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Loading... The Waffen SS Ardennes Offensive: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War)by Ian Baxter
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In late 1944 under extreme pressure on both the Eastern and Western fronts, Hitler realized he needed to force the Allies into negotiating a truce thereby saving Germany from total defeat. Using the Christmas period to enhance the vital element of surprise, he ordered a devastating attack through the rugged and mountainous Ardenne region with the key Allied port of Antwerp as the objective. This book, with its extensive text and rare and unpublished photographs with detailed captions, tells the story of the Waffen-SS offensive, known as Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine). These formidable SS armored units with supporting Wehrmacht divisions initially achieved dramatic success making full use of the harsh winter conditions and terrain. Gradually the Allies regained the upper hand on the attackers who were increasingly suffering from lack of reinforcements and resupplies. After defeat at the pivotal battle of Bastonge, remaining Waffen-SS units withdrew and were transferred back to the Eastern Front. As described in this classic Images of War book, the Fuhrer's gamble so nearly paid off and the ruthless fighting spirit of the elite Waffen-SS divisions caused the Allied command serious concern. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.54219348History and Geography Europe Europe 1918- Military History Of World War II Campaigns and battles by theatre European theatreLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (5)
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Wikipedia in English
1
1944 was not a particularly good year for the German occupation forces across Europe, whether in the east or west. The Russians were making great strides in the east pushing back the German Army. 6th June 1944, the allies in the west joined the party, with the Normandy landings and began pushing the Germans back towards Berlin.
The Ardennes Offensive began in winter 1944 and finished in early 1945, and it was the German’s last offensive, their attempt to push the American armies back towards France. Using the Christmas period as an opportunity to surprise the Americans Hitler ordered the offensive in the vain hope to shore the German front and a much-needed boost in morale.
Ian Baxter has once again managed to find rare and unpublished pictures with extensive explanations within the text. The pictures and text record the initial successes that the Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine) had, pushing the American back by using the full harsh winter conditions to their full effect. The Allies gradually regained the upper hand, especially as they were being resupplied and had reequipped, along with reinforcements of soldiers. The pivotal defeat at the battle of Bastogne, meant the Waffen-SS were withdrawn and ended up on the eastern front.
The book contains many fine pictures from the German side with not only pictures of soldiers and their officers, but we can also see the equipment that they were using. Also, the pictures of the snow give an impression of how harsh the weather was during the Christmas period of 1944. Baxter also in the appendices records all the active German units that took part in the offensive.
This is once again a classic book by Ian Baxter and depicts the Waffen-SS in the Last Chance Saloon. (