No war in history is comparable to the magnitude of sacrifice of the men and women who were embroiled on the Eastern Front. By the time the war in Russia had started to turn in favor of the Red Army during the summer of 1943, millions of Soviet soldiers and civilians had perished. The Red Army slowly adapted to offensive operations, whilst the Germans were forced to diversify on the battlefield and switch to a fighting withdrawal and a defensive posture until the eventual demise of the Third Reich. The Casemate Illustrated series explores key elements of military history. Extensively illustrated with photographs, maps, and color profiles of tanks, aircraft, and other vehicles, each volume provides a wealth of visual detail. Profiles of key individuals and units, a timeline, and explanatory text boxes support the narrative, which provides a clear overview of the battle or campaign and the experience of the forces involved.