Slaughterhouse: The Handbook of the Eastern Front: The Handbook of the Eastern Front, 1941-45 [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

The encyclopedic content of Slaughterhouse: The Handbook of the Eastern Front (Keith Bonn, ed.) more than justifies its subtitle. Previously published by the Military Book Club, this updated trade paper version from The Aberjona Press is full of information and will provide neophyte and seasoned students of history alike with plenty of brain-food. Although different sections of the book were written, or information compiled, by several different historians, editor Keith Bonn has fashioned a seamless text that is rare in such multi-authored works. No less surprising is the group of respected historical researchers Bonn has brought together to create Slaughterhouse. Certainly the contributions of David M. Glantz, who is one of the foremost American experts on the Soviet war machine of the Second World War, provide significant clout to this project. Scott McMichael and Yuri and Natalia Khonko provide additional research on the Soviet side, while the German side of the equation is brought to life through the combined efforts of Steve Myers, Hugh Foster, Marc J. Rikmenspoel, and Bonn himself. Rikmenspoel's recently published work, Waffen-SS Encyclopedia, amply demonstrates the talent of this young historian. Slaughterhouse is a serious work worthy of critical praise as a bench-standard of researched history of the Eastern Front.

Slaughterhouse is organized into seven basic sections:

First, an Introduction section by Glantz (pp. 1-14) provides necessary context for one to appreciate, again or for the first time, the importance of the Eastern Front and the Soviet contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany - this latter point being frequently downplayed by Western historians and culture alike. This section should be REQUIRED reading for ALL those interested in WWII history, especially those who feel the Western Front was the "end-all."

Second, Slaughterhouse also provides a chronology of events on the Eastern Front (pp. 15-66) to bring the reader along on the major events from beginning (events before the outbreak of war) to the end (German capitulation and the start of Soviet occupation of eastern Germany). This section includes both bulleted facts (for quick reference) and text to expand and explain the bulleted facts. Amazing work, concise and full at the same time!

Third, short biographical essays of both German (pp. 67-112) and Soviet (pp. 113-146) military commanders are provided. As many of the German commanders also led troops on the Western Front (and sometimes in Africa) many of these personalities are well known to American readers. For this reviewer, the Soviet commanders stand in stark contrast in this regard - most being essentially unknown to us in the West, with a few notable exceptions (Zhukov, Vasilevsky, Konev and Chuikov). These biographies synopsize important facts related to the military accomplishments of these men and their relationships to events on the Eastern Front. This section provides plenty of new material for those not well versed with Eastern Front history and is a great introduction to these personalities.

Fourth, unit organization and action summaries (chronological) are presented for over 1,000 (yes, that's right) German [and German allies'] (pp. 147-298) and Soviet (pp. 299-390) units involved in fighting on the Eastern Front, from the division level and above. This section of the book is by far the most encyclopedic portion. The information is presented clearly in tabular/column format such that one can find units and dates easily. Again, as was the case with the German commanders, many of the German units also served on other fronts and we are not deprived of that information (a real bonus!). Certainly anyone looking for summaries of division-level and above actions on the Eastern Front need not look beyond Slaughterhouse. This is a truly impressive compilation of information.

Fifth, Slaughterhouse provides order of battle information for over 50 different types of major units of all armies that fought on the Eastern Front (pp. 391-437). As not all units were organized the same way at all times, these diagrams represent the authorized, or intended organizational structures. Sufficient textual explanation is provided with each diagram to allow even those less familiar with such charts to follow them. Again, if you desire this type of information for the Eastern Front look nowhere else!

Sixth, tables with extensive performance characteristics of major weapons systems are provided (pp. 439-470). The text is supplemented with numerous photographs of various weapons from tanks and tank destroyers to small arms. This section, like the fourth, is by nature "encyclopedic" but again if you want the information, it's all here!

The seventh and final section (again written by Glantz) presents some examples of "missing" battles - actions not detailed thoroughly or completely in any one previous history. Glantz attempts with this section not to present the full stories, but to provide examples of where much research can still be done. As he points out, much information remains undiscovered and tucked away in the former Soviet Union, but with time hopefully even these sources will be accessible.

In the end the best praise this reviewer can give Slaughterhouse is less specific but likely more impacting: after reading Slaughterhouse, this reviewer wants to read and learn more about events that precipitated on the Eastern Front. If a historical work can pique one's interest and educate at the same time, it has more than done its job. Slaughterhouse is a FIVE star effort that should grace every serious student's bookshelf.

Without echoing what others have written, this book is one that will appeal to both the neophytes and the veterans of researching the Eastern Front. It is useful on several levels, and contains a wealth of information that in some cases is newly available in the English language!

While there is a considerable amount of information in the book, it really is presented in such a logical fashion that it's quite simple to find what is needed. For example, unlike some presentations, the unit information sections are quite logically in numerical order by hierarchy, so everything is easy to locate.

Much of the information on the German forces is in point of fact available in other milieus, both on-line and printed. However, with this book you have not only a listing, but a synopsis of every German and German-Allied unit to fight on the Russian front, from Army Group down to division. For the German-Allied units, this is probably the first time the information on Rumanian, Italian, Hungarian and Finnish forces has ever been gathered together in one place.

The section on the Soviet will be very valuable to researchers and historians. Since the end of the war, very little factual information from the Soviet side has been available. Here in this volume, you will find information that has not been readily available previously. Admittedly, some of the information is limited, but that is due to original sources, not the authors of this book. It must be remembered that in the literal `meat-grinder' that was the Russian Front, many of these units didn't exist long enough to develop a pedigree. Record keeping wasn't always as efficient as historians would desire, either.

The unit organization section I believe was handled very well. Those who study the German military especially know how many incarnations there were of each major type of unit. In this volume, the basic types of divisions are displayed, with major differentiations noted as needed. A good example of this would be the diagram for the Waffen-SS Mountain Division. The basic provisions for this type of unit are shown, followed by notes for six different Waffen-SS Mountain Divisions, explaining how they differed from the norm.

In the weapons section, the publisher has presented important information comparing German and Russian weapons side by side. Disregarding factory specifications, the information here shows things like effective range, which is much more important to the soldier and the historian. By putting the information side by side, it is easy to compare capabilities of different weapons systems from the rifle all the way up to the heaviest artillery. For vehicles, the information provided is that which is pertinent to combat. Offensive capability and defensive survivability is presented.

If one were to read this book from cover to cover, one would not know all there is to know about the war in Russia. Like any encyclopedia, this book provides a considerable amount of information, without going into exquisite detail. It will provide an excellent starting point for any research, though. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about combat on the Russian Front in World War II.

The Eastern Front is a huge subject which cannot be covered in any detail in one single book. Someone considering buying this work should understand what it is and what it isn't. This book is not for anyone looking for detailed accounts of individual battles and campaigns. Nor is it for anyone wanting detailed orders of battle or biographies of the main commanders involved on both sides and it's not for anyone wanting detailed information on the weapons and equipment used.

What it is, is a 'one stop shop' of useful summarised information for the whole campaign and it's participants. This book will be useful for those who wish to look up facts and figures on the war in the East but don't require in depth information or wish to part with what can be a considerable amount of money aquiring more detailed and specialised works.

The book is exactly what it says it is on the cover, a handbook of the Eastern Front.