June 22, 1941. The Invasion of Russia. For the first time, this operation is seen in full color through the eyes of German Medical Officer, Lieutenant Herman Turk. During his time with the 3rd Panzer Division, he kept a written and visual record of his experiences.The armored division attacked near Brest-Litovsk and continued on to engage in fierce fighting at the Beresina and Dniepr. Dr. Turk continued his diary as the division then turned southward to close the Kiev pocket and prepare for the assault on Moscow. In these insightful and unvarnished entries, he described the advance on Orel and the inevitable arrival of the unforgiving Russian winter.

To illustrate these events, he took over 450 color slides, as well as b&w photos. A remarkable undertaking, as his duties tending the wounded and dying were surely overwhelming at times. At the end of 1941, the advance halted within sight of the Soviet capital. Both photos and writing ceased at this time as well, as Dr. Turk was severely wounded. From this amazing collection, the publisher has chosen 230 color images and 200 b&w photos. Together with the diary entries, what emerges is a unique journal from an unusual perspective.