Battleground Prussia

The Assault on Germany’s Eastern Front 1944-45

By: Prit Buttar

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

The terrible months between the arrival of the Red Army on German soil and the final collapse of Hitler's regime were like no other in the Second World War. The Soviet Army's intent to take revenge for the horror that the Nazis had wreaked on their people produced a conflict of implacable brutality in which millions perished.

From the great battles that marked the Soviet conquest of East and West Prussia to the final surrender in the Vistula estuary, this book recounts in chilling detail the desperate struggle of soldiers and civilians alike. These brutal campaigns are brought vividly to life by a combination of previously unseen testimony and astute strategic analysis recognizing a conflict of unprecedented horror and suffering.

©2010 Prit Buttar (P)2019 Tantor

Russian Atrocities

This book narrates shameful conduct of Russians and allies to punish innocent german people by expelling them out of Prussia and other german territories east of River Oder. It provides a narrative of heroic struggle of german armed forces to defend their land and people from russian communist monster under the tutelage of Stalin. Shame on all that participated on the rape and murder of the german females.

Excellent book. Well worth your time.

Well written and narrated history of the final battles in East Prussia and evacuation to the West.

Fascinating Perspective Of Soviet - German battles during World War II.

The book brings you to feel the terror the German army soldier felt, as well as the insanity of orders to hold ground at any cost. The insight from personal experiences make the book great. I only wish I had a map while reading.

Meat grinder

A great book on a rarely mentioned arena of ww2. The Hugh casualties of soldiers and misery of non-combatants served as a microcosm of the entire war. Clearly and intelligently narrated

Prit Buttar Always Delivers

"Battleground Prussia" is another outstanding and highly detailed work courtesy of one of our most accomplished living military historians. It was a bloodbath in the last year of the war on the Eastern Front. Yes, most of the narrative is that from the Prussia/ German. But given the title, one can expect that might be the focus. But Buttar puts into context the conflict of ideals between Germans and Russians, which translated to the war. Stalin drilled into the heads of his military forces that to kill a German was to serve their country, love their families, etc. They both saw each other as the fascists. And it is hard for us in the United States to imagine growing up in a totalitarian state like these men did. So that must be put into context.

The German atrocities committed when invading Poland and then Russia in 1939 were incomprehensible. And the bitterness was there when the Red Army regrouped and invaded Prussia in 1944, with the goal being the invasion of Berlin. Russian atrocities committed on Germans couldn't have been worse. There are no words for the horrors. And Buttar never glosses over that. It's just mostly driven by the Prussian viewpoint. And with this, it is electrifying. But you have to pay very close attention as to not miss details. I had to rewind too many times to count. There is that much detail.

Nigel Patterson's narration is spot on perfect. This could not be better.

Well Researched and Interesting.

The focus of this book is 1944-1945 in East Prussia, West Prussia, and Pomerania. Prit Buttar gives detailed strategy and division/regiment movements for all of the fighting that occured between German and Soviet forces in this. If you are into a very detailed account of the Ostfront, this is a great book. Nigel Patterson is a solid English narrator with a British accent.

Great book on a little know part of World War 2

Narrator was great.

Subject matter was interesting but as all the other eastern front books, heart breaking.

Compared to many of Prit’s other books this one was HEAVILY focused on the Germany point of view due to the location that the location this takes place.

Overall - Fantastic book if you’re a fan of heavily in depth books like this.

Excellent

Fantastic detail, great stories, filled with interesting facts. Would love to see more books like this on platform

Informative and interesting

Narration:
other than a bit hollow sounding and slightly high pitched, the narration is good.

Content:
detailed and well explained. This is an especially important listen for those unfamiliar with the gargantuan, horrific battles fought in northeastern Germany during the last year of ww2.
Be advised that the horrors visited upon German citizens grim, very grim. Of course, the Germans did worse throughout the war, but still.......

Conclusion:
recommended—highly recommended

WW II Battleground Ignored by Western Historians

This is a great Audible selection if you have an interest in WW II history. It is a part of WW II history mostly ignored by Western Historians, especially those in the United States and Canada. Many WW II buffs probably know two things about Germany's notorious Eastern Front in WW II. Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union and there was a big battle at Stalingrad. Unfortunately, the rest of that important history is mostly ignored by Western Historians. Prussia as a nation or kingdom no longer exists. Battleground Prussia shines a light on why. This is the story of the German Army and German Civilians in Prussia, Koenigsberg, and Danzig after the Nazis were pushed out of the Soviet Union. It tells of events up until the Soviet forces reached the Polish/German border. With great detail, the author, Prit Buttar, tells how the final battles on the Eastern Front played out. You'll find out how a much outnumbered and outgunned German Military held out as long as they did against overwhelming numbers of Soviet soldiers and equipment. You will get to know the commanders on each side, the names of each army, and the view from the common soldier and officers. And, how civilians managed to escape the Soviet onslaught despite the worst intentions of Hitler and the Nazi Party apparatus. If Battleground Prussia has a fault it is that it is detailed to a fault. With names of units. After awhile Grenadier, Fusilier, and Army all start to run together. The performance by Nigel Patterson is excellent.