Military Model Scene

Title: The Battle of Stalingrad Then & Now
Edited by: Karel Margry
Publisher: After the Battle Publications
ISBN: 978-1-39904-626-8

A new title in the established series of books from After the Battle Publications, now part of Pen & Sword. A 168-page hardcover book, packed with the story of events along with many archive and modern photos, with helpful providing the Then and Now comparisons this series is so famous for.
After the Introduction which sets the scene, the rest of the story is split into 3 main parts. The first covers the battle for the city of Voronezh, while the largest section of them all deals with the 7 month long struggle for the city of Stalingrad itself. Within the story of the battle there were of course many places and elements to it, but the grain elevator, the tractor factory and the fountain surrounded by the 6 dancing children are all featured, along with much much more, all with wartime and modern comparisons. The final section sets out the eventual filming of the film Stalingrad, in 1992. The psychological impact of the battle for Stalingrad had a significant effect on the people of Germany as a whole, and it took many years before the story could be tackled by way of a film.
I have to admit, that as is in fact a point made in the Introduction, I never imagined there would be enough left in what was the city of Stalingrad after it was rebuilt after the war to make this sort of comparison possible, but thanks to a local enthusiast who clearly knows the city so well, they have managed to get plenty of meaningful comparisons and make it possible. The 3 chapters were originally published as separate articles in After the Battle magazine over a long period, but this puts them all together into this one collection. The Battle of Voronezh is by author Jason Mark, Stalingrad by Mark Holoboski & Alexander Trofimov, while Stalingrad the Film is from Karel Margry, who also put them all together and added the Introduction. While there are plenty of books on the subject of Stalingrad, this is one which I found especially interesting. The losses on both sides were quite staggering, and considering just how much of the city was destroyed, it is a wonder that this comparison could be done. Recommended.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin