ISBN: 978-1-781-59005-8
Hardcover
Pages: 341
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Photos: 77 b/w//4 maps
Hans
Schaufler has not so much written a book as gathered an anthology of the
experiences of his fellow panzer soldiers into a time capsule of Eastern
Front operations. Focussing on five panzer divisions: 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th and
the 18th he has made a concerted effort to provide a medium whereby the voice
of history may be passed on by those who actually experienced it. One of the
interesting and unique aspects of his narrative is the fact that the author
really does take a very hands off approach, to the point where there is no
introduction or conclusion, nor is there any commentary by him of the inputs of
the soldiers and officers who have contributed. His editorial input is limited
to ensuring the narrative follows a definite timeline and that the stories make
grammatical sense. Additionally, he provides appendices of the order of
battle's of the five panzer divisions and a rank equivalency chart.
Not
only has the author gathered the narratives, but he is also a contributor
himself having served with the 4th Panzer-Division. This style of storytelling
provides for the reader a sense of authenticity that is lacking from the
traditional historical work. This generation is quickly passing into history
themselves and with them, the personal aspect of an experience that may only be
passed on by someone who has 'lived' it themselves.
This
work is not a study of grand strategic plans, or dramatic operational pincer
movements, it does not glorify nor denigrate war and it is not a justification
for what occurred during those tumultuous years. What it does do is provide
short snippets that relate the reminisces
of a soldier within a squad or a platoon of events that were memorable
to him. The stories are exciting, tragic, funny, ridiculous or surreal, but all
are honest and genuine. Whether relating the experiences of a young
Oberwachmeister finding himself having to fight off wolves from the back of a
Russian panje wagon while on patrol in the dead of winter, a Gefreiter telling
of a hopeless panzer crew and their disastrous training display in front of the
divisional commander or of the Oberstleutnant operations officer of the 16
Panzer Division recreating the daily logs of the unit that were destroyed
following its surrender at Stalingrad from memory following 13 years of
captivity, these stories resonate with life. When looking at themes that may be
found throughout the book, I noted that regardless of the nature of the story
been recounted, the underlying loyalty and comradeship between the landser
never wavered and was always viewed as a source of strength and courage.
The
quality of the book itself is good however, the photo's are of a lower
production value. One can certainly see the changes and the consistency in the
recollections as the chapters flow from the initial invasion in 1941 through to
the disintegration and chaos of the last months of the war. Overall, I would
highly recommend this work as a critical testament to the drama, farce and
terror faced and overcome by soldiers of any nation but, in this particular
case, Germany.
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