Glantz, David M. Operation Don's Main Attack. The Soviet Southern Front's Advance on Rostov, January-February 1943

With the defeat and destruction of German Sixth Army at Stalingrad all but certain at the end of 1942, the war on the Eastern Front took a definitive turn as the Germans struggled to erect a new defensive front to halt the Soviet juggernaut driving west. Operation Dons Main Attack is the first detailed study of the dramatic clash of armies that followed, unfolding inexorably over the course of two months across an expanse of more than 1,600 kilometers.

Using recently released Russian archival material never before available to researchers, David M. Glantz provides a close-up account, from both sides, of the planning and conduct of Operation Donthe Soviet offensive by the Red Armys Southern front that aimed to capture Rostov in JanuaryFebruary 1943. His book includes a full array of plans, candid daily reports, situation maps, and strength and casualty reports prepared for the forces that participated in the offensive at every level. Drawing on an unprecedented and comprehensive range of documents, the book delves into many hitherto forbidden topics, such as unit strengths and losses and the foibles and attitudes of command cadre. Glantzs work also presents rare insights into the military strategy, combat tactics, and operational art of such figures as Generals Eremenko and Malinovsky and Field Marshal Erich von Manstein.

A uniquely informed study of a critical but virtually forgotten Soviet military operation, Operation Dons Main Attack offers a fresh perspective on the nature of the twentieth centurys most terrible of wars.

With the recently published Russian archival material, previously unavailable to researchers, David M. Glantz provides a detailed account, fair to both sides, of the planning and execution of Operation Don - the Soviet offensive on the Red Army's southern front to capture the strategically important city of Rostov. His book contains a whole series of plans, official daily reports on combat operations, situation maps and announcements on strength and losses. With an unprecedented and comprehensive collection of documents that shed entirely new light on previously unknown and/or forbidden topics such as troop strengths, casualties or performance records for commanders. Glantz's work also offers rare insights into the military strategy, battle tactics and operational art of figures such as Eremenko, Malinowski and Field Marshal Erich von Manstein. A unique and informative study of an important but virtually forgotten Soviet military operation.