Rating: 
Summary: Ideal WW2 history of a battle
Review: "Seven Days" starts with a brief history of the 6th SS Mtn Div's battles in Northern Finland (with and against the Finns!), then segues into NORDWIND, the German counteroffensive into the Vosges on 1/1/45. It focuses on the fight for Wingen.This book is the ideal history of a battle because the author a) participated in it on the German side, b) conducted thorough research on available German and American documents, and c) spoke to survivors on both sides. As a result, you know exactly who attacked who, what each side thought, you know of all communication and intelligence successes and failures, and you have an appreciation for the battlefield bravery and humanity shown by each side. This book illustrates some larger lessons about the German and American fighting qualities, including German infiltration tactics, the performance of poorly trained German volksgrenadiers, American tactical habits, and the disadvantage of the US Task Forces thrown into the line as a stopgap before the complete divisions were available. If you like World War 2 history, this book is ideal.
Rating:
Summary: Resurrection of a Mountain Division
Review: Although the 6th SS-Mountain Division "Nord" may chiefly interest American readers because of its action during Op NORDWIND against the US Army in the Low Vosges, it mostly saw combat on the Soviet-Finnish front. As the book sums this up "Nord" was in combat against the Red Army for 1 214 days and against the US Army for 92 days. Thus it is only logical that the fighting in the Arctic and Subarctic is covered in a prelude (47 of the book's 304 pages).
The book's author "Nord"-veteran Wolf T. Zoepf makes it crystal clear just how great an embarrasment his division's first action was. In the author's words: "(...)a first-class debâcle that stigmatized the entire division within the German Armed Forces for about a year".
But then, the chaotic conduct of "Nord" in the summer or '41 was to be expected as the author provides numerous examples of how unprepared in the extreme his unit was for any type of action, let alone fighting in the roadless taiga. In Zoepf's words: "The division's artillery had fired just once and never in coordination with the infantry. Similarly, infantry leaders had never worked in concert with artillery. The antitank gunners had never fired their weapons, nor had the antiaircraft gunners."
It seems almost miraculous how "Nord" in spite of its disastrous baptism of fire could evolve into the superb fighting machine it became in 1943. But, as the author points out, the US "Big Red One" Ist Infantry Division went through a similarly sorry start in North Africa.
Zoepf explains how the effectively dissolved "Nord" started anew (the personnel turnover was almost 100% in some units the fall of 1941) with the help of Finnish expertise. The book's description of how the division was reorganized and equipped will keep even the combat-focused readers interested as Zoepf is an intriguing teacher in most aspects of land warfare.
The book is at its best in the main section dealing with Operation NORDWIND against US forces as the author has been able to benefit of the records and also veterans of the opposing side. One could wish that he had been able to do the same kind of research on the Soviet, now Russian, side but this would of course have demanded special language skills and was until very recently simply not feasible.
This reader does not share the author's conviction regarding the truth behind the destruction of the Finnish city of Rovaniemi (I'd say the truth has not yet been established). I would also have liked to have learnt more about Zoepf himself from his writing but this does not bring down the total value of the book. Anyone interested of the Eastern Front, the final battles in the west or the Waffen-SS will be richly rewarded by reading this book. The superb maps and many insights into wilderness adaptation are of use in the training of today's and, I venture to say, even tomorrow's soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: Resurrection of a Mountain Division
Review: Although the 6th SS-Mountain Division "Nord" may chiefly interest American readers because of its action during Op NORDWIND against the US Army in the Low Vosges, it mostly saw combat on the Soviet-Finnish front. As the book sums this up "Nord" was in combat against the Red Army for 1 214 days and against the US Army for 92 days. Thus it is only logical that the fighting in the Arctic and Subarctic is covered in a prelude (47 of the book's 304 pages).
The book's author "Nord"-veteran Wolf T. Zoepf makes it crystal clear just how great an embarrasment his division's first action was. In the author's words: "(...)a first-class debâcle that stigmatized the entire division within the German Armed Forces for about a year".
But then, the chaotic conduct of "Nord" in the summer or '41 was to be expected as the author provides numerous examples of how unprepared in the extreme his unit was for any type of action, let alone fighting in the roadless taiga. In Zoepf's words: "The division's artillery had fired just once and never in coordination with the infantry. Similarly, infantry leaders had never worked in concert with artillery. The antitank gunners had never fired their weapons, nor had the antiaircraft gunners."
It seems almost miraculous how "Nord" in spite of its disastrous baptism of fire could evolve into the superb fighting machine it became in 1943. But, as the author points out, the US "Big Red One" Ist Infantry Division went through a similarly sorry start in North Africa.
Zoepf explains how the effectively dissolved "Nord" started anew (the personnel turnover was almost 100% in some units the fall of 1941) with the help of Finnish expertise. The book's description of how the division was reorganized and equipped will keep even the combat-focused readers interested as Zoepf is an intriguing teacher in most aspects of land warfare.
The book is at its best in the main section dealing with Operation NORDWIND against US forces as the author has been able to benefit of the records and also veterans of the opposing side. One could wish that he had been able to do the same kind of research on the Soviet, now Russian, side but this would of course have demanded special language skills and was until very recently simply not feasible.
This reader does not share the author's conviction regarding the truth behind the destruction of the Finnish city of Rovaniemi (I'd say the truth has not yet been established). I would also have liked to have learnt more about Zoepf himself from his writing but this does not bring down the total value of the book. Anyone interested of the Eastern Front, the final battles in the west or the Waffen-SS will be richly rewarded by reading this book. The superb maps and many insights into wilderness adaptation are of use in the training of today's and, I venture to say, even tomorrow's soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I agree with the previous reviews, i.e. this book is a great combination of personal first hand accounts and tactical and strategic narrative supplemented by plenty of maps (unfortunately not many photos). It is sad that Mr. Zoepf passed away before he knew how much readers liked his book.
Rating:
Summary: Uniquely Informative and Interesting
Review: I must politely disagree with Mannie below about this book. He notes a third of the book deals with the 6th's experiences in Finland. In fact it is less than 20%. Moreover, the Finland material is valuable for two reasons. First, there is very little writing on the German Army's experiences in Finland, and this firsthand account is fascinating. Second, understanding the strong arctic training of the 6th gives a valuable context for understanding their role and performance in NORDWIND. In fact, unlike the Ardennes Offensive, wherein badly mauled, hastily rejuvenated panzer divisions were committed into terrain completely unsuited for armor, in NORDWIND, a properly equipped, full-strength mountain infantry unit comprised of long-service veterans of years of fighting in arctic conditions was committed to a mission perfectly suited for it. This sure didn't happen very often in the 1944-1945 period! Yet despite this they were ultimately unsuccessful. This record of their history is, I would argue, valuable for understanding the performance of the men of the 6th in this battle. Besides, it is fgascinating reading! There is almost no other source for accounts of this battle, since SS veterans were reluctant to write memoirs. Let me also correct a misinterpretation which might arise from Mannie's comments, though he doesn't make this assertion himself. Contrary to myth and persistent misunderstanding, this was NOT part of the Ardennes Offensive, nor was it launched after the Ardennes Offensive was over. NORDWIND was intended to provide a synergistic complement to Army Group B's efforts in the Ardennes, by distracting the Americans' focus away from the Ardennes, and by physically and politically splitting the Franco-American allied efforts in Alsace. Zoepf is very clear about all of this, and provides an entire separate section about the intent and planning for NORDWIND. Soime mnight find this dull, but I found it absolutely illuminating. The introductory portions are imperative to understand the context of the offensive and its participants. Plus they have greast stories. Even the introduction is necessary because it shows a general from the American side confirming the most controversial assertions in this book, that SS soldiers and medical personnel treated US POWs with professional compassion. This was no group of thugs at Malmedy! For a campaign history, this is unusually fun to read, due to the writers's personnel involvement, his broad range of experience, the unexpected behavior of both American and German participants, and the awesome maps. I've seldom read a book with so many maps which are so clear, so informative, and so well-placed. Many look to me to be computer generated with actual topographic data (not approximations or artist's conceptions), with the military graphics very clear and easy to follow. So I found every part of Seven Days informative, interesting, and relevant to its theme of documenting the experiences of the 6th in NORDWIND. Anyone with any interest in the European Theater of Operations should find this book a nearly completely new story.
Rating:
Summary: Uniquely Informative and Interesting
Review: I must politely disagree with Mannie below about this book. He notes a third of the book deals with the 6th's experiences in Finland. In fact it is less than 20%. Moreover, the Finland material is valuable for two reasons. First, there is very little writing on the German Army's experiences in Finland, and this firsthand account is fascinating. Second, understanding the strong arctic training of the 6th gives a valuable context for understanding their role and performance in NORDWIND. In fact, unlike the Ardennes Offensive, wherein badly mauled, hastily rejuvenated panzer divisions were committed into terrain completely unsuited for armor, in NORDWIND, a properly equipped, full-strength mountain infantry unit comprised of long-service veterans of years of fighting in arctic conditions was committed to a mission perfectly suited for it. This sure didn't happen very often in the 1944-1945 period! Yet despite this they were ultimately unsuccessful. This record of their history is, I would argue, valuable for understanding the performance of the men of the 6th in this battle. Besides, it is fgascinating reading! There is almost no other source for accounts of this battle, since SS veterans were reluctant to write memoirs. Let me also correct a misinterpretation which might arise from Mannie's comments, though he doesn't make this assertion himself. Contrary to myth and persistent misunderstanding, this was NOT part of the Ardennes Offensive, nor was it launched after the Ardennes Offensive was over. NORDWIND was intended to provide a synergistic complement to Army Group B's efforts in the Ardennes, by distracting the Americans' focus away from the Ardennes, and by physically and politically splitting the Franco-American allied efforts in Alsace. Zoepf is very clear about all of this, and provides an entire separate section about the intent and planning for NORDWIND. Soime mnight find this dull, but I found it absolutely illuminating. The introductory portions are imperative to understand the context of the offensive and its participants. Plus they have greast stories. Even the introduction is necessary because it shows a general from the American side confirming the most controversial assertions in this book, that SS soldiers and medical personnel treated US POWs with professional compassion. This was no group of thugs at Malmedy! For a campaign history, this is unusually fun to read, due to the writers's personnel involvement, his broad range of experience, the unexpected behavior of both American and German participants, and the awesome maps. I've seldom read a book with so many maps which are so clear, so informative, and so well-placed. Many look to me to be computer generated with actual topographic data (not approximations or artist's conceptions), with the military graphics very clear and easy to follow. So I found every part of Seven Days informative, interesting, and relevant to its theme of documenting the experiences of the 6th in NORDWIND. Anyone with any interest in the European Theater of Operations should find this book a nearly completely new story.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent case study of small unit tactics
Review: Seven Days in January is primarily a look at the 6th SS Mountain Division's commitment to the last German offensive on the Western Front in World War II. Operation Nordwind (North Wind) is a forgotten battle, as most histories of the war dispense with the Battle of the Bulge by the end of 1944, and then skip to events on the Eastern Front, particularly the upcoming events in Hungary. Nordwind is lost in this time warp, but, as Zoepf shows, that didn't make the combat any less fierce. The attack, set in the Vosges mountains, pitted several Volksgrenadier divisions and most of the 6th SS Mountain Division against a thin line of American units, mostly from the 70th Infantry Division (although later on other units, particularly the 45th Infantry Division, played important roles).
Zoepf begins his book by devoting a significant number of pages to the division's exploits in Finland against the Soviets. Given the title of the book, I was surprised to find that almost 20% of it is devoted to these actions. The information is interesting, though, and ultimately informs the reader about how the division would be able to perform against the Americans in the Vosges. Given the mountainous terrain, the snow, and the cold, it's no wonder that the Germans sought to employ the 6th SS Mtn Division, since they had a wealth of experience from their combat along the Arctic Circle.
Significant portions of the book are devoted to the planning of Nordwind. Zoepf does an excellent job in assessing the situation, and analyzing the combat resources that the Germans committed and the resultant likelihood of success. He critiques the overall mission in the first place, arguing that the German military situation was such that any attack would be of dubious value. More specifically, he argues that unrealistic goals were given to units that did not have the resources to meet them. Volksgrenadier divisions, for example, were organized for defense, not for the attack; they lacked enough infantry units, and their organic units were not mobile (instead relying upon foot marches or horse-drawn wagons). Or take Zoepf's own division: much of it had not even reached Germany, and was still en-route from the long retreat out of Finland. He also faults the overall lack of intelligence regarding US positions and units. Finally, he criticizes the decision to hold the armor back, in order to wait for a breakthrough, when units on the front sorely needed the protection of tanks and assault guns.
On the American side, Zoepf is critical of the US forces' almost complete lack of intelligence about the upcoming situation. Furthermore, a significant portion of the line was manned by recon units outfitted only with ineffective armored cars, jeeps, and not nearly enough infantry. Once again, it seems, the US defenders were caught off guard. Indeed, many US soldiers literally were caught asleep in their sleeping bags! Poor unit discipline, lack of intelligence information, and inadequate combat power meant that a huge gap was torn in the American front line almost right away. The key unit that utilized this hole was the 6th SS Mountain Division.
The second and third battalions of the 12th Regiment (the author was part of the third battalion) infiltrated other US positions, and overran rear-area and HQ troops in the town of Wingen (the 6th SS division objective). The rest of the book is then devoted to the US efforts to eject the SS troops from the town, as well the efforts to restore the situation generally by repairing the breach in the line.
Zoepf describes the combat with clear, concise detail, on a day by day or hour by hour basis. The actions of even very small units such as individual companies or platoons are very easy to follow. The author effortlessly switches between descriptions of small-unit combat in Wingen with larger-picture descriptions of combat elsewhere in the region between regiments belonging to other divisions on both sides. 36 (yes, 36) maps are included, which make following the action very easy. Many of the maps of Wingen are detailed enough to identify individual buildings, roads, and other features such as the cemetery and key railroad bridges. Zoepf also provides, at the end of each chapter, an assessment of the combat that took place. This is very interesting, and he pulls no punches in describing the failures and mistakes of both the Germans and the Americans.
In a nutshell: Fascinating detail, clearly described battles, and exciting suspense. Seven Days in January won't take you seven days to read.
Rating:
Summary: Battle for Wingen
Review: Seven Days in January, by Wolfe T. Zoepf is a spectacular book written by the German point of view of the battle in the Lower Vosges during late 1944/early 1945. This is a battle few people know, or none the less hear about, but was important nonetheless. Tragically, Mr. Zoepf died shortly after the book was completed, but his story is excellent to say the least. As the book mostly covered the preparations and battle for Wingen-sur-Molders in January 1945, a small portion of the book is covered dealing with the evolution of the 6th SS Mountain Division "NORD" during the years of 1941-1944 where it was heavily engaged on the eastern front. However, the background info covers the transformation of NORD from a division heavily mauled in 1941, into a battle hardened formation, and one of the best in the German order of battle by 1944. The majority of the book covers the battle for Wingen-sur-Molders. Zoepf goes about telling his story in an excellent manner. He describes the tactics, shortcomings, strengths, and differences in command structure of both German and American forces during the battle. As each day progresses during the course of the book, he describes the preparations for each day's fighting followed by the actual story of the day's events. Once the day's fighting is complete, he delves into the intelligence flaws of each side (i.e. the Americans believing they were facing merely 50 german soldiers and the Germans losing their radio car and fighting with virtually no contact with the outside world to know the progress of the rest of the battle in the Lower Vosges) and the plans for the next day, etc. Another intersting point of this book is the respect both German and American soldiers pay their opponents while telling their story. There are numerous examples in the book where Germans and Americans have nothing but admiration for the spirit, courage, and determination of their opponents. Readers will also be intrigued by the various stories of the joint first aid station set up and staffed by soldiers from both sides (although the American doctors and medics were prisoners of war by this time, they still cared for all wounded equally) who cared for soldiers from both sides equally and fairly. Zoepf also tells the story of the declining quality of the German units by this point of the war and the drastic effect the loss of experienced officers and NCOs has on military units, well-equipped or not. He also points out the flaws in the American concept of placing Task Groups as "plugs" in their line, especially when an integral part of their formation (artillery in this case) was still back in the US training while the Task Force in the story had to rely on artillery from another US Division. The stories of soldiers from both sides during this battle is what tells the story so well. It is they, and their courage Mr. Zoepf pays tribute to in his book. The respect amongst veterans of the units who participated in the battle is so strong, the one time enemies are now friends and have celebrated together several times. "Seven Days in January" is an excellent read for anyone interested in learning more about the Battle for the Lower
Vosges, the 6th SS Mountain Divison "NORD", or the US 70th Infantry Division "Thunderbirds".
Rating:
Summary: Battle for Wingen
Review: Seven Days in January, by Wolfe T. Zoepf is a spectacular book written by the German point of view of the battle in the Lower Vosges during late 1944/early 1945. This is a battle few people know, or none the less hear about, but was important nonetheless. Tragically, Mr. Zoepf died shortly after the book was completed, but his story is excellent to say the least. As the book mostly covered the preparations and battle for Wingen-sur-Molders in January 1945, a small portion of the book is covered dealing with the evolution of the 6th SS Mountain Division "NORD" during the years of 1941-1944 where it was heavily engaged on the eastern front. However, the background info covers the transformation of NORD from a division heavily mauled in 1941, into a battle hardened formation, and one of the best in the German order of battle by 1944. The majority of the book covers the battle for Wingen-sur-Molders. Zoepf goes about telling his story in an excellent manner. He describes the tactics, shortcomings, strengths, and differences in command structure of both German and American forces during the battle. As each day progresses during the course of the book, he describes the preparations for each day's fighting followed by the actual story of the day's events. Once the day's fighting is complete, he delves into the intelligence flaws of each side (i.e. the Americans believing they were facing merely 50 german soldiers and the Germans losing their radio car and fighting with virtually no contact with the outside world to know the progress of the rest of the battle in the Lower Vosges) and the plans for the next day, etc. Another intersting point of this book is the respect both German and American soldiers pay their opponents while telling their story. There are numerous examples in the book where Germans and Americans have nothing but admiration for the spirit, courage, and determination of their opponents. Readers will also be intrigued by the various stories of the joint first aid station set up and staffed by soldiers from both sides (although the American doctors and medics were prisoners of war by this time, they still cared for all wounded equally) who cared for soldiers from both sides equally and fairly. Zoepf also tells the story of the declining quality of the German units by this point of the war and the drastic effect the loss of experienced officers and NCOs has on military units, well-equipped or not. He also points out the flaws in the American concept of placing Task Groups as "plugs" in their line, especially when an integral part of their formation (artillery in this case) was still back in the US training while the Task Force in the story had to rely on artillery from another US Division. The stories of soldiers from both sides during this battle is what tells the story so well. It is they, and their courage Mr. Zoepf pays tribute to in his book. The respect amongst veterans of the units who participated in the battle is so strong, the one time enemies are now friends and have celebrated together several times. "Seven Days in January" is an excellent read for anyone interested in learning more about the Battle for the Lower
Vosges, the 6th SS Mountain Divison "NORD", or the US 70th Infantry Division "Thunderbirds".
Rating:
Summary: Great View of NORDWIND
Review: The author gives a great blow-by-blow account of the NORDWIND offensive. The book details the action of his 12 SS regiment and provides a great overview of the entire offensive from the German and American side. I remember years ago reading newspaper editorials castigating US soldiers for attending a reunion with SS soldiers who participated in NORDWIND. But this was not a "typical" SS unit. Pictures of the reunion in the book sparked this memory. After reading the book, one can understand why two foes could one day reunite. The book starts with an unnecessary synopsis of its' service in far northern Russia. The history added little to the book and is better recounted elsewhere (Ziemke). I would have greatly liked to see a history of the unit after NORDWIND. The author may have intended this, but died before publication. But the account of NORDWIND is superb; the story of the author's capture is remarkable, also. This is a well-researched book providing a low-level view of the battle. One shares in the author's arduous, but successful, coup de main that turned into a struggle for survival, and ultimately defeat.
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