The Battle of Halbe, 1945: Eyewitness Accounts from Hell's Cauldron

In April 1945, German troops were encircled by the Soviet Army near Halbe, Germany. Rather than surrender, they attempted to break out and join the German 12th Army. A brutal battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of 30,000 German and 20,000 Russian soldiers and thousands of civilians. This collection of first-hand accounts provides insight into the battle and its aftermath from the German perspective, revealing the brutal vengeance of the Soviets and the desperation to escape the slaughter.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2022
Publisher: Greenhill Books

In April 1945, as German troops withdrew from the Seelow Heights near Berlin, they found themselves encircled by the Soviet Army near the small town of Halbe, southeast of the city. Rather than surrender, their orders were to attempt a westward breakout and join up with the German 12th Army. What followed was a brutal battle, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 30,000 German and 20,000 Russian soldiers, along with thousands of civilians. This collection of first-hand accounts, translated into English for the first time, tells the story of the battle and its aftermath from the German perspective. It encompasses the recollections of ordinary soldiers, SS-men, and men of the Panzer Divisions, as well as civilians caught up in the chaos as they sought to flee the advancing armies. The accounts vividly portray the grim realities of this one-sided engagement, revealing the brutal vengeance of the Soviets and the desperation to escape the slaughter. This important insight into World War II history sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the conflict, providing a deeper understanding of the human cost and the resilience of those who faced unimaginable hardships.

Weight: 616g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784387112