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Alexey Isaev , moped is not mine, I just posted Speak! books by Vladimir Medina "War" is so persistently jam, that at some point I thought, "Citizens, Do you really want me to read it and responded on the basis of reading?". Despite the long line of books in their own list to read, I still bought and read a couple of evenings and trips to transport a "war". First a little preamble. I have nothing against B. Medina, I know him and did not come across. Itself the task popularization of knowledge about the war a necessary and arhipoleznoe. Well, when a man with a sharp pen reads book historians and perky presents them to the masses. Of the positive examples come to mind, "Guns of August" by Barbara Takman. However, to harness in a cart horse science and quivering doe fiction in general is quite difficult. In addition, good writing man is forced to learn a new area for themselves and can become the victim of numerous pitfalls. It is among the people in the topic, many facts are known and reduced to a level where enough to pronounce, relatively speaking, "anecdote № 124," and everyone laughs. Publicist-promoter could undermine some well-known on the one hand, on the other hand has long disputed in the scientific community the facts and arguments. Medina opened the book I'm on the list of references. He produced a generally positive impression. There were and collections of documents, and Bykov's book "Victory of Stalin falcons" (read on the fan, frankly). Due to the lack of a preconceived opinion I began reading with a sympathetic attitude.
However, the first bells that Mr. Medina did not particularly aware of what is debatable rang pretty quickly. There He cupola of the package M.-R., entitled "The Ballad of the" shameful "secret protocols". It is written «But what the Russians did not say: exactly the same as the Covenant sign and other states » (p.50, kapslok of M.). Further, as examples figuriret Munich Agreement. Immediately the question arose: and Medina in general in the course, what is the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and a secret additional protocol?? By signed the Munich documents such are not attached, as is well known. About the secret additional protocol spears actually broken. Nothing special about this add. protocol is not written. But for teachers MGIMO what is the Medina words about equality pact and added. Protocol hear frankly weird.
This is not to say that crap is 100% of book. He correctly writes about Zhukov's orders to protect the people of otnositelnyz casualty figures led by Zhukov troops. Shkolyarskoe exercise "refute nonsense about one rifle for three "Medina has worked well, although in the end it has brought a few. He wrote «Division militia were understaffed fighters. Accordingly, the conventional weapons they were more than soldiers. Not one rifle for three, and three rifles for two » (S.173). To fall into "all is well beautiful Marquis "I think, in this case there was insufficient evidence. Are different, met militias armed to the teeth. But the weapons actually lacked. Moreover, both the militias and the army. Hence, to take urgent measures to restore the training weapon in combat and other activities such as withdrawal of weapons from combat support units. Those who wish may submit statements of COD (Chief Artillery Directorate) with the graphs on Small Arms "by state" and "there". The difference is palpable, you can trust me. This was another warning bell: man is not the topic drifted due to lack of knowledge of basic facts. Still further Medina hit safely in 28 Panfilov: «exposed even heroes Panfilov» (S.236). Military Prosecutor's Office to dot E in history with 28 Panfilov in 1946 (not after 1966 writes Medina). The story was actually invented by a journalist "Red Star" from scratch. The question is: Why substituted and drag this story on the pages of popular books? Although there are real feats documented by, with both parties. Medina of interest did not. Another shkolyarskoe exercise on the distribution of Lend-Lease during the war, supplying engines in pieces, and as a percentage of pre-war fleet, as well was carried out quite successfully. But all of this as it is not enough for a positive assessment of the entire book.
Gradually the impression that the book Medina relies, conditional on the three "A": agitprop, nonsense and illogicality. On many issues, cheerfully retold version of the Soviet agitprop, with enough often in the most primeval form. However, where Medina lured pact with the protocol he gave to the mountain the following passage: «Why would France and Britain? For what fussing and fawning in front of Hitler at Munich? Hitler wanted to incite the Soviet Union. What are they better? » And it is not once thrown trenchant phrase. Closer by the end of the book Medina again wrote: «All the pre-war British foreign policy was based on the fact that incite Hitler to Stalin ...» (S.427). Yes, yes, yes, all slept and saw how would zagnobit young Soviet state. Other problems they had. Teacher MGIMO, yeah. Readers will find in the pages of "War" reasonably complete set of Soviet propaganda fabrications. Here are some of the characteristic: «In January 1945, we once again saved the Americans stuck in Ardennes launched their offensive on the week before ... » (S.443). From this later rose tales of abandonment at the altar of service Stalin Churchill soldier's life. Really as the Vistula-Oder, on the contrary, postponed due to weather conditions. On a result of the sinking of Marinesco German liner "Wilhelm Gustlov»: killed 1,300 German divers, among them - fully formed submarine crews and their commanders (S.287). Firstly, from the 2-nd educational division of submarines to "Gustlove" died a little over 400 people. Second, from among the dead officers could collect a maximum of one crew of the submarine VII series. Third, all these submariners had still about six months to train to become full members of the crews of boats. It's all long ago (before 2010) found. Why bikes a repeat? Attack of the Marinesco and without them - a significant success. But Medina hard collects and voiced agitpropovskie bikes, so he wrote: «were created special elite units - such as the squadron Meldersa and Richthofen - the pilots picked up for them in Germany » (S.407). However, it is well known that elite air units in the German Air Force was not. Fighter squadron JG52, which fought Hartmann did not have their own names. JG51 was named "Melders" after the death of the Werner Meldersa. No regiments aces like a shelf in Klescheeva Red Army Air Force, the Germans were not observed. By the way the story with accounts aces Medina highlighted by quite a dull version: Germans lied, period. Although in reality both sides were lying and it was commonplace during the war. The difference in the accounts of aces had a much more complex explanation than "they lied, and we - no."
Agitprop Medina added to his nonsense. Where is a smooth one overflow to another (in agitprop nonsense and further into incoherence). Here he tells the story of one of the decisive days in the defense of Stalingrad, August 23, 1942: «But they [the Germans - AI] on the way was Stalingrad tractor. And working battalion of the plant - a hardworking black greasy overalls. With rifles. A regular troops - no. Did not fit. Well, not expecting a breakthrough here. So, looking through binoculars at sticking in certain polubarrikadah workers, the Germans decided that these countries are painted (oil and fumes) Rambo faces in black, apparently, the Russian marines. They stopped and asked for reinforcements - a "black death" after they were afraid of Sevastopol » (p.177-178). To to be afraid of "black death" after the German troops in Sevastopol Stalingrad must have been at least get the experience of the assault itself Sevastopol. However, released by STZ August 23, 1942 XIV Panzer Corps in the Crimea had never been. 16-Panzer Division, prorvavshayaya to FCZ, also at Sevastopol and was not afraid of a black Death on the experience of fighting there in her technical ability was not. Would be to place people in more namahanny Medina in the subject, he would have remembered that STZ produced tanks and they could go straight from the shop to protect the plant. There were antiaircraft defense of the city, parts that are included in the group Shtevneva the evening came to a fresh 2 mk and so on. But Medina predpolchel inform broad masses nonsense about "Black Death".
opportunity to say some nonsense Medina misses even on level ground. So he wrote: «Reichstag was main stronghold in the defense of Berlin, which allows to control the entire city center» (S.548, emphasis added). This is nonsense and fiction, I do not know - Medina, or anyone else. The Reichstag building is a low enough that there is something to monitor in dense development. Again, why the Reichstag, not Angaltsky station, which were working longer? On the role of the strong points of natzhkoy to claim Flakturmy with 128-mm guns on the roofs, and a thick wall. No wonder that in Flakturme Zoo sitting governor of Berlin Weidling. The Reichstag with the garrison, armed Strelkovka, Flakturmam inferior in all respects, and was in Berlin, already three Flakturma. But Medina is not a topic, ABC does not know and because there is the Reichstag building as the main reference para. 9 Army Bussy south-east of Berlin, which is not allowed to leave the city, Medina confused with the 12-th army wreath to the west of the city (S.418).
telling about Jivi Medina tells us: «Also of Russian prisoners of war formed engineer company. Hopefully, it is understandable why. Minesweeper is wrong once in a lifetime. Especially if it is Russian sapper by the German - with a long wire and the watchful eye instead of mine detector » (S.303). Just in case: it is a German Infantry Division. Sappers in German PD were part of the assault groups and generally acted on the best weapons in their hands. Medina thesis about the actions within these units "Jivi" actually means that they participate in battle in the ranks of the enemy against his compatriots. Why, he wondered, was finish thinking? Again, this is illogical: "Jivi" may deliberately miss mine even finding it and attacking German tank erode. And he Jivi escape. But all these details in his head Medina did not come. one must dilute the presented data by some in his own words. Even if these words are - nonsense.
But the biggest dump in the Baska waited familiarity with statistics by Medina «September 8 Elninsky ledge, go into our defense, was cut. Five German divisions lost last week fighting in one area of the front - 45 thousand people. Now I ask a moment of attention. With the defeat of France and its entire army in the defeat of the British Expeditionary Force in France, the capture of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the German army lost 45,774 killed. That is the same as under Yelnia in September 1941 for a week - for the whole year (!) War in Europe » (p.151). There is just the case that I mentioned above: The new man is not able to distinguish truth from fiction in certain gaps in knowledge. Let's start with the fact that 45 thousand people is the Soviet proposal on enemy losses. And it sounds as follows: "Five fascist divisions in the area Yelnya suffered considerable damage. Loss them in manpower amounted to 45 thousand people "(article in Uige on Elnya). Note: the words "killed" in this phrase is not. Agitprop still knew when to stop, if only because that The authors have imagined the number of infantry divisions of Germans, on average, 15-16 thousand people. In the same VIZhevskoy article refers to the number of groups of Germans Yelnia under 70 thousand people. To 70 thousand people lost 45 thousand people at least theoretically possible (actually, this figure is too high). 45 thousand dead from Medina mean two to three times more wounded. Accordingly, grouping the 70 thousand people, five divisions, pressed to the west without the "pot" to bear such losses could not physically. And even the Soviet agitprop, for all his over-run on is not claimed. In Medina received serious factual errors and even perederg. Although when writing purely logically understand that the figures do not add up - you can. With minimal knowledge in the subject and care.
After Yelnya Medina took to new heights with the battle of Smolensk: «first - in the early months of the war - we went out to parity in casualties» (p.151). Of no par on losses in the summer of 1941 did not could be no question. You could just think about the head and assumed (based on their own vvodzhnyh abstracts) that if the final figure we have 1:1 (it's not, but even such an introduction you can find incoherence) , summer 1941, we suffered defeat in 1944-45. were made and many prisoners, most likely at the beginning of loss exceeded the German, but in the end - on the contrary. On balancing the final figures.
"Friendship" Medina with logic and statistics, continues throughout the narrative: «Occupation Norway cost Germany 1,317 people killed. Capture of Greece - 1484 people. Poland - 10 572.
Only in one area of the Eastern Front, stretching from Karelia to the Black Sea, within only three weeks at Moscow from December 6 to December 27, 1941 - German army has lost 120 000 people were killed » (S.387).
First Urlanis, from which it derived the figure of 120 thousand people. (Thanks
paul_atrydes for pointing out the source) says about the German army as a whole and not one sector of the Soviet-German Front. Medina is surely enhances agitprop (a study Urlanis is a product of the Soviet era with all its plusses and minuses) and narrows loss 120 thousand to fight under Moscow's Army Group Center. " Secondly, if you include the logic and common sense (the idea of search properly and securely no-agitpropovskuyu figure I do not even consider it for agitators too difficult), then 120 thousand people. Month in GA "center" seem excessive quantity. See above about Yelnya: should still be two to three times more wounded, sick and missing (tsifir something we are dead). As a result, from about 1 million people. number of HA "Center" in December 1941 to January should stay horns and legs. Especially considering that the losses are primarily the responsibility of the front line, but they are not 100% the number of even divisions, not to mention much about the army or army group. Why did the Soviet offensive in front of the cool corpse GA "Center" in early 1942, gradually stopped - is unclear. Most of 120 thousand people killed like 117 thousand killed in the IV quarter of 1941 from Overmansa. This entire German army on the eastern front, and not the GA Center. And it would be strange in the evacuation Industry and sitting on a starvation diet of artillery have losses in the ratio 1:1. And the numbers are in open sources, such as Reinhardt wrote In December, losing army group reached 103 thousand people ...". However, the reader Medina reported unaudited agitpropovskie figures. About the same - From airplanes. Medina wrote: «On the first day of the war - June 22, 1941 - the Germans lost 300 planes. More than any of her other days. In early September, 1941 they calculated: Russian has already shot down the same number of aircraft with which the Germans started the war » (S.402). First, even agitprop indicated more than 300 figures for Kursk Bulge summer of 1943 so that "More than any of her other days" - is wrong even in terms of agitprop. June 22 was not and could not be domes of German losses in the air. Secondly, according to German documents June 22, 1941 deadweight loss (combat and noncombat) Luftwaffe were 78 aircraft, general - 167 cars (ie, including damaged and maintainability). "In early September 1941, they counted: Russian has already shot down the same number of aircraft with which the Germans started the war" (S.402). They are who? Murray gives the loss for the entire 1941 from the effects of enemy aircraft destroyed in 2849, 475 damaged and not restored and 402 damaged, but to be restored. A war they started with 3,470 aircraft. In general, in early September, "" Russian shot down "is not vytantsovyvaetsya. Until June 22, the loss of the Luftwaffe, too, were. Turnover of losses in September could relate to an individual who suffered more than any other subdivision. Persuade the reader that in 1941 everything was fine - at least mnshey strange. It was like bad times, which resulted in concrete results: the boilers at Smolensk, Kiev, Uman, etc. In general, resistance. Anyway, for such posts of with the conversion of 45 thousand to 45 thousand total killed to use the book Medina as a source of statistical information, I would not recommend it.
There are just a "nice" adding to the three A. On pages 578-581 Medina painstakingly reproduces nasty fudge Faust pro fight on the German island of Ruegen in boarding between different Soviet units, scouts and infantry. The author of "War" eye caught the "Tank Battalion 372 th Division. Well there was in 1945 in the infantry divisions tank battalions. Therefore, given the type of document without imprint it Faust fiction. Which happily for some reason pulled into the mouth Medina.
In general, the book Medina the war has left more negative than positive impression. It's never an analog BS Takman to WWII. With the release of Soviet agitprop most citizens had the opportunity to learn earlier. And now it is possible, too, and with the expenditure of far less money than asking for a "war" in which the degree of agitprop was upgraded to a noble madness. Nonsense and illogicality is hardly necessary to someone, I think. In general, ticky-tacky product for a lot of money, which we squeeze through a massive advertising campaign.
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