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Osprey- The Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket 1944

ISBN Number: 978-1-4728-6226-6 Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: Monday, January 13, 2025 Retail Price: $25.00
Reviewed By: Michael Reeves

Osprey- The Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket 1944


Book Specifics

Author: Robert Forczyk

Illustrator: Adam Hook

Price: $25.00

ISBN: 978-1-4728-6226-6

Paperback, 96 pages with black and white photos and color maps, battlescene artwork, and 3D diagrams.

What's Inside

This volume in the Campagn series from Osprey focuses on a late war operation on the German side to avoid destruction from a pincer operation from the 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts in March of 1944. Coming out of a brutal relief operation to save parts of the German forces trapped in the Korsun Pocket, 1st Panzer Army under Generaloberst Hube was fatigued and materially weakened. While the army escaped Zhukov's trap, it did so disheveled and while leaving behind a good amount of war equipment. The Table of Contents include:

  • Origins of the Campaign
  • Chronology
  • Opposing Commanders
  • Opposing Plans
  • Opposing Forces and Orders of Battle
  • The Campaign
  • Aftermath
  • The Battlefield Today
  • Bibliography
  • Index

Each chapter presents information from both sides- so we get an idea of the German and Soviet commanders, plans, and forces. The Chronology covers from January 1944 with 1. Panzerarmee's Operation Watutin through to its last elements crossing the Strypa River in late April. The maps throughout are full of information- with troop movements and timelines.

The Opposing Forces chapter breaks each side down by armor and infantry units, artillery (or lack of in the case of the Germans), logistics, and air support. The chapter closes with a two-page Order of Battle.

The Campaign chapter is the book's longest and breaks things up into phases. It begins with Zhukov's Offensive from 4-20 March. The weather during this time was detrimental to both sides- with the cold and the mud when things warmed up becoming a hindrance to all involved. Weather actually hindered much in the way of air operations which helped the Germans tremendously considering their air support was lacking in comparison to the Soviet VVS. Stukas were no equal to Soviet Il-2s and Yak and La-5 fighters. German intentions at resupplying by air met challenges as well-- with the inability to provide the fuel and food so direly needed- or to evacuate the wounded out in time. The next phase was Encirclement between 21-26 March. This was followed up by the breakout of 1. Panzerarmee from 27 March to 5 April and it's escape from 6-9 April.

The text is accompanied by three two-page artwork pieces with a caption explaining the action. The black and white photos accompanying the campaign overview are one to two to a page- and rather small. Some are quite dark due to their age but there are some photos that lend themselves to ideas for modelers looking to add a unique story to their dioramas. The Aftermath provides an analysis of the shattered German Army and its constant backpedaling to escape the encroaching Soviet forces. Zhukov's overconfidence and hubris in the end prevented him from the encirclement he desired- and while capturing the majority of German equipment and some prisoners, total annihilation of the German Army evaded him.

There is a bit of a different spin to the Battlefield Today section. Usually there are photos of the battlefield in the present day, highlighting memorials and modern tributes to the battles of the Great War. However, due to the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, many of the monuments memorializing the Communist regime have been removed or defaced. There are some wartime concrete bunkers west of Kamenets-Podolsky and the castle there still bears remnants of the battle.


Conclusion

Anyone looking to learn more about the closing phases of German actions in the Soviet Union during the war would find this to be of interest. The text is thorough and extensive and the accompanying maps and color artwork reinforce the chaos and hustle of battle as one side attempted to encircle and vanquish the other. The German Army only delayed the inevitable as the Soviet side continued to steamroll right through west to Berlin. Loads of tank and vehicle wartime photos, despite the size and quality restrictions, make for a great resource for modelers and historians alike.

Highly Recommended for those interested in the Eastern Front of WWII.

Thanks goes out to Osprey Publishing for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

 

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