One of the most intense defensive campaigns of WWII was fought in the area around Demyansk, Russia. This is located roughly 100 miles to the south and east of St. Petersburg in an area surrounded by marshes and forests. It was here that the Germans made a stand following the drawback from Moscow and as part of their operations against what was then Leningrad during WWII.

A salient was created as the Soviet army pushed back in their typical poor and piecemeal fashion. Though greatly outnumbered at all times, the Germans had the benefit of good logistics thanks to a close railhead that allowed supplies to be brought in fairly close to the fighting. On the Soviet side, their troops had to march at least 70 km to reach the front lines. Much of the fighting took place during the long and extremely cold winter season, for in spring and summer, the surrounding area turned into a quagmire of mud and swamps that severely restricted movement of any sort.

While the Soviets did manage to encircle Demyansk, and the nearby town of Kolm, they were never able to overwhelm the defenders. Much of this was due to the air bridge that was able to either land in enough supplies to keep the troops going and take out wounded or, as in the case of Kolm, to air drop what was needed. Such was the ferocity of the fighting at Kolm that it has been considered to be the finest defensive campaign since Rourke's Drift in the Zulu War.

The cost to both sides was high, especially the Soviets who were frequently forced to attack despite having troops that were near starvation and ill equipped. For the Germans, the Luftwaffe lost a considerable number of transports, something they could ill afford.

Eventually the Demyansk salient became untenable and in early 1943, the Germans withdrew. Kolm, on the other hand, held out after having their siege lifted, until early 1944. Such was the success of the air supply at Demyansk that Hitler felt it would work at Stalingrad. Unfortunately, Stalingrad was a much larger operation and it proved to be impossible to keep those troops properly supplied.

Author Robert Forczyk does a superlative job of telling the story of the two operations at Demyansk and Kolm as well as other related sectors. This includes going into the personalities involved and the planning in addition to the events themselves. Of course, the tales of the campaign take up the vast majority of the book and are an excellent example of fact being more gripping that fiction.

The book is further enhanced by a superb selection of photographs, most of them of Soviet troops, and the outstanding artwork and maps of illustrator Peter Dennis. Like all Osprey titles, it is highly recommended and one that you will find as fascinating a read as did I. 

July 2012

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