The author also was trying to describe "how it felt", and I thought her effort paled in comparison to this one (though I see its author was recruited for a blurb on the back jacket).
But I liked this better as I went along. Quick, easy read; interesting, all in all.
The Russian soldier must have had the most difficult experience of the WWII combatants (recognizing this is difficult, and probably just plain wrong, to try to rank). But think about it. The country came through the czarist upheavals, Bolshevik takeover, WWI failures, Red v. White civil war, Stalin's tightening grip, 1930s terror, collectivization, starvation in the Ukraine, intense army purges, hateful rhetoric toward Germany, then a non-aggression pact with Germany - this was before war broke out.
Stalin then froze up, the Germans almost took the country, millions were killed or taken prisoner. Horrific fighting. Utter disregard for loss of life among Soviet leaders. Much of Russia overrun - with unbelievable brutality - by the Nazis. Low level of professionalism in the army - too much influence of the political advisers. One defeat after the next. Can't overstate what the Nazis did to the Slavs - completely different behavior than in, for example, France.
Penal battalions. Blocking units - to shoot down folks trying to run away from the front.
Yet they came together after Stalingrad - simply amazing.
As they pushed the Germans back through Russia and its territories - these areas were devastated a second time.
As the Russians advanced into Romania and beyond - shocked to see that capitalist countries lived so well. (Yes, apparently even Romania looked pretty good in comparison to Russia in those days.)
Into Germany - pillaging, brutal rapes, constantly; fed by propaganda from the top. This left a sour taste for many - not what they signed up for. Difficult fighting all the way to Berlin.
Even though archives became available - very little in them, at least as discovered so far. Censors controlled. Similarly, surviving soldiers generally didn't want to talk much - part of the coping mechanism, I suppose, similar even for US vets.
After the war - some talk of heroes, and genuine gratitude. But Stalin didn't want to share glory. Moreso, these folks moved back into a wrecked country, that had been at war longer, that had been occupied and terrorized by worst behavior; back into a socialist system, collectives, famine, suspicion, transports, complete denial of any psychological problems, limited support.
Just amazing.
No comments:
Post a Comment