CMBB Distilled--Russians (orientation for recent arrivals)

[John Kettler]

The GPW (short form)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JovjryCrPhk

Penal battalion in action (leading the way with MGs behind to "prod" the slow and unwilling)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLFM8zpZ0AA

The Russian monster war movie Barbarossa (translated) Kursk segment clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWDEmJ74RI&feature=related

MOUT (Battle of Berlin clips)

Link to full-blown Russian Battle of Berlin documentary

http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=011976#000000

These should provide some sense of what is was like on the underfilmed side!

Bonus: Both sides, to include captured German armor

Both sides (classic Russian war photography plus rare 57mm SU in combat)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjmpmTh93Mo&feature=related

And did I mention this? They're really, really angry!

Now that you've got some visual context, let me commend to you a slim volume by Albert Axell called RUSSIA'S HEROES 1941-1945. This book helps bring the Great Patriotic War to life by not only describing the broad thrust of events, providing great maps and photos, but by showing you what even a single person could do that ultimately affected the outcome.

As history it's imperfect, but for understanding the flavor and dynamics of a CMBB battlefield, it's tough to beat.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PAB/is_6_112/ai_111268860

http://www.amazon.com/Russias-Heroes-1941-45-Struggle-Survival/dp/0786708565

Regards,

John Kettler

[ March 25, 2008, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: John Kettler ]