Kursk: The German View (review)

Steven Newton's Kursk: The German View offers readers an interesting new perspective on the oft-written-about 1943 battle. The book offers a combination of editorial commentary, primary sources, and original essays, all of which are skillfully organized by Professor Newton into a coherent and logical framework. The book's well-written introduction outlines its purpose: to cast a new perspective on commonly held assumptions about the battle, particularly from the German point of view. According to Professor Newton, the Germans' role and performance in the battle is often obscured and misconstrued by a number of secondary sources and he hopes to rectify this by publishing a number of recollections by German leaders who were involved in the battle. These documents are part of the vast number of German military studies housed in the National Archives and Professor Newton has retranslated them and provided the reader with editorial commentary that discusses the relevance and accuracy of the source, the role of the particular authors, and any biases and inaccuracies found in their reminiscences. Professor Newton's commentary provides fascinating insight into the nature of the historiography related to the Eastern Front and he endeavors to show readers that these sources, while not infallible, nonetheless offer important insights into the Battle of Kursk and fighting in the East. His expertise in regard to these sources is truly impressive.

As for the documents contained in the book, they cover a wide range of participants involved in all phases of the battle, from ground and air combat, to supply and administration. All are quite readable and they provide useful insights into the nature of the fighting on the Eastern Front and the decision-making process of the German leadership. Especially enlightening was General Friedrich Kless's essay about the Luftwaffe, which demonstrates the many logistical difficulties associated with providing air support during the battle. Two essays written by General Erhard Raus are also particularly good and provide stirring accounts of the crisis atmosphere that accompanied the German war effort in the East. The last part of the book contains some original essays that attempt to resolve some of the historiographic controversies surrounding the Battle of Kursk. One essay argues, for example, that it was German mistakes on the tactical level that caused their failure rather than the depth and strength of the Soviet defensive system. Professor Newton then ends the book with an essay discussing whether or not Kursk was a decisive battle and he argues that, given the irreplaceable material and manpower losses suffered by the Germans, it was.

Kursk: The German View is a valuable book both for the source material it provides and for the readability of the essays and recollections found within it. Reading the book is by no means a difficult slog through impenetrable, difficult to read documents. Rather, the essays are all excellent and Professor Newton helps keep readers focused with his insightful editorial commentary. The book is definitely intended for serious students of military history and it does not address many peripheral issues about World War Two. However, for those interested in learning more about warfare on the Eastern Front, the book is highly recommended.