Battle for the Ruhr

The German Army's Final Defeat in the West

By: Derek S. Zumbro

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

With Allied armies poised on the banks of the Rhine, Nazi Germany tottered on the brink of collapse. The ensuing battles on German soil - especially those in the so-called Ruhr Pocket - were as fierce and hard-fought as any in the European theater. Going well beyond previous accounts, Derek S. Zumbro chronicles this key military campaign from a unique and fresh perspective - that of the defeated German soldiers and civilians caught in the final maelstrom of the war's Western front.

Best known for his translation of In Deadly Combat, the best-selling World War II memoir, Zumbro chronicles the relentless assault on the Ruhr Pocket through German eyes as the Allied juggernaut battered the region's cities, villages, and homes into submission. He tells of children pressed into service by a desperate Nazi regime - and of even more desperate parents trying to save their sons from sacrifice at the 11th hour. He also tells of unspeakable conditions suffered by foreign laborers, POWs, and political opponents in the Ruhr Valley and of the mass graves that gave Allied soldiers a grisly new understanding of their enemy.

Zumbro also recounts the story of Field Marshal Walter Model's final hours. His eventual suicide effectively ended the existence of the Wehrmacht's once-formidable Army Group B after being pursued, methodically encircled, and finally destroyed by US and British forces. Through interviews with surviving members of Model's former staff, Zumbro has uncovered the attitudes - and harrowing experiences - of beleaguered officers that official records could never convey.

Other interviews with former soldiers reveal the extent to which Allied bombing contributed to the rapid deterioration of German combat effectiveness and tell of civilians begging soldiers to abandon the war. Zumbro's deep research reveals the identities of specific characters discussed in previous works but never identified, describes the final hours of German officers executed for the loss of the bridge at Remagen, and offers new insight into Model's acquiescence to Hitler in military affairs.

By taking us inside the firsthand experiences and memories of Germans from Reichsmarshals to Burgermeisters, Battle for the Ruhr gives a profound and harrowing ground-level view of the enormous destructive power of war.

©2006 The University Press of Kansas (P)2019 Tantor

One of the best of the many books I’ve read about WWII

As a trained historian I can appreciate the extensive and meticulous research that gave this book it’s very personal and human perspective of a major military event. Excellent writing brought the research to life.

From the German point of view.

It always interesting how other nations see the American kind of war. Very worthwhile reading.

Lots of good research

It is been written that the Germans are so different than the rest of Europe, because they defeated those three Roman legions in the forest. The true amazing thing is, twice in one man’s lifetime. They came close to domineering the world,

Excellent read

Very well written interesting compelling and factual look at the good the bad and the ugly of warfare on the Western front of World War II, and it’s impact on the livesOf people who lived in the war torn communities of Europe.

Good story from the German perspective

Once you get past the front material ( a bit dry, but it sets up the story) the remainder is interesting. Excellent description of individual German soldier and civilian views. It is particularly interesting to hear how the American forces conducted themselves as the war came to a close.

Detailed thorough narrative

If already a WWII buff, you will like the detail. My first best accounting of the German civilian side of the last stages of the war. Didn’t expect this much narrative of individual soldiers officers, town leaders etc but once I settled into what this book was; I was taken by the journey it offered. Surprised.

A fine story and narration

I do not understand the criticism of the narration. I believe the narrator did a fine job in a very difficult reading in two languages Perhaps changing the speed of the narration might help.
Regarding the story: God bless the American troops.
And....imagine if the situation were reversed and Enemy tanks were coming down the road in YOUR home town. Makes a person think.

Excellent day-to-day descriptions

Narration is mostly clear and acceptable, but the narrator’s tendency to drop his voice at the end of sentences enthuses listeners not the least.

Content comprised of rank-and-file recounting and detailed descriptions of desperate fighting.

Particular attention is given defenders’ and citizens’ sufferings, but without lionizing fanatic
Nazism.

Very enlightening.

Very engrosing. If one has been to this area of Germany it is easier to follow along with the descriptions of terrain

Great book

Always interesting to hear the other side’s experiences. More details about specific locations as well I think because it was the German perspective. Loved it!