NEW BOOK! -- The Battle of the Wolchow Kessel in Primary German Documents, Volume I

[Maus41]

I would like to announce the release of the book The Battle of the Wolchow Kessel in Primary German Documents, Volume I, and the accompanying Wolchow Kessel Operational Battle Map Set. A description of the book:

"In January of 1942 the Soviets launched an offensive against the German 18. Army in the area of the Wolchow River.  Their goal was nothing short of the total destruction of the 18. Army.  The Soviets managed to drive a large wedge into the German lines, measuring some 75 km in depth.  The harsh terrain and stiffening German resistance eventually brought the offensive to a halt, well short of their intended goal.  By May of 1942 the Germans were ready to launch a counterattack to reduce the bulge in their lines. 
For the first time in English, the German actions during the battle of the Wolchow Kessel (as the battle to reduce the Soviet bulge in the German lines became known) are brought into the light by translating the original German reports.  The translated reports include the following:
 
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Orders
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Daily Reports to 18. Armee
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Kriegsgliederung
XXXVIII. Armee Korps War Diary
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Morning/Interim/Daily Reports
 
The book also includes an extensive German/English glossary and appendixes.  This is the first volume of a multi-volume work on the Battle of the Wolchow Kessel which aims to translate most of the German military reports during the battle."

The book is 710 pages in length. The book contains extensive amounts of information on all of the units that served under the XXXVIII Korps during the battle, including some surprising new information on the 250. Spanish Infantry division.

The accompanying map set contains 54 full color, 80lb. paper, glossy 12X18 maps. All contained within a black and gold slip case. See my website for additional information on the book and the map set (http://www.wehrmachtbericht.com)

The book can be ordered directly from Lulu (http://www.lulu.com/shop/brian-burmeist ... 79390.html) and the map set can be purchased directly from my website (http://www.wehrmachtbericht.com/page2.php).

[Leo Niehorster]

With all due respect for your immense efforts, the price will be out of reach for most people.
Twelve narrative volumes plus two map volumes at ~73 € [plus 7% VAT in Germany] = ~1100 €, plus postage.

Couldn't a one volume book (albeit a thick one) cover the same battle?

Respectfully yours
--
Leo

[ViKinG]

Though pricey as Leo has pointed out, This looks like an amazing piece of work!

[Maus41]

Hi Leo,

I agree, the higher the price, the more difficult to sell, and simply writing a book on the battle, all in one volume would have been doable, but that was not my goal. My goal is to translate all of the German reports (on this particular battle) into English, so that other reader/researchers can have ready access to this information, without having extensive knowledge of German. The book is pricey do fact it is solid translated reports throughout the entire book, and with translations running anywhere from $10-$30 a page, the costs add up exponentially. Thanks Leo.

Kind Regards,
Brian Burmeister

[Maus41]

Viking,

Thanks for the kind words. Many years of hard work finally coming to fruition!

Brian B.

[ViKinG]

You're welcome. do any of the books deal with the Volkhov battles of 1941?? Or is it just stricktly 1942?

[Maus41]

The series will deal strictly with the German offensive to eliminate the pocket. The dates that are covered are from May 1, 1942 to July 7, 1942. We did uncover some very fascinating information on the 250. Infantry Division, which is included in Volume I (and Volume II as well).

[ViKinG]

That's very cool! However at this time I don't need info from 1942 as I'm still in 1941. BUT in the future I will definitely look for these books. Thanks!

[Maus41]

Thanks Viking.

[Mori]

I would like to announce the release of the book The Battle of the Wolchow Kessel in Primary German Documents, Volume I, and the accompanying Wolchow Kessel Operational Battle Map Set. A description of the book:

"In January of 1942 the Soviets launched an offensive against the German 18. Army in the area of the Wolchow River.  Their goal was nothing short of the total destruction of the 18. Army.  The Soviets managed to drive a large wedge into the German lines, measuring some 75 km in depth.  The harsh terrain and stiffening German resistance eventually brought the offensive to a halt, well short of their intended goal.  By May of 1942 the Germans were ready to launch a counterattack to reduce the bulge in their lines. 
For the first time in English, the German actions during the battle of the Wolchow Kessel (as the battle to reduce the Soviet bulge in the German lines became known) are brought into the light by translating the original German reports.  The translated reports include the following:
 
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Orders
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Daily Reports to 18. Armee
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Kriegsgliederung
XXXVIII. Armee Korps War Diary
XXXVIII. Armee Korps Morning/Interim/Daily Reports
 

Can you give the exact NARA quote (or BAMA quote) of the documents you translated for this first volume?

T314 R...?

Thanks,

Mori

[Maus41]

Hi Mori,

We used T315-R1359, T314-R903, T314-R904, T314-R905, T314-902. If you have any more questions about the book, just let me know. Thanks.

Brian

[Mori]

Thanks, good to know.

For information: anyone looking for these 5 original rolls will find them either at John Calvin's or by asking around (for T315 R1539). Of course, a bit more difficult to read than a book, and in German.

[Maus41]

Thanks to everyone who has purchased the book so far. I should also note that if you register on Lulu, you will have access to the daily coupons. For instance, todays (3/16) coupon is 20% off on Print Books (use coupon code: LULU20). That would mean that the $79 list price would drop to roughly $63.20.

[fisenfender]

In Russland wurde vor einigen Jahren ein ähnliches Buch mit einer detaillierten Beschreibung der Schlachten im Wolkowkessel veröffentlicht. (Anzeige der Bewegungen der Teile im Kessel, ihrer Zusammensetzung usw.).