Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 19..., Robert A. Forczyk
Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 19..., Robert A. Forczyk
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Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1942
Schwerpunkt

Author: Robert A. Forczyk

Narrator: P.J. Ochlan

Unabridged: 16 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/21/2023


Synopsis

The German panzer armies that swept into the Soviet Union in 1941 were an undefeated force that had honed their skill in combined arms warfare to a fine edge. The Germans focused their panzers and tactical air support at points on the battlefield defined as Schwerpunkt—main effort—to smash through any defensive line and then advance to envelope their adversaries.

Initially, these methods worked well in the early days of Operation Barbarossa and the tank forces of the Red Army suffered defeat after defeat. Although badly mauled in the opening battles, the Red Army's tank forces did not succumb to the German armored onslaught and German planning and logistical deficiencies led to over-extension and failure in 1941. In the second year of the invasion, the Germans directed their Schwerpunkt toward the Volga and the Caucasus and again achieved some degree of success, but the Red Army had grown much stronger and by November 1942, the Soviets were able to turn the tables at Stalingrad.

Robert Forczyk's incisive study offers fresh insight into how the two most powerful mechanized armies of WWII developed their tactics and weaponry during the early years of the Russo-German War. He uses German, Russian, and English sources to provide the first comprehensive overview and analysis of armored warfare from the German and Soviet perspectives.

About Robert A. Forczyk

Robert A. Forczyk has authored many books, including Case White, Case Red, We March Against England, Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 1943-1945: Red Steamroller, Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1942: Schwerpunkt, and Where the Iron Crosses Grow.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Boudewijn on May 24, 2019

A highly readable account of the armour warfare on the Eastern Front during the years 1941-1942. The author gives a good overview of the tactics used, the errors made and the reason why the war progressed as it progressed. The author served in tanks himself, and this is shown throughout the book. Hi......more

Goodreads review by Michael on November 30, 2016

Forcyzk writes a relatively readable account of the first two years of Eastern Front, bulwarked by extensive documentary research and his own experience as an American tanker. There's a lot of the boring details of the form "Kampfgruppe Raus advanced 10 km towards Plotsk until stopped by blocking de......more

Goodreads review by Ben on January 09, 2023

Exactly what it says, a great book covering tank tactics, operational planning and maneuver warfare on the Eastern Front from 41-42. An insightful book offering great information related to difficulties suffered by the Red Army and explanations for early Wehrmacht success.......more

Goodreads review by Peter C Lyon on April 05, 2018

I was psyched to read Forczyk after finishing "We March Against England." The research and broad insights in this one are stellar, and it contains fascinating technical details about tank production on both the German and Russian sides. That said, a paucity of maps seriously weakens this book and as......more

Goodreads review by Michał on June 07, 2024

In Operation Barbarossa, Hitler used 17 armored divisions and 3,160 tanks. Additionally, two self-propelled battalions of Pz.Abt.40 and Pz.Abt tanks were developed in Finalndi. 211 with 124 tanks, including 20 PzKpfw III. Panzer-Department zur Sonderbedarf 40 (Panzer-abteilung z.b.V. 40), which trans......more