Extremely rare (possibly the only) book-length account of a Soviet penal unit in World War II Gritty; intense style conveys the brutality of war on the Eastern Front Composed of convicts--soldiers who conducted "unauthorized retreats;" former Soviet POWs deemed untrustworthy; and Gulag prisoners--the Red Army's penal units received the most difficult; dangerous assignments; such as breaking through the enemy's defenses. So punishing was life in these units that officers in regular formations threatened to send recalcitrant troops to penal battalions. Alexander Pyl'cyn led his penal unit through the Soviets' massive offensive in the summer of 1944; the Vistula-Oder operation into eastern Germany; and the bitter assault on Berlin in 1945. He survived the war; but 80 percent of his men did not.
#2320756 in Books Stackpole Books 1993-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.38 x 6.54 x 9.32l; #File Name: 0811717607400 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Reference Book!By BookwormFor anyone that is studying the career of Maj. General Jeb Stuart and the Confederate Cavalry; this is an important book. Mr. Trout has done a tremendous amount of research on the men of Stuart's command. Each soldier and officer documented has their own biographical section; with a very good analysis of their role in Stuart's cavalry. This is my kind of book- I love details! Each section on an individual is a compilation of a life; and in most cases these men have almost been forgotten by time. They say that when a person is remembered; they live again; and Mr. Trout has done a marvelous job of allowing us to read and learn about the lives of men who gave their very best for what they believed in. A very readable and enjoyable book.I only have one tiny complaint- the photographic images of the men that are used are very small; cut into oval thumbnails. I would have loved to have seen just a bit larger images.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good; solid mini biographies of the staff officers that ...By SEHGood; solid mini biographies of the staff officers that surrounded Major-General JEB Stuart. I expected more. The writing is flat and stiff but in some cases; the only record available of some of the men found serving the single most important cavalryman of the Southern cause. That makes it a worthy source. I would not willing seek out to read anything more by this author.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy john kauffmannGreat
