Frontsoldaten: the German Soldier in World War II - Hardcover

Fritz, Stephen G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813119200 ISBN 13: 9780813119205

Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky, 1995

Synopsis

Alois Dwenger, writing from the front in May 1942, complained that people forgot "the actions of simple soldiers.... I believe that true heroism lies in bearing this dreadful everyday life." In exploring the reality of the Landser, the average German soldier in World War II, through letters, diaries, memoirs, and oral histories, Stephen G. Fritz provides the definitive account of the everyday war of the German front soldier.
The personal documents of these soldiers, most from the Russian front, where the majority of German infantrymen saw service, paint a richly textured portrait of the Landser that illustrates the complexity and paradox of his daily life. Although clinging to a self-image as a decent fellow, the German soldier nonetheless committed terrible crimes in the name of National Socialism. Idealistic and motivated by a desire to create a new society, he waged a cruel ideological war on behalf of a racist conception of national community. Though he was fiercely proud of his skill and resilience, his stubborn efforts ultimately led only to more senseless destruction.
With chapters on training, images of combat, living conditions, combat stress, the personal sensations of war, the bonds of comradeship, and ideology and motivation, Fritz offers a sense of immediacy and intimacy, revealing war through the eyes of these self-styled "little men." In contrasting these German soldiers with their American counterparts, he makes clear how much soldiers everywhere have in common, but he also reveals differences in ideological intensity, group cohesiveness, ingenuity, discipline, and quality of equipment that will come as a surprise to many readers familiar with the history of World War II.

About this title

Review:

"Fritz does an impressive job of detailing what war was like for the average German soldier on the front lines in World War II." -- Paper Wars

"Helps explain why the German army was so relentlessly efficient in battle." -- Centro Internazionale Promozione Editoriale

"Drawn from letters, diaries and memoirs, this impressive study presents a rounded, detailed picture of the daily life of the Landser -- the ordinary German infantryman of WWII -- and takes an unblinking look at the stark realities of combat." -- Publishers Weekly

""Fritz does an impressive job of detailing what war was like for the average German soldier on the front lines in World War II."" -- "Paper Wars"

""Drawn from letters, diaries and memoirs, this impressive study presents a rounded, detailed picture of the daily life of the Landser -- the ordinary German infantryman of WWII -- and takes an unblinking look at the stark realities of combat.... Helps explain why the German army was so relentlessly efficient in battle."" -- "Publishers Weekly"

""A moving account of personal observations combined with a thoughtful commentary in which the author provides numerous insights into the combat environment."" -- "American Historical Review"

""So readable as to be difficult to put down.... Should prove enlightening to students of German as well as military history."" -- "Virginia Quarterly Review"

""Fritz does an impressive job of detailing what war was like for the average German soldier on the front lines in World War II."" -- Paper Wars

""Drawn from letters, diaries and memoirs, this impressive study presents a rounded, detailed picture of the daily life of the Landser -- the ordinary German infantryman of WWII -- and takes an unblinking look at the stark realities of combat.... Helps explain why the German army was so relentlessly efficient in battle."" -- Publishers Weekly

""A moving account of personal observations combined with a thoughtful commentary in which the author provides numerous insights into the combat environment."" -- American Historical Review

Synopsis:

Drawing from the personal diaries and letters of the Landser the average German soldier in WWII Fritz presents an insightful, detailed picture of daily life for the German front soldier. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

About this edition

• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0813119200
• ISBN 13: 9780813119205
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 309