Meat Grinder

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An engrossing history of the desperate battles for the Rzhev Salient, a forgotten story brought to life by the harrowing memoirs of German and Russian soldiers. The fighting in this region during World War II was so grisly that troops dubbed the campaign 'The Meat Grinder.' Despite millions fighting and dying there, the Rzhev Salient lacks the recognition of battles like Leningrad or Moscow, remaining largely overlooked by Western historians. Prit Buttar, an expert on the Eastern Front, reveals the depth of the brutal fighting for the Rzhev Salient, detailing how this area represented a potential renewed offensive towards the Soviet capital for the German Army. Through first-hand accounts from both sides, Buttar examines the four major offensives launched by the Red Army, all resulting in heavy losses exceeding two million casualties, until the Germans were eventually forced to evacuate in March 1943. Drawing on the latest research, this work not only provides a new study of these horrific battles but also explores how the Red Army learned from its colossal failures, which ultimately contributed to its victory against Army Group Centre in the summer of 1944, clearing the path to Berlin.