Battle for White Russia - The Destruction of Army Group Centre, June 1944

In summer 1944, the Soviets launched a major operation against German Army Group Centre, holding the Byelorussian sector. The Soviets succeeded in making the Germans think that the main effort go in further south, against the Army Group North Ukraine. By this time too, the real cost of Manstein's defensive success with Army Group South was beginning to show; Army Group Centre was grossly undermanned and underequipped. Largely through the inability of Field Marshal Busch, Commander-in-Chief Army Group Centre, to stand up to Hitler, the Germans fell back almost as if by plan into the successive Soviet encircling rings. It was only when Field Marshal Model assumed command of both Army Group Centre and Army Group North Ukraine that the situation was reestablished.

This dramatic collapse, setting the scene for the final episode of the Russian campaign, is described here in a brilliant and objective investigation. But this is more than military history - lessons can be drawn which are strikingly relevant to the defense of Western Europe today. It is this which makes this title so important.