This book presents the remarkable personal journals of a German soldier who participated in Operation Barbarossa and subsequent battles on the Eastern Front; revealing the combat experience of the German-Russian War as seldom seen before. Hans Roth was a member of the anti-tank (Panzerjager) battalion; 299th Infantry Division; attached to Sixth Army; as the invasion of Russia began. Writing as events transpired; he recorded the mystery and tension as the Germans deployed on the Soviet frontier in June 1941. Then a firestorm broke loose as the Wehrmacht tore across the front; forging into the primitive vastness of the East. During the Kiev encirclement; Roth's unit was under constant attack as the Soviets desperately tried to break through the German ring. At one point; after the enemy had finally been beaten; a friend serving with the SS led him to a site where he witnessed civilians being massacred en masse (which may well have been Babi Yar). After suffering through a horrible winter against apparently endless Russian reserves; his division went on the offensive again; this time on the northern wing of "Case Gelb;" the German drive toward Stalingrad. In these journals; attacks and counterattacks are described in "you are there" detail; as Roth wrote privately; as if to keep himself sane; knowing that his honest accounts of the horrors in the East could never pass through Wehrmacht censors. When the Soviet counteroffensive of winter 1942 begins; his unit is stationed alongside the Italian 8th Army; and his observations of its collapse; as opposed to the reaction of the German troops sent to stiffen its front; are of special fascination. Roth’s three journals were discovered many years after his disappearance; tucked away in the home of his brother; with whom he was known to have had a deep bond. After his brother’s death; his family discovered them and quickly sent them to Rosel; Roth’s wife. In time; Rosel handed down the journals to Erika; Roth’s only daughter; who had meantime immigrated to America. Hans Roth was doubtlessly working on a fourth journal before he was reported missing in action in July 1944 during the battle known as the Destruction of Army Group Center. Although Roth’s ultimate fate remains unknown; what he did leave behind; now finally revealed; is an incredible firsthand account of the horrific war the Germans waged in Russia.
#935876 in Books 2015-04-19 2015-05-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .50 x 6.00l; .60 #File Name: 1611212456168 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Concise generalized overview that enriched my trip to the sitesBy kerry cowmanWhile I am a heavy reader of Civil War history; this is the first in the "Emerging Civil War" series I have bought and read. The negative reviews correctly note that this short book lacks footnotes and a detailed index. However; this book does not seem to be intended to add new scholarly insights to the battles of Bentonville and Averasboro; or Sherman's Carolina campaign in general. There are already better books for that (including "No Such Army since the days of Julius Caesar"; by the same publisher). Where this book shines is as a brief narrative history of both battles combined with a travel guide. I bought this prior to visiting both fields and the surrounding area. It served its purpose well in orienting me both geographically and historically. If the reader is generally unfamiliar with this aspect of the Carolinas campaign; and planning a visit to the two fields; this brief book is well worth its modest cost.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Biased HistoryBy TexThe "Emerging Civil War" series of books is edited by Chris Mackowski. I've read four of these books so far and they all have a definite bias. According to all of the authors; the South never really won any battles. It was always the North that slaughtered the poor confused Rebels.I suspect that writing reflects Mackowski's own bias. As a historian he should know better than to report his own opinion as facts.5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Unpolished and UnprofessionalBy KJAGSYNOPSISBeing a Civil War buff and having read many books on the war; including a number on the Carolinas Campaign; I purchased this book looking for additional information.The book is not designed to provide the details and depth to satisfy those with more than a casual interest in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville. And for those just wanting to familiarize themselves with the battles by a concise; well organized overview; a convoluted discussion is provided instead; punctuated throughout by various side stories (some with questionable relevance); walking tour directions; and photos of markers; monuments; and of numerous fields and trees representing parts of the battlefields.The narrative concerning the battles is unmistakably written to appeal to Southern pride and the accomplishments of Confederate troops and chivalrous officers (e.g.; Wade Hampton; whose exploits are highlighted at various points) against overwhelming odds in trying to stop the Yankee invaders. A number of quotes by Union troops complimenting their opponents are included to provide emphasis. The book also contains an appendix dedicated to Sherman’s March; which largely focuses on Yankee barbarities; including murder; although no examples of murder are provided. What is not mentioned is that over the course of both the Savannah and Carolina Campaigns there were actually very few credible reports of rape (less than a handful); and even fewer of murder. In one credible case of rape and one of murder in NC; both soldiers were executed by their respective commands. Also not mentioned; the approximately 175 Union troops captured while foraging and found executed by hanging; being shot at close range; or with their throats slit; with some mutilated. There is no mention of the numerous reports by citizens or of the formal complaints by State and local governments in GA; SC; and NC of Confederate cavalry; soldiers; and civilians plundering businesses; government buildings; stores; and homesteads; including valuables; horses; mules; food; etc. A number of Confederate soldiers in the Army of Tennessee brought east to fight Sherman also reported in diaries and letters back home of comrades partaking in looting. And while the book characterizes the Battle of Bentonville (in which the Confederate Army suffered about 600 more casualties than the Union; then retreated) as a “relative Confederate success†and “raised the spirits of some in the ranks;†there is no mention of the mass desertions afterward.In what seems as an afterthought; a story is added in the mix about black troops who courageously defend a bridge in North Carolina; although the troops were not attached to Sherman at the time and the action not associated with the subject battles. The troops were likely under Gen Terry; who moved from the coast to the Goldsboro area; and joined Sherman after the battles. An appendix was also added on the military career of Union General Mower. These two additions appear to lend themselves in an effort to demonstrate some a sense of balance and appealing to a wider audience.This is the first non-fiction Civil War book I’ve read or seen that is without even a simple bibliography of references used. Most books actually go further and include footnotes or endnotes as well. These enable the reader to determine where stories; quotes; figures; etc. originate; enabling the reader to validate or judge the credibility of the material; to read about it in its original context; or to simply learn more about it. In effect the decision to leave out a bibliography and notes shortchanges and disrespects readers interested in additional information and in material relatively free of factual distortions; manipulation; bias; and BS—the hallmarks of responsible and ethical authors serious about the credibility of their work; especially when it is presented in an historical context.GRAMMAR AND READABILITYThe book could have been improved with better editing; organization; and story-telling. I noticed a few grammatical/typographical errors. The narrative is not the easiest to read or comprehend; as it meanders with little emphasis on transitions or information structured in a way that flows well chronologically. The interspersed stories (some of questionable relevance); information on touring; and numerous modern-day photos of markers; monuments; and the battlefields make readability more difficult. The book and readers would have been better served by consolidating all the modern day battlefield-related information within the driving tour appendix and perhaps renaming it; or as a stand-alone appendix; perhaps as a “walking†tour.ILLUSTRATIONSThe battle maps are well drawn; but there is only one map for Averasboro and two for Bentonville; depicting only selected pieces of the battles/battlefields. Other books and sources on the subject depict all the notable parts of the battles; or show the entire battlefield itself with the various engagements depicted across it.There are many period drawings; as well as photographs of key leaders. For some reason; crude drawings of the faces of some leaders are provided; although photographs of them exist and can be found in other books. The modern-day photographs of the battlefields are dark and of poor quality in general.CONCLUSION AND AFTERTHOUGHTSThe book provides helpful sections on a driving tour of the battlefields; an order of battle; and suggested reading. There are also some interesting stories and numerous photographs of markers and monuments. However; I cannot recommend the book for anyone interested in learning about these battles from an objective point of view. The book’s title and introduction are somewhat deceptive; as many key details relating to them are not included; and much of the book actually focuses on the modern day battlefields and side stories; many of which have little or questionable relevance to the battles. Furthermore; the editing; organization; readability; subjective theme and analysis; and the absence of a bibliography are not on par with those books considered polished; professional; and a credible historical resource. I will avoid the Emerging Civil War Series in the future.If you just want to familiarize yourself with the actual battles; there are sources online for free that provide concise; objective overviews that are easier to read and comprehend. Just type the name of the battle into a search engine. These battles are also effectively summarized in the book “Sherman’s March through the Carolinas†(John Barrett). Large-scale; detailed; colored battle maps can be viewed at; and downloaded for free from; the Civil War Trust Website (http://www.civilwar.org/maps/). For those who want a blow-by-blow account of the Averasboro and Bentonville battles along with maps; there are battle study books available written by reputable authors. I found mine at .com.
