All map work is original, save for the Château outline, which derives from a public domain handout.
Particular thanks go to Steen Ammentorp, who is responsible for the wonderful www.generals.dk site, which is a superb place to visit in search of details on generals of all nations. The site had proven invaluable in compiling many of the biographies dealing with the Senior officers found these books.
If I have missed anyone, or any agency, I apologise and promise to rectify the omission at the earliest opportunity.
This then is the second offering to satisfy the ‘what if’s’ of those times.
Book #1 – Opening Moves [Chapters 1-54]
Book#2 – Breakthrough [Chapters 55-77]
Author’s Note
The correlation between the Allied and Soviet forces is difficult to assess for a number of reasons.
Neither side could claim that their units were all at full strength, and information on the relevant strengths over the period this book is set in, is limited as far as the Allies are concerned, and relatively non-existent for the Soviet forces.
I have had to use some licence regarding force strengths and I hope that the critics will not be too harsh with me if I get things wrong in that regard. A Soviet Rifle Division could vary in strength from the size of two thousand men to be as high as nine thousand men, and in some special cases, could be even more.
Indeed, the very names used do not help the reader to understand, unless they are already knowledgeable.
A prime example is the Corps. For the British and US forces, a Corps was a collection of Divisions and Brigades directly subservient to an Army. A Soviet Corps, such as the 2nd Guards Tank Corps, bore no relation to a unit such as British XXX Corps. The 2nd G.T.C. was a Tank Division by another name, and this difference in ‘naming’ continues to the Soviet Army, which was more akin to the Allied Corps.
The Army Group was mirrored by the Soviet Front.
Going down from the Corps, the differences continue, where a Russian rifle division should probably be more looked at as the equivalent of a US Infantry regiment or British Infantry Brigade, although this was not always the case. The decision to leave the correct nomenclature in place was made early on. In that, I felt that those who already possess knowledge would not become disillusioned, and that those who were new to the concept could acquire knowledge that would stand them in good stead when reading factual accounts of WW2.
There are also some difficulties encountered with ranks. Some readers may feel that a certain battle would have been left in the command of a more senior rank, and the reverse case, where seniors seem to have few forces under their authority. Casualties will have played their part but, particularly in the Soviet Army, seniority and rank was a complicated affair, sometimes with Colonels in charge of Divisions larger than those commanded by a General.
It is easier for me to attach a chart to give the reader a rough guide of how the ranks equate.
Book Dedication
This book is dedicated to two men with whom I was fortunate to serve in my former uniformed years within Royal Berkshire Fire Brigade, as it was once known.
Firstly, Divisional Officer Ken Reed, footballing expert and man’s man, who was the finest leader of men I encountered in thirty-two years in the service; a courageous and humble man whom I greatly admire. Without him I might have been left floundering in the early days.
Secondly, Harry ‘Hit it where it shines’ Woolhouse, gnarled ex-London fireman and snooker player, who courageously stood up and was counted. You acted to my great benefit when the liars’ voices were raised and my back was to the wall. Harry, you conducted yourself with great honesty and integrity, and I never got to say thank you. So I say ‘thank you’ now.
Although I never served in the Armed forces, I wore a uniform with pride, and still carry my own long term injuries from the demands of my service. My admiration for our young servicemen and women, serving in all our names in dangerous areas throughout the world, is limitless.
As a result, ‘Combat Stress’ is a charity that is extremely close to my heart. My fictitious characters carry no real-life heartache with them, whereas every news bulletin from the military stations abroad brings a terrible reality with its own impact, angst and personal challenges for those who wear our country’s uniform.
Therefore, I make regular donations to ‘Combat Stress’ and would encourage you to do so too.
My thanks to…
The purpose of this series is to inform the reader about the soldiers who fought in those desperate times that followed the Soviet invasion of the western half of Germany.
In order to ensure that I have balance, I spoke to many veterans of that conflict, men and women, who paraded under different flags, and faced each other across the no man’s land divide.
This is a work about human beings, and their capacity to endure. In that regard, the books can sometimes depict matters graphically, the better to illustrate what our forefathers dealt with.
It is my hope that I have not judged, only reflected faithfully their actions, and more importantly, their spirit and courage, regardless of the colour of their uniform.
I confess that I have occasionally had to use some license to fill in small gaps in events, or, where conflicting accounts exist, I have examined the facts and make a judgement on how best to present disputed events to the reader.
It is a fact that bravery knows no national boundaries, and that the other side always have their honourable and courageous men too. I hope that I have reflected that, and done due honour to all those about whom I have written here.
The events which brought me to write the ‘Red Gambit’ series have been outlined previously, as have the major contributions of some of the more important characters.
My grateful thanks have already been offered up to the families of John Ramsey, Rolf Uhlmann, Ernst-August Knocke and Marion J. Crisp. The contribution made by Vladimir Stelmakh cannot be overestimated, and the value of the personal documents of Arkady Yarishlov was immense.
I am indebted to those members of the French Deuxieme Bureau who risked much to ensure that their colleagues received the laurels they deserved, as I am to the Foreign Legion librarians and personnel of all origins, who gave me all the information I asked for, and helped me understand the espirit de corps of one of the world’s prime combat formations.
I deliberately did not include some others in my first book. I omitted them to try and maintain some suspense for the reader who does not know everything of those times. I make amends now.
Tsali Sagonegi Yona gave me much assistance, but modestly played down his role in certain momentous actions. It fell to his proud family and the keepers of his Aniyunwiya tribal heritage to enlighten me on his full contribution to the events of which I write.
Lieutenant-General Sam Rossiter USMC [Retd] proved a mine of information, not only on the clandestine world of special operations, but also on the machinations of SHAEF that escaped description by the formal historians and, on occasion, by Eisenhower himself. Semper Fi!
Pompeia Collins was a very formidable lady, and she gave me everything I could ask for, and more, regarding her adopted son’s war. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could see stories of her Julius in print.
Access to the personal papers of Roberto Di Castillio de Sangre proved of great assistance, and introductions to a number of veteran’s helped fill in many blanks regarding the Spanish involvement.