{"product_id":"soviet-rifleman-vs-german-infantryman-operation-bagration-1944-paperback","title":"Soviet Rifleman Vs German Infantryman: Operation Bagration 1944 - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJacek Zabielski\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eRaffaele Ruggeri\u003c\/b\u003e (Illustrator)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis fully illustrated account assesses the Soviet and German foot soldiers who fought in Operation \u003ci\u003eBagration\u003c\/i\u003e, Stalin's bid to drive the Axis forces from Soviet territory in World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In the summer of 1944, the Red Army launched Operation\u003ci\u003e Bagration\u003c\/i\u003e, aiming to liberate Belarus and cripple the Wehrmacht's Eastern Front capability. In just five weeks, Soviet forces reached the gates of Warsaw, inflicting catastrophic losses on the Germans - over 300,000 men, a toll even greater than Stalingrad. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In this study, Jacek Zabielski assesses the infantrymen fighting on both sides in the Vitebsk-Orsha Offensive, the battle for Minsk and the struggle for Vilnius. He highlights how, seeking to conduct high-tempo operations reminiscent of the German Blitzkrieg doctrine of 1939-41, the Red Army concentrated its forces to achieve decisive breakthroughs, pursuing the destruction of Axis forces despite enormous casualties. In contrast, the Wehrmacht was in rapid decline. Hitler's increasing unwillingness to delegate decision-making to field commanders hampered German effectiveness, while years of relentless combat had depleted their ranks of experienced junior officers and NCOs. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The war's end was still many months away, but Operation \u003ci\u003eBagration\u003c\/i\u003e made Soviet victory inevitable, setting the stage for the Red Army's advance into East Prussia, the Baltic and South-eastern Europe.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJacek Zabielski\u003c\/b\u003e's historical research has primarily centred around contemporary military technology, camouflage and markings, with a particular emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eRaffaele Ruggeri\u003c\/b\u003e has long been interested in military history and has illustrated a number of books for Osprey, including several in the Combat series.\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.3 x 9.7 x 7.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 20, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49988926144667,"sku":"9781472871879","price":25.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/4602\/1275\/files\/sbiK3EqjtN9781472871879.webp?v=1793336206","url":"https:\/\/www.statesideqm.com\/products\/soviet-rifleman-vs-german-infantryman-operation-bagration-1944-paperback","provider":"Stateside Quartermaster, Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}