Petsamo and Kirkenes 1944 - The Soviet Offensive in the Northern Arctic

This title examines the bitter conflict between two highly tactical armies as they battled across challenging terrain to gain control of strategically significant Northern Finland. On the one side were the invading Soviet troops, hoping to liberate an area full of rich resources and littered with bases that that would enable the arrival of Arctic convoys from Britain. They employed naval infantry in abundance, not only to make amphibious landings to capture strategically significant port facilities, but also on deep outflanking manoeuvres inland. Their opponents were the elite Gebirgsjäger from XIX Gebirgskorps; trained to be self-sufficient and resourceful and equipped with a range of bespoke weaponry, this mountain division was ideally suited to operate in the harsh climate. Combat conditions were unique: the extremely rough terrain, laced with bogs, streams, boulder fields, and large rivers, presented a significant challenge in its own right, even without the added threat of attacks by highly trained soldiers.
This illustrated title tells the story of this unique and bitter struggle in the far North, an epic battle between two elite forces fighting in a demanding environment. With bird's-eye views and maps of key battlefields, this is a comprehensive guide to one of the most challenging campaigns of the Eastern Front.

List of contents

Origins of the campaign

Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing armies
Orders of battle
Opposing plans
The campaign
Aftermath
The battlefields today

Further reading
Index

About the author

David Greentree graduated from the University of York with a BA in History before completing an MA in War Studies at King's College London and qualifying as a lecturer in Further Education. In 1995 he accepted a commission in the Royal Air Force and has served in a variety of locations, including Afghanistan and Oman. He has written several books for Osprey, focusing on British military history and World War II.

Summary

A highly illustrated study of this unique and bitter struggle in the far North, an epic battle between two elite forces fighting in a demanding environment.

Product details

• Authors: David Greentree, Greentree David
• Assisted by: Adam Hook (Illustration), Graham Turner (Illustration), Graham (Illustrator) Turner (Illustration), Mr Graham Turner (Illustration)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2019
• EAN: 9781472831132
• ISBN: 978-1-4728-3113-2
• No. of pages: 96
• Series: Campaign; Campaign
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; Finland, HISTORY / Military / Pictorial, Second World War, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Modern warfare, c 1940 to c 1949, c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), Special & elite forces, Special and elite forces, Arctic regions, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, HISTORY / Russia / General