The Battle of Halbe, 1945: Eyewitness Accounts from Hell's Cauldron [Hardcover]

In April 1945, German troops withdrawing from the Seelow Heights were encircled by the Soviet Army near the small town of Halbe, south-east of Berlin. Rather than surrender, their orders were to attempt to break out, westward, and join up with the German 12th Army. A brutal battle ensued, with an estimated 30,000 German and 20,000 Russian soldiers killed, along with thousands of civilians.This collection of first-hand accounts tells the story of the battle and its aftermath from the German perspective. It is an eclectic mix, containing the recollections of ordinary soldiers, SS-men and men of the Panzer Divisions, as well as civilians caught up in the battle as they attempted to flee ahead of the advancing armies. It brings to life the grim realities of this one-sided engagement, revealing the brutal vengeance of the Soviets and the desperation to escape the slaughter.Translated into English for the first time, this is an important insight into this devastating and little-known aspect of World War II history.Translated into English for the first time, this is an important insight into this devastating and little-known aspect of World War II history.A rare insight into the German 9th Armys desperate retreat from the Halbe PocketAn important study of the last great encirclement battle of the European WarDraws on numerous first-hand accounts, translated into English for the first timeReveals details of his little-known battle for non-German audiencesIncludes accounts from the thousands of civilians caught up in the battleExposes the enormous human cost of the battle ...[provides] exceptional firsthand accounts of desperation. ...provides important and informative insights into this devastating and little-known aspect of World War II history. GB