How many have read Ivan's War, by Cathrine Merridale? It is an attempt to describe what it was like to serve in the Red Army in World War II-very brief, obviously enough, but there are a few details here. Unfortunatly it doesn't seem to have gotten much; the picture it gives is basically the legendary "steamroller". However it gives some minor details. Apparently, according to the author, Russian veterans don't talk as much about their experiences as those from other countries so it was a bit difficult. Still the picture was much like what I expected, perhaps suspiciously so. I don't think the author was lazy but it sounds like she had her work cut out for her. Still it is a first attempt in filling a great gap in historical knowledge. |