In his previous volume, Robert Michulec examined the role of 'Das
Reich' in the invasion of France. This
latest work provides an invaluable partner as it looks at the participation of
'Das Reich', now established fully as a Waffen-SS division, on the Eastern
Front. The volume commences with a description of the 'Das Reich' Division as it
took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union from 22nd June 1941 onwards. What followed
was a stunning series of victories that swept 'Das Reich' and other German units
across the vast Russian steppes to the very gates of Moscow. However,
stiffening Soviet resistance and frigid winter conditions brought the momentum
of the assault to a grinding and deadly halt. After refitting in
France, the division returned
to the Eastern Front and participated in combat in places like Kharkov and in the
momentous Battle of Kursk in July 1943. After this, 'Das Reich' was involved in
the bitter retreat back to the borders of the Fatherland, including episodes
such as the effort to relieve the Korsun Pocket, as well as combat in
Hungary.
The book documents the waxing and waning fortunes of 'Das Reich' in a
rich collection of black and white photographs. Pictures show troops in the
lead-up to the invasion of Russia, as well as in combat in the
vast Soviet interior. These photos show troops, equipment and vehicles in all
sorts of conditions from the summer dust to autumn mud and winter snow. For
example, motorcycles, cars, trucks, antitank weapons and tanks all find a place
between the covers. In this book from Concord Publications' Warrior series, the
fighting man of 'Das Reich' naturally remains the focus, and it gives some
indication of the kind of hardships he endured on the Eastern Front.
In the centre of the book, the artist Dmitriy Zgonnik displays four
color plates showing typical soldiers resplendent in their combat uniforms and
wielding a range of weapons. Throughout the book, the author has included
detailed captions to keep readers informed about specific characteristics of
'Das Reich', its equipment and organization. This is a fitting second volume
about this famous German division, and it traces in some illustrated detail its
exploits on the Eastern Front.
