Print Buttar brings a very readable and authoritative account of the bitter fighting between the Wehrmacht and the Red Army as German Forces were first halted and then slowly, yet remorselessly, pushed back as the Red Army learned hard lessons at the hands of the more tactically skilled German infantry and armoured personnel. Inevitably, such a detailed account is densely packed with detail that covers both the strategic picture as well as a number of individual and small unit operations that highlights how the conflict came down all too often to brutal attack, counter attack and withdraw actions. Readers looking for a brief summary of this pivotal action should probably look elsewhere.
The account highlights how the victorious German forces, who had arrived in operation Barbarossa still savouring the relatively easy conquest of the Low Countries, Norway and France, were steadily worn down by an enemy that may have been slow to learn but eventually deployed their mass of forces and matériel to push the German armed forces back. The author highlights how this little known action was illustrative of the actions taking place along the extended front between the Red Army and the German armed forces; actions that were often characterised by the brutal treatment of civilians at the hands of the retreating German forces and an absence of any mutual respect between the opposing forces of the kind witnessed, for example, in North Africa.

An extremely well-researched book covering the little know campaign at the Rzhev Salient, on the Eastern Front during WW2, The author clearly knows his stuff!
The casualty figures in the millions are quite staggering and very difficult to comprehend. The Russians lost 10,000 men per kilometer of ground regained. 72% of all German casualties were suffered in the EAst fighting the Russians.
I really valued the insight of eyewitness accounts from both sides of the conflict. These brought the bloody battles to life.
It's a must-read book for military historians.

This was a fascinating account of a major battle in the Eastern Front during the Second World War. Buttar has done a fantastic job of detailing accounts and perspectives on both sides of the conflict. I would highly recommend this to fellow World War II buffs.

Dr. Buttar continues his excellent history of the Second World War. I truly appreciate his incisive nature and writing style. This is excellent and well worth reading.

A seriously researched and detailed account of the battles between the Russian and German armies in 1942-43 at the Rzhev Salient commonly known as the 'Meat Grinder'. Here the campaigns swung from one way to another before the Russians lost over 2 million men but when in the Spring of 1943 the Germans were forced to leave.
As said, a book packed with detail and first-hand accounts. Not one to skip through as a light read but more for the serious historians, WW2 enthusiasts or academics.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Osprey Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A fascinating look at the little known battle in Russia during WW2. The firsthand accounts from individuals at the battles really enhances the stories and draws you in. The hardships and loss of life was horrifying. This is a great read for the history and WW2 enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.