Publisher Description

'Operation Barbarossa' was the largest military campaign in history. Springing from Hitler's fanatical desire to conquer the Soviet territories, defeat Bolshevism and create 'Lebensraum' for the German people, it pitted two diametrically opposed armed forces against one another. The invasion began with 4.5 million troops attacking 2.3 million defenders. On one side was the Wehrmacht, without any doubt the world's most advanced military force. On the other were the Soviet armed forces, downtrodden, humiliated, decapitated and terrorised by an autocratic and crude dictator with no military education whatsoever. Based on decades of research work in both German and Russian archives, as well as interviews with a large number of key figures and veterans, Operation Barbarossa brings our knowledge on the war on the Eastern Front several big steps forward. It reveals and dispels many myths and misconceptions including: the myth of mass surrenders by Soviet soldiers; the myth about the vast differences in troop casualties between the two sides; the myth of the Soviet partisans and the myth that it was the Arctic cold that halted the German offensive. It also does not shy away from difficult truths such as the true nature of Finland's participation in Operation Barbarossa, and the massive scale of rapes committed by German troops. Illustrated with over 250 photos, many never previously published, and several clear and detailed maps, this is an objective, balanced account, published in time for the 75th anniversary of the start of Operation Barbarossa on 22nd June 2016. Christer Bergstrom has once again produced what will be the definitive account of this monumental campaign. SELLING POINTS: . Published for the 75th anniversary of the start of the campaign, 22nd June. . The largest military campaign in history gets the Christer Bergstrom treatment with lots of unpublished and rare images. REVIEWS: "Even readers with a great knowledge on the subject will have much to learn from this book. Bergstrom presents several totally new aspects. For anyone who wants to understand Operation Barbarossa from the perspective of both sides, this is a must-have book." Niclas Sennerteg, military historian and author of several books on World War II Illustrated throughout

Author Biography

Christer Bergström has published 23 books on World War II. He specialises on World War Two and in the past has focussed on the Eastern Front. Previous bestsellers "The Ardennes" and "Battle of Britain" sold over 3,000 copies within six months.

Table of Contents

Maps Operation Barbarossa, June - December 1941 Offensive in the Center, June - September 1941 Offensive in the North, June - November 1941 Offensive in the South, June - December 1941 The Finnish front Operation Typhoon The Soviet counter-offensive Glossary and guide to abbreviations Rank equivalency Time line Preface Brandenburgers in the Night 1. Hitler against Stalin 2. Lebensraum 3. The Wehrmacht versus the Red Army 4. Towards the abyss 5. Strike at dawn 6. The first battles of annihilation 7. Tank battles in the North 8. The advance towards Kiev 9. The advance towards Moscow 10. The Blitzkrieg is halted 11. Annihilation in the Ukraine 12. Leningrad holds out 13. The Finnish front 14. The final attempt against Leningrad 15. Typhoon against Moscow 16. The race for "the Soviet Ruhr area" 17. The battle of the Crimea 18. The Red Army strikes back Results and Conclusions I. The military scene II. The war of annihilation Appendix 1. Order of battle on 22 June 1941 2. German and Soviet unit structures in June 1941 3. Tanks in Operation Barbarossa 4. Aircraft in Operation Barbarossa 5. Loss tables Sources Chapter notes Index

Review

Bergstrom offers far more verifiable facts about far more facets of the war. In particular, he quotes specific numbers of tanks, troops, casualties, aircraft, victories, losses, and more…Operation Barbarossa 1941: Hitler against Stalin is one of the results of that progress in scholarship, bringing better accuracy, balance, and clarity to the old story. * Stone Books *
This is a very impressive piece of work, that gives us a much more convincing account of Operation Barbarossa, with convincing reasons for both the German successes and their eventual failure. * History of War 24/07/2019 *
Barbarossa was a huge and complex operation launched in the summer of 1941. Using a wealth of photographs and maps Chrster Bergstrom delivers an infromative and easy to follow account of the titanic and desperate struggle that ensued. 5 stars * Soldier Magazine *
It is easy enough for a first-time student of the eastern front, but thoughtful enough for those who have done extensive reading. Bergstrom is better at posing important questions than he is at answering them. I found myself thinking this book is the beginning of several debates, not the end. * Armor Modeling and Preservation Society *
This book form Christer Bergstrom is illustrated with over 250 photographs, many of which have never been published, and is awash with maps and illustrations. Operation Barbarossa 1941: Hitler Against Stalin is a balanced and objective account that marks the 75th anniversary. * Warfare *
The text with all of its tons of details of the day to day operations and human involvement is without a doubt the best covering of this campaign in print. * A Wargamer's Needful Things *
Christer Bergström has once again produced what will be the definitive account of this monumental campaign. * Books Monthly *

Review Quote

"This is a very impressive piece of work, that gives us a much more convincing account of Operation Barbarossa, with convincing reasons for both the German successes and their eventual failure."

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