German WW2 Reviews

[Larso]

Tigers in the Mud by Otto Carius

Against his father’s advise, Carius volunteers for panzer service. Initially he is assigned to the 21st Pz Regt of the 20th Panzer Division. They operate Czech 38t tanks and Carius is firstly a loader. He can’t see much but the dust still finds him. He looses some teeth when his tank is knocked out. Worse was happening around him. Then there is the jolt that was the Russian T34. He sees a Luftwaffe Division disintegrate and learns some harsh lessons about war. In early 1943 he is transferred to the 500th Replacement Battalion to learn to operate the new Tiger tank.

The above is covered in less than 20 pages, so the great bulk of Carius’ account is about operating and commanding Tigers. Carius is part of C Co, 502nd Heavy Tank Battalion. He is in action on the Leningrad front where the terrain seems particularly unsuitable for such heavy vehicles. It was surprising how relatively minor damage could put these mighty tanks out of action. There are a few stories of note in the difficult retreat and with being cut-off.
The major actions in the book begin on the Narwa front. There are numerous actions trying to stave off Russian advances. There are frequent encounters with tanks, anti-tank guns and infantry. Usually the Germans are out-manned but the Tiger’s armour and gun allow many situations to be retrieved. As the war continues Carius is able to deploy these to their full potential and completely smash strong Russian tank formations. There are also reverses where command incompetence or Russian initiative cause significant loses. At the end, Carius is given command of a company of Jagdtigers and sent to oppose the Americans. These vehicles were surprisingly vulnerable and the fading morale of his troops means Carius is unable to use them to best effect.

The 502nd was one of Germany’s most successful Tiger battalions. A lot of this was due to Carius himself, so this memoir is very useful, as Carius recounts his thinking and planning of actions. While he inflicts considerable carnage, it is not a ‘blood and guts’ account. Certainly casualties and tragedies are suffered but the author’s focus is more on command when it comes to battle. He writes of his officers and his commanders, both the excellent and the fools. This is quite interesting. It is solidly written overall, though perhaps a bit dry at times. I enjoyed it but think I would’ve appreciated it more when I was a teenager. Still, highly recommended for its depiction of Tiger tanks in action on the Eastern Front. 4 stars

[Larso]

'At Leningrad’s Gates' by William Lubbeck

This is a very informative memoir by a soldier, later an officer who fought with the 58th Infantry Division. William grew up on a small farm in Eastern Germany. He writes of life at the time and its conservative style and innate respect for authority. It is informative to hear him explain how the Versailles Peace following WW1 left a deep mark on many people. There was more concern about Communism than the Nazis, who were seen as uncouth and tellingly, derived a lot of support from the less educated. Yet even though support was often luke-warm, it was enough to give Hitler the chance to ‘use democracy to destroy democracy’. Gradually the freedoms enjoyed by ordinary people were subsumed. Everyday things required approval, and families such as Lubbeck’s, who did not join the party or show support began to be victimised. This meant interference in business, church, school and the very real risk of arrest. William as a very young man was dubious of them himself but nonetheless found himself having to join in to some degree. He did, with many others, approve of Hitler’s achievements in creating jobs for the six million unemployed, regaining lost territories and rebuilding the army. It was a complicated time. There were benefits from the improving economy but horror at the increasing control over their lives and the racial agenda. It is a very interesting and informative part of the book.

William was not interested in farm life and was becoming an electrician instead. This had him in line for posting to a panzer unit but his call-up, just prior to the invasion of Poland, saw him posted to the heavy weapons (13th) company of the 154th Infantry Regiment. The unit participated in the invasion of France, which mainly meant a lot of marching for William. This continued with the subsequent attack on Russia. William’s unit is part of Army Group North and is probably fortunate to stay with it for much of the war. Even so, they fought in some epic battles on the Leningrad Front, the Volhov encirclement, the Demyansk pocket, Novgorad and places ever closer to Germany.

The 13th Company operated a mix of 75mm and 150mm howitzers. William was initially assigned to the communications platoon, but keen on being more involved, became an FO. It is astonishing how accurate the artillery could be. There are certainly plenty of Russian attacks made to practice on! William is particularly detailed on the life of soldiering. He is under fire a lot but there is also interesting observations made on food, drink, army organisation, sex, party officials and so on. A point William makes is very few German soldiers he knew were motivated by Hitler. Most, like himself, where simply patriotic Germans who fought for their country. They had faith in their generals and each other and even in victory into 1943. From here however, when Allied bombers began hitting Germany hard and the clearly declining military situation, concerns did begin to grow. William himself is sent to an officer academy for six months, returning to his company in May 44. He is made commander of it even. Ongoing Russian attacks steadily force the Germans back and William is very fortunate to escape by sea just before the end.

The last 20% of the book is about William and his new bride’s trials in post-war Germany and then their immigration to North America. Like everything else in this book, this was pretty interesting. In some ways this is one of the more clear eyed accounts by a WW2 German soldier. Six years of war had their effects too in terms of awful memories and guilt. The combat accounts here are good, though not too visceral. As a soldier, William did his duty (and a couple of his photos show that he completely looked the picture!) and indeed, sought to do his very best. He was of his time; Christian, patriotic and respectful of authority, only to find these attitudes completely exploited by the Nazis. It is shattering. 4 ¼ stars

[Larso]

'Blood Red Snow' by Gunter Koschorrek

Gunter Koschorrek always planned to write a book, so he kept notes and an eye out for experiences that warranted recounting. It is fortunate that much of this survived the war and turned up several decades later, as he has written one of the best accounts of combat on the Eastern Front I have encountered. It began in October 1942 when Gunter was sent to Stalingrad at the age of 18. He is extremely fortunate to be assigned to 1/21st, one of the mechanised infantry battalions of 24th Panzer division. He is based outside the city and used to run supplies in. These missions are increasingly dangerous and confused, with the delivery point sometimes only hazily known and Russian forces perhaps just yards away.

The attack that encircles the 6th Army is overwhelming. Gunter and a handful of others have the narrowest of escapes. There are also numerous desperate battles against Russian infantry and tanks. To me, Gunter’s account is one of the most vivid in terms of the detail of Russian attacks. There are the surges of infantry, tanks attacking trench lines, even face to face combat. The Russians are extremely determined and the German forces are steadily eroded until there is a collapse. Gunter also has an eye for weaponry and writes of the role of 20mm AA guns in support for instance.

There is more of this later in the book with operations involving flame thrower tanks, Ferdinands and Stukas. This is after a brief stint in France while the division is rebuilt and some time in Italy chasing partisans. Most of Gunter’s actions though involve him operating a machine-gun and aside from the tensions involved, there is quite a lot of interesting material on movement and positioning weapons. It was also fascinating to read of the effect of fog and snow on operations. Hearing ominous activity, while being unable to see a thing is stressful even reading about it! Most of it ends in very bloody violence and Gunter writes of the awful appearance of freshly killed enemies and comrades.

I am a great fan of ‘The Forgotten Soldier’ by Guy Sajer. I am aware of the criticisms made of it in recent years and can see the validity of some of these. I always thought the intensity of Sajer’s story stood out and wondered why this was so? Gunter’s account is the first German memoir that to me, conveys the Eastern Front in the same tone and manner. However, Gunter’s account seems more grounded in verifiable dates and events. It is almost diary like in places, while being a very cohesive account overall. He names his comrades too. There are some simply remarkable stories. This one is a must! 4 ½ stars

[Larso]

'An Infantryman in Stalingrad' by Adelbert Holl

Alderbert Holl was an officer with the 94th Division at Stalingrad. This book relates to his experiences as a company commander with 2/276 regiment in the attack and then encirclement of that epic battle. From September 1942, he records on virtually a daily basis his actions and orders in relation to the battles near the Volga. These include the organising of his men in assaults, defence and operating with tanks and Stugs. They certainly made a difference. It was also interesting reading about how they operated under the control of 24th Panzer division. The number of Russian prisoners taken was remarkable. The cost is immense though and his battalion is reduced to 20 or so men even before the massive Russian attack.

This edition has been translated by esteemed Stalingrad historian Jason Mark (and Neil Page). He has also drawn on his extensive files to provide an astonishing level of supporting material to Holl’s text. There are army and corps reports, casualty states, pictures of the actual streets and buildings mentioned and a footnote on virtually every other soldier that Holl writes about. It is probably the most fulsome memoir I have ever read in terms of the extent to which things are verified. There is so much included that the note font size was so small as to be hard to read!

While it is headed by dates, it does not read like a diary. There is a degree of tension as the situation deteriorates and the ongoing job of killing the enemy. I had thought it a bit dry early on but by the end, when winter had closed in fully and the survivors were starving it was quite compelling. Holl is one of many who endured because it was his duty to his country and men. Frustratingly it has an abrupt ending but then there is a subsequent book where Holl relates his seven years as a POW. Given all I’ve read here I wish he’d also written a book about his service prior to Stalingrad. 4 stars - 5 for the documentation and notes!

[Cult Icon]

I must second 'For Volk and Fuhrer' by Erwin Bartman as being very good. I think it is one of the best german soldier's memoirs and definitely the best Waffen SS memoir (if others can name something else, I'm all ears). Erwin Bartmann has two posts on AHF before he passed away and his memoir comes across as more insightful and complete than the other WSS memoirs.

I was surprised to see that it notes the Warsaw Ghetto and the use of LAH men by the SD to mass murder Jews. Also, the widespread sexual abundance enjoyed by LAH men, including sex/rape with foreign women (French, Ukrainian etc) and the use of SS or local brothels. Fritz Witt, who later trained/commanded the 12.SS hiter youth helped organize sexual services for his men! I also like the commentary on the officer/ nco relationships and the RK commanders.

[Larso]

'In Deadly Combat' by Gottlob Bidermann

Bidermann served with the antitank company of the 437th Regiment of the 132nd Infantry Division. He joins his unit as it is involved in battle in the Crimea. He operates with a 37mm anti-tank gun and surprisingly to me, this was often in an attack situation. The other surprising thing was that it was successful against the large Russian tanks. He writes in considerable detail about several such actions, where the pressure of very close quarter engagements is clear. The fighting overall in the Crimea was intense. The Soviets threw many thousands of men into attacks and the German victory must have been a very close run thing. Many of Bidermann’s comrades are killed along the way though.

After its Crimean stint the division is sent to the Leningrad Front in late 1942. Bidermann fights at Lake Ladoga, Gaitolovo and others. They face mass attacks and conduct increasingly desperate defence. Bidermann is now a junior officer and we hear his thoughts behind his orders. When he goes on leave mid 1943, he writes the division has suffered 4,520 KIA at that point in the war. I don’t believe any of the Western Allies had a division that suffered deaths to that extent.

Finally Bidermann finishes the war in the Courland. Again there is much desperate defence. The final days here are quite interesting, so too the first days of his imprisonment. There is then a lot on the tragedy of years as a POW in Russia. There are some stories where you almost weep. This said, it must be remembered it was far worse for many Soviet prisoners of the Germans.

Bidermann does write a lot about killing and personal combat. Indeed, as the war continues, his account gets grimmer. However given the scope of his service it was clear he had more to say on this if he’d chosen. His memoir is quite general in long patches, almost a regimental or divisional history at times. This is useful for situational awareness but again, Bidermann could’ve said more about his personal deeds. Interestingly, it is when he writes more generally that he can get a bit lurid in discussing battle. I felt he is more grounded when he reveals himself in the action. Overall, a very informative account of very front-line service - Highly Recommended! 4 stars

[Larso]

'For all it was worth' by B.R Teicher

This is Teicher’s detailed story of his life growing up in Germany before WW2, his service in the war and the years after, up to his immigration to South Africa. As with many stories by this generation there are some remarkable things to learn about life in a very different age.

Teicher’s childhood is addressed quite extensively. He was an only child of reasonably successful parents but life in pre-Hitler Germany was still very difficult. While the standard of living improved with Hitler, so too did the Nazification of life. Teicher is honest about being caught up in the process and details the various activities (Hitler Youth etc) he was involved in. His education of course was interrupted by the military situation and he even made it to officer school, only to be booted out for punching an annoying NCO!

The war is addressed from about page 150 and it comprises only the next 50 or so pages. There almost seemed to be more about Teicher’s activities as a POW than a combat soldier? The astonishing thing is, Teicher goes to Russia, fights at Kursk, where he is wounded destroying a bunker, captured and escapes, in about a page! This was a bit exasperating. There is more detail with his next posting to Italy. His actual unit (loosely attached to the 29th Pz Gr) is unclear but he volunteers for the Brandenbergers and most of his combat is behind the lines missions. These are mostly of a recon nature but also involved blowing things up. There could’ve been more detail for some of this. It is clear Teicher found this all quite exciting. He continues in this vein with POW activities in the Black Market.

There follows quite a bit on his post-war experiences doing a variety of jobs but ironically working for the US Army more often than not. His attitude and activities through his time was quite interesting. The other thing that was notable was Teicher’s reflections on the big events. He writes on the Jewish situation and how Hitler exploited and sacrificed his generation. Overall, this is a very readable book but given the lighter coverage of his war experiences I give it just less than three stars.

[Larso]

'Panzers on the Vistula' by Hans Schaufer

This book promised much but I’m afraid it didn’t deliver. The inside sleeve states that ‘Hans Schaufler fought as the commander of a Jagdpanthe in East Prussia in 1945.’ Well he didn’t. It seems he might’ve been a passenger in one but when he writes, infrequently, specifically about himself, he’s in a communications halftrack. He does include an account by another officer who commanded a Jagdpanther in battle, perhaps this is the confusion….
Schaufler was a regimental intelligence officer of the 35th Panzer Regiment, of the storied 4th Panzer Division, which he served in from 1939! This suggests he had a lot of experiences to recount about the early war offensives and years on the Eastern Front – yet none are mentioned? There’s also nothing about his prewar life or attitudes to the ‘interesting times’ he lived in. So, it must be said, this is not a standard memoir of the times in the usual form.

In a sense the author’s focus on his experiences in Kurland and around Danzig and the Vistula is reasonable. There was a lot happening as the German army desperately defended German territory to give refugees a chance to escape. The Russian advance was a cataclysmic experience for those in its way. The retribution being dished out for the German’s own conduct in the East, was horrific. Artillery and bombing also caused massive casualties, especially on the German ships that were sunk in the Baltic. It was far worse than I’d thought. British planes contributed to this as well.

The horror of it all is pretty clear at least. As for writing about the battles, most of what Schaufler recounts is quite general. Yes, there is material on a handful of Panthers fighting off superior Russian numbers but it is often expressed as ‘we’. A few more detailed passages are provided by comrades but it is frankly less than it could have been concerning these momentous days. Schaufler finally writes more personally concerning his astonishing sea journey to safety. Again, a few other’s accounts are added to flesh out the book. There are some extremes of fortune.

While handsomely produced, it is only 139 pages long including index. The Jagdpanther on the front (my favourite AFV) and the blurbs imply more is going to happen than does. It is a strange mix of a book – general history, collected anecdotes and in places, a war memoir. While Schaufler is good at listing the units he fought beside, the 4th Panzer’s sub-units are frequently jumbled up? Perhaps it’s the translation? I don’t recall it being an expensive book and that’s as it should be. There is interesting material but it is over-hyped and as a memoir, too incomplete.

[Larso]

'Boy Soldier: A German Teenager at the Nazi Twilight' by Gerhardt Thamm

Gerhardt is only nine when the war starts. For much of his youth he lives an idealic farm life with his extended family in Jauer, which was close to the Polish border. As is often the case, I learned new things about farming and living in the 1930s. It was busy but there was an entrancing rhythm to it all. The Thamm family had mixed reactions to the rise of the Nazis. His grandfather ridiculed Hitler but as time went on the freedom to be open about this disappeared. The grandfather’s comments on Hitler’s decisions act as foreshadowing for the disaster to come. When the Red army finally gets close, there is the delicate decision as to when to evacuate. Too soon and punishment could come from Nazi authorities, too late and… well.

As for his soldiering, Gerhardt is firstly utilised to unload the trains full of wounded. Their line was remarkably untroubled by Allied planes. Then when the town is evacuated there is a hair-raising escape from Russian tanks. At fifteen, Gerhardt is posted to an ad-hoc infantry group defending the Sudeten Mountains. They are fortunate that the Soviets have their attentions elsewhere but the boys are utilised to guide the soldiers through the familiar terrain and particularly to bring refugees through to safety. They are also lucky to get good food, relief and showers! Gerhardt has some tough moments but his exposure to the real horrors of the Russian advance seems to be limited to what others see. After the capitulation they are returned to their farm to operate it on behalf of the Russians, before finally being expelled by Polish settlers. They leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

This is a very interesting look at childhood in astonishing times. German society was well ordered and quite resilient. Gerhardt is lucky in many ways. They lose everything but remarkably their lives are spared despite the terrible dangers. The combat component is quite different to that of a proper soldiers. They are lucky in their NCOs but there is still horror to be experienced. I give this three stars for that element but it is a four star book overall.

[Larso]

'Against the Odds: Survival on the Russian Front 44-45' by John Stieber

Stieber has a highly unusual story. He was born in Czechoslovakia but spent much of his youth in England and Ireland where his German father worked. Astonishingly, his parents sent him and his sister back to Germany to finish their education in 1939! When the war came he was trapped and was obliged to go through the process all German youths had to, service in a Flak unit as a boy, the Labor service and then the army. When this last stage was reached, Stieber joins the Herman Goering Panzer Division, with which he fought on the Eastern Front.

Stieber’s childhood, spent living in a number of countries equipped him to be very independent. This was reinforced by his attendance at one of the Lietz schools which encouraged independent thought and managed to avoid Nazification. There were camps, good food and a supportive family style system. He departed for his stint as a Flakhelfer in February 1943, some of his experiences are similar to those of Karl Heinz Schlesier. There followed a year in the RAD, from which Stieber volunteered to join the Herman Goring. He was no fan of the party but he reasoned that an elite unit would receive priority regarding equipment and he thought this would increase his chance of surviving the war. His clarity of thought about this and in other situations is amazing to read.

After time in one of the HG’s training units he is posted to Poland in June 1944 and assigned to a mobile AA unit. He gives some excellent description of the workings of the 20mm AA weapon in its role. He is a loader but there are other duties as well. There is a bit on the halftrack, its capabilities and the effort to position it for action. There was quite a bit that was new to me. For instance he writes that they used foot wraps instead of socks. Indeed, there is quite a bit on the effort that went into having feet and boots ready for marching. He also writes informatively of meals and other day-to-day activity.

In terms of combat action – there is plenty! His unit is often involved in engaging Russian aircraft. In the fluid state of things in the East, there are also times when they are engaged directly by Russian ground forces. As a result, Stieber is several times cut off and forced to walk through Russian and Partisan held territory to regain the German line. Again, it is fascinating to read of his decision making when faced with some extremely dangerous situations. It has to be said that he enjoys some extraordinary luck too. His punt on the HG being favoured by the supply chain pays off too. His frontline service is very interesting to read of, though of course in his role it is different to that which an infantryman or tanker would’ve experienced.

This is another of a surprising number of memoirs to be published by men who were essentially English or Americans in German service. As such, they have a greater openness about events and a clearer, narrative free of any translation issues. This particular effort is very readable. The author’s experiences and his reflections on his attitudes and reasoning are very interesting. As is his service in his unit and role. Highly recommended! 4 ¼ stars.

[Cult Icon]

Thanks for the review- put it on my wish list. Didn't know that this memoir was about a trooper in HG.

[Larso]

'Through the Eyes of the Enemy' by Manfred Gutzke

Gutzke grew up in a small village near the Polish border. His youth co-incided with Hitler’s rise and he joined in enthusiastically. When his time came for military service he managed to get into an SS 88mm battery. He is fortunate to end up as a POW in England and this is probably the most informative part of the book.

A lot of Gutzke’s account is devoted to his youth. His village was a semi-rural one and they were not a wealthy family. As usual there are some interesting stories of growing up in the 30s. Gutzke was very keen on joining the Hitler Youth and liked the look of the uniforms of the SS. He joins them at the age of seventeen and there is some interesting material on the manner of his training. They participate in Flak work for a time before his unit is sent to the Eastern Front. It seemed like they were meant to be replacements but no specific formation is mentioned. Gutzke participates in one brutal battle with Russian tanks. There is some interesting details here but the rest of his service is quiet before he is hospitalised. His POW experience is characterised by his recognition he needs to look out for himself. The English he meets are surprisingly decent to him. Finally, some of what he passes on about the treatment of his hometown neighbours by the Poles is shocking.

The blurb ‘Memoirs of an SS Artillery Man’ is an attractive selling point but the author’s story has only a little about that. The biggest issue though, is that it is terribly written. Gutzke moved to Canada after the war and his English no doubt was fine generally but here his expression is poor. There is repetition, events out of order and passages that are utterly confusing. This said, I could follow it suitably and I found the story interesting. Still, it is hard to give this book a high recommendation. 2 ½ stars

[history1]

"published by men who were essentially English or Americans in German service. As such, they have a greater openness about events and a clearer, narrative free of any translation issues. This particular effort is very readable."

and writes such nonsense as

" he was trapped and was obliged to go through the process all German youths had to, service in a Flak unit as a boy, the Labor service and then the army. "

All kids and teens were forced by law to join the Hitler Youth, but not all were obligated or did serve in a Flak unit as a boy.

[Larso]

Many Rivers I Crossed by Werner Volkner

Werner served as an anti-aircraft gunner with the flak battalion of the 3rd SS Totenkopf Division. Intriguingly, though he is clear overall of his membership of the SS, he is often vague about mentioning it in the normal run of his narrative. As to joining it, he writes he was rejected by the Luftwaffe but then attracted by the panzer troops, so this is what he gravitated to. This was in 1942, so I believe he had to volunteer for the SS at this point but regardless, he doesn’t reveal his reasons for doing so.

After his basic training, he serves briefly doing some guard work in France before heading to the Russian Front. He has joined the division in time for Karkov and is with it for Kursk too. His role saw him serve just behind the front so there is little sense of the magnitude of those battles. Werner sees a lot of the Russian airforce however. He writes quite a lot on the nuisance raids at night and some on particular types of Russian aircraft like the Stormovik. He served on a 37mm piece, though I was never entirely sure of his specific position? He does write about the gun and the process of digging in. He had some close calls, particularly from artillery fire but it is not ultimately an account about combat.

Much of his focus is about the miniature of being in the army, the conditions, the rations, (and how they declined as the war continued) digging in and catching trains to go on leave. He seems to remember a lot about what he ate! Some interesting elements were the officiousness of the Nazi system. He was once denied entry to a tram because it was taking POWs to a football match! One clear fear, was of being rounded up and assigned to an alarm company, where he would be put into battle with strangers. By 1945 he has been wounded and was probably very fortunate to be on a course at the end, which pretty much allowed him to be captured by the Americans rather than the vengeful Russians, where his membership of Totenkopf might have counted fatally against him.

The last part of the book details Werner’s experience as a POW in Britain. He was treated quite well and in the end became a citizen, married and even served in the British army as an armored car crewman in the 2nd Tank Regt!

Werner’s politics are not clear. He writes of his surprise at the treatment of the Jews on Kristallnacht but there is no other mention of the darker elements of Nazi conduct. The attack on the Soviet Union is however referred to as the ‘pre-emtive invasion’ and he is very angry at the July 20 assassination attempt. So there was generally nothing obnoxious about Werner’s views then or later. A bigger concern for this reader was the repetition of minor details about what he ate and train trips. I’d have loved this attention to detail on his time at the front. It also must be said that there are quite a few passages where expression is awkward and even confusing. Thankfully these declined, or I noticed them less as I read further. Overall, there is interest in this account but there is little combat action. 2 ¾ stars

[Larso]

An Artilleryman in Stalingrad by Dr. Wigand Wuster
 
Wuster was a professional soldier who joined the army in 1938. He was attracted to the prominent social standing of the military at that time in Germany. While he served in some of the earlier campaigns this book focuses on the drive from Kharkov to Stalingrad in 1942 and Wuster’s involvement there to the surrender. There is then a little bit about his first days in captivity, where he has enough luck to give him the chance to survive the next years as a prisoner.

Wuster commands a four gun battery of 15cm howitzers in IV battalion of the 171st Artillery Battalion of the 71st Infantry Division. They are horse drawn and generally meant to be in support roles. There are several times when they find themselves under attack from Russian tanks and are obliged to utilise direct fire for their lives! I hadn’t realised that these guns could be so effective at this, though a lot depended on good positioning and Russian mistakes. They are also subject to Russian air attack. Wuster also writes at length about his feud with his commanding officer.

At Stalingrad the 71st division is fortunate in where it is deployed. It holds part of the Volga and is not at first affected when the Russian offensive surrounds the Sixth Army. Wuster is on leave at this point, getting married, remarkably he elects (very determinedly) in flying INTO the pocket and returning to his men. While this seems astonishing, the propaganda he was subject to had downplayed the scale of the catastrophe. He can’t believe that things will get as bad as they do. He is lucky to have eaten well up to this time as the lack of supplies ultimately damns them all.

The fighting is quite interesting. There are duels with Russian boats and of course helping the infantry in the street battles. There are some odd incidents and strange military bureaucratic silliness. The collapse of the army is disturbing. Officers commit suicide and men are left leaderless. Wuster’s final battle is very willing. He is fortunate to get out of it alive. Remarkably, Russians are surrendering TO the Germans even in the last days. Some of them even take up arms against their former comrades. There are some extraordinary things to be read.

One great feature of the book is the impressive number of photos he took. These include the canons in various stages of use, including some remarkable shots of a barrel burst. There are many shots of destroyed Russian tanks, including Lend-lease tanks from the Western Allies. Others show the men in day-to-day operations and living, some grim war destruction and Stalingrad itself.

We have this book thanks to Jason Mark and some collaborators (the good sort!). The translation is good and it has been edited down to a very suitable size. The excellent page notes found in other publications by Mark are very informative about other soldiers mentioned and other useful points. It is also very nicely presented. 3 ¾ stars