Zima na východní frontě - Armády nacistického Německa v zimních měsících 1941-1945 – Baxter Ian (2022)

Hitler's shocking decision to invade the Soviet Union in June 1941 ultimately proved to be a turning point in the entire Second World War. After initial victories, the Germans advanced to Moscow, but following the Russian counteroffensive at the turn of 1941 and 1942, the tide began to turn. The infamous Russian winter undoubtedly played an important role in this, as the Nazi German army was not adequately prepared for it. During the first winter on Russian soil, the Germans lacked the necessary equipment and resorted to improvisation. In 1942, therefore, the German command compiled a 'Winter Warfare Manual' intended to provide soldiers with the necessary instructions on how to fight in harsh winter conditions in snow and frost, how to build shelters, and how to manage logistics. The methodical Germans eventually adapted to the climatic conditions to some extent, but they still had to come to terms with the fact that they faced a very resilient and numerically superior opponent, who ultimately proved to be beyond their capabilities. The indescribable conditions of military operations in winter are vividly illustrated in the book through unique images from the collection of period war photographs by Ian Baxter, a leading expert on German military history of the 20th century.