zoomed in piece was located. I constantly found myself turning back to maps several chapters previous to try to find out what was happening where.

Third, I think that there are several topics that Glantz chose not to cover that could have made this work a masterpiece (albeit at the price of adding several hundred pages - perhaps better left for another book!). In particular, there was almost no analysis of why some of the Soviet attacks succeeded and some failed. Glantz often quotes various Soviet after-action reports, but the reasons for failure are always the same (bad weather, difficult terrain, poor coordination, etc.). Glantz offers no insight or analysis of his own, just the facts. In particular, it was not entirely clear to me after reading this book why the Soviet offensive in January 1944 (and later) was successful and the previous ones were not. The Germans had been outnumbered (and had lost the initiative in the north) for more than a year, and Army Group North really hadn't had any significant mobile, armoured reserves since 1941. The entire book is written at the strategic level, but Glantz could have chosen a few specific instances for study at the operational (i.e. battalion/regimental) level to demonstrate how the Soviet army was evolving. Finally, there is very little discussion of the Finns. They appear at the beginning as Leningrad is being surrounded and at the end as the Soviet knock them out of the war, but then disappear for over 400 pages. There may not have been much action north of Leningrad during most of this period, but the simple fact of Finnish involvement played a crucial role during the siege.

Finally, Glantz has done a great job conveying the sense of the magnitude of the fighting on the Eastern Front. Most Americans view WWII through the eyes of D-Day and authors like Stephen Ambrose. The AGN sector was a relatively minor front for most of the war, but even here, you will get a sense of the massive and catastrophic nature of the fighting. Tens or hundreds of thousands killed or wounded in one battle (on both sides!), entire corps and armies routinely surrounded and anihilated.

Overall, this is a dense, scholarly book and probably will not be worthwhile to those who only have a passing interest in the subject. For the serious student, however, this is a must have. I've written at length about what I feel this book is lacking, but for the serious student of the war, don't let this turn you off. The fifth battle of Siniavino may not be as famous as Kursk or Stalingrad, but the events around Leningrad were as important to the war as these epic battles. This is an interesting, well-written, and informative book.

for more information click here

Superb. I enjoyed every bit of it.

Glantz is an expert in Soviet experience of World WarII.This book focusses on Soviet defence of Leningrad ,attempts to defeat German siege.I feel this dimension of war on the Eastern Front has been ignored by Historians.However author's latest study is bound to stimulate interest on this neglected ,long-forgotten theatre of war.

I have to say scale and scope of operations which unfolded on Leningrad axis of eastern front is nothing but stupendous,awesome.Here we see war waged in all its ferocity,ruthlessness.Leningrad,St.Peterburg,Petrograd is the soul of Russia . This magnificent city straddling on the banks of river Neva,founded by Peter the Great, was also cradle of Bolshevik revolution.No Russian with an iota of honour and self respect could hope to see this trampled upon by an alien power.

Soviet miscalculations prelude to German invasion transformed the city within 15 days into a battle zone.Tenacity ,sacrifice of Red Army frustrated German drive to sieze Leningrad. Violent counter-attacks launched by Vatutin at Solt Sy,Staraia Russa in July,August 1941;Zhukov at Krasno selo and Mga in August,September 1941 slowed down German advance. This gave sufficent time to erect fresh defences on the approaches to the city.

However few things stand out.I feel at a critical time when struggle was fast working toward climax Hitler denuded Von Leeb cream of his Panzer Army and switched it toward Moscow axis.In war always form 'strongpoints' as German military philiospher Clausewitz has said.German dictator strove to attain three different objectives at one time.Consequently, he dissipated Wehrmacht's striking power by spreading it across this immense front. Another reason Nazi leader fearing heavy casualties shrank from launching a direct assault on the city.

Succesful Soviet defence of Leningrad was also helped Finns whose attack lacked vigor.Finns undoubtedly were opportunistic.They were prepared to help German cause only to the extent of retrieving territory lost during the winter war against the Russians.So German effort to effect a junction with Finns at Tikhvin failed.

Now brutal phase of war began.Stalin's exhortations,threats Red Army during winter,spring summer of 1942,43 subjected besieging Germans to a wave of unremitting assaults as Russians strove to break the siege at all costs.Leningrad and Volkhov fronts commanded by Govorov,Meretskov assailed relentlessly . Russians launched converging blows from multiple axes.Feature of these attacks was lavish use of material and manpower and a contemptous disregard for life.To be fair the situation inside the city was grim ;people started dying due to malnutrition and hunger.So desperate situation called for desperate remedies.Nazis were implacable foes.

Most of Russian offensives were catastrophic failures. Still they kept on coming. I think no other army in the world can fight like this.In those dark days Red army displayed tremendous reslience. I also have to admire fighting qualities of German soldiers. Despite defeats Wehrmacht remained a formidable fighting machine.Ultimately Red Army triumphed.Ground comunications were established with Leningrad on winter of 1943 and subsequent winter Germans were completely evicted from the areas adjoining to the city.Wehrmacht began its retreat to the Baltic coast.
For the Russians the victory came at a stiff price. More than 2 million soldiers perished.

This book based on archival material recently de classified by Russian Ministry of Defence must be deemed as most accurate,up-to-date, impartial study on struggle for Leningrad.Author has laboured a lot.Enormous amount of research has gone into its production.In the process Glantz has shed light on defeats suffered by Red Army which Soviet regime cleverly managed to conceal. For instance,Operation Polar Star Marshal Zhukov's ambitious attempt to defeat German Army Group North and totally break Leningrad siege on Feb 1943 which ended in a fiasco.Zhukov too does not say anything about it in his Memoirs: Reminiscences and Reflections.

Finally author's focus exclusively on combat ,he does not say much about individual experiences of Leningraders who withstood German siege.

A lay man will not find this book interesting.

for more information click here

A Trailblazing Book, but not the Final Word

Since 1969, the only major book available in English on the siege of Leningrad during the Second World War was Harrison Salisbury's The 900 Days, which mostly focused on the effects of starvation within the city. Salisbury's book was the first to benefit from a lifting of some the wartime Soviet censorship, but it provided only the barest details on the actual military operations around Leningrad. It was not until 2002, when David M Glantz wrote The Battle for Leningrad 1941-1944, that a decent military history of the siege of Leningrad was available in English. As usual in his prodigious trail-blazing research on the Eastern Front, Glantz relies upon Soviet records, orders and post-war studies to compile an account of Soviet military operations on this front. Much of this information has not been available in English before, which makes this an invaluable reference source in itself. However, the book is relatively weak whenever it covers the German side of the campaign and the author's narrative is undermined by a rather pedestrian writing style and a failure to analyze outcomes. Nor is the book comprehensive - although it may appear so to superficial readers - since there is virtually no detail on `quiet' periods of the siege such as November-December 1942, 2 April to 22 July 1943 or November-December 1943. Indeed, there are a number of significant combat actions (often German counterattacks) that occurred around Leningrad that are either skimmed over or omitted altogether. Nor does Glantz cover the air battles or naval operations around Leningrad in any kind of detail. In sum, this book opened the door and exposed a great deal that was previously unknown in the West, but it is only a start in the right direction.

The Battle for Leningrad 1941-1944 consists of three parts (Barbarossa, Blockade and Victory), comprising 13 sequential chapters. The book also has 18 maps (some of which depict down to brigade/division level but others just show armies), five tables (mostly on Soviet losses) and seven appendices, including detailed orders of battle for both sides. The book is very well researched and extensively footnoted, but after reading this book three times now, I've found that there are a number of factual errors and omissions, both on the German and Soviet side. For example, on page 83 Glantz writes that Zhukov's First Siniavino Offensive in 1941 forced the Germans to transfer the 72nd Infantry Division from Western Europe but this unit was actually serving with the 11th Army in the Crimea. On page 75, he writes that Zhukov arrived in Leningrad on 9 September - but it was actually 13 September (which has impact on assessing Zhukov's role in this critical phase of the battle). Somehow, the author also managed to miss the presence of the German III Luftwaffe Field Corps, which served on the Leningrad Front for a year in 1942-43. Sometimes the author also accepts Soviet war-time claims without comment. On page 129, he identifies Leningrad as "one of the most important centers for weapons production in the Soviet Union" but aside from KV-1 tanks and warships, no other major weapons were built there (no aircraft or artillery). On page 159. he includes a ludicrous Soviet claim that "the enemy's 8th Motorized Regiment was destroyed" without comment, even though the Red Army never destroyed a complete German unit during the entire siege.

Throughout much of the book, the Finns are ignored, until the very end, when the author devotes a full chapter to the Soviet Karelian offensive in 1944. This chapter was almost impossible to read because the single map displayed very few of the towns and actions described and the narrative just became choked with details that couldn't be followed. Oftentimes, the author relies on dubious German sources such as Paul Carrell's volumes, which are dated and biased. Some important tactical aspects of the siege, such as the Nevskaya Dubrovka bridgehead or the Kirishi Salient (`Verdun of the Volkhov') are not treated in sufficient detail, given the number of casualties that occurred in these localities. Soviet naval gunfire support also played a larger role in the siege than this book would suggest.

The author's appraisal of Zhukov's sporadic appearances on the Leningrad Front is also difficult to pin down. On the one hand, he writes that "Zhukov's iron will had produced a `Miracle on the Neva' but he never really explains how he got this conclusion and his narrative clearly show that others played equally significant roles in saving the city. He also deals with Stalin's role in relieving the siege, including the endless stream of interfering cronies from Moscow. Glantz does a great service to Western audiences in highlighting the contributions of Meretskov - previously almost unknown in the West - who played the critical role in breaking the siege. As Glantz notes, due to the rough terrain around Leningrad, Meretskov could not rely upon the traditional swarms of T-34s that other front's used but instead, had to leverage his artillery and engineers to break through the tough German defenses.

It is clear after reading through this book that the fight for the Siniavino Heights east of Leningrad, going on for over a year, was one of the great battles of attrition of the Second World War but which is virtually unknown in the West. The author provides a great amount of details about this struggle but then devotes relatively little effort to analyzing Soviet tactics or how they finally managed to achieve a breakthrough. Indeed, it is as if the author was a lumberjack blazing a path through virgin forest, but leaving it for those who follow him to put the fallen timbers to best use. Overall, this book is a tremendous piece of road-breaking research but in itself, not the final word.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2

products you might be interested in