BLOODY STREETS: REVISED AND EXTENDED EDITION
Aaron Stephan Hamilton
Publisher: Helion and Company • ISBN: 978-1912866137 Web: helion.co.uk • Hardback: (accompanying map-volume in softback) 511 pages. 64 pages of maps • RRP: £ 59.95
In April 1945, the Red Army launched its final offensive aiming to capture Berlin in five days. After only four days, the Soviets had smashed German defences along the Seelow Heights, and after another four days the lead elements of the Red Army had reached Berlin. Eight days later, after some of the bloodiest street fighting of the Second World War, the capital of the ‘Third Reich’ had fallen.
The backbone of Berlin's defence was the German LVI Panzer Corps. Newly formed and understrength, it bore the brunt of the Soviet attack along the Seelow Heights by the 5th Shock, 8th Guards, 1st and 2nd Guards Tank Armies. It finally ended up in the defence of Berlin, against the weight of seven separate Soviet armies from two competing Soviet Fronts. It was supported by Volkssturm, Hitler Youth, and SS - as well as smaller ‘alarm’ formations of foreign volunteers and locally raised units.
The Battle of Berlin precipitated the death of Adolf Hitler and fall of the Third Reich – but at a high cost. Soviet operational daily casualty rates were among the highest of the war. The equivalent of an entire Soviet Tank Army bled out on the streets of Berlin. ‘Bloody Streets’, a classic and much sought after account of the ‘Battle of Berlin’, is now available in this revised second edition. Using previously unpublished German, Russian, and Allied first person accounts, as well as primary sources, photographs and aerial imagery, it brings to life the largest urban assault in history. All aspects of the battle are covered, with new insights into how it was planned and executed.
This lavishly illustrated second edition, now in two volumes - the second volume containing high quality maps and aerial photos – uniquely presents a day-by-day account of fighting throughout the city's ruins in detail. The experiences of German and Soviet troops are told through harrowing first person accounts, painting a powerful picture of loody and brutal urban combat.
A most excellent title that can only be highly recommended. Reviewed by Peter Lockwood
Illustrations ✔ . References/notes ✔ . Appendices ✔ . Index ✔ .