In all the book is worth a read and throws a very small and well restricted view on Adolf Hitler.

Read the Full Review Here

Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

Competition as featured in

The Armourer

Many books have been written about Hitler over the year, covering a wide range of subjects, some you want to know and may be some you do not. This was probably one of the first written in 1931 by someone who served with Hitler in the trenches of the First World War. Even though he served with Hitler it would not stop the author dying in custody in February 1942.

This book recalls the shared experience of Hitler and Hans von Mend, from his call-up in 1914, to joining up with the List Regiment, where he would come across the then 25 year old Austrian Adolf Hitler. Where they both took up arms in Flanders and experienced battle at Wytschaete, where few survived, and Hitler was promoted to a lance-corporal and became the regimental ‘runner’. The runner ran the messages from the frontline to operational command and vice versa and were often the targets for snipers.

We find out about the battles which both took part in, are the names of which still send a shudder down many people backs. Participating in the Somme and Fromelles in 1916 to Arras and Passchendaele in 1917. Battles which would not have been good to be a messenger in running along longer and longer and more exposed lines.

Von Mend also recalls some of the conversations he had with Hitler during the periods they were not fighting at the front. Von Mend claiming that Hitler’s favourite subject of art and thought he was a sort of professor of German Art History. He also said that some of Hitler’s views upset some of those he served with. But that is not surprising.

It also details how Hitler gained his Iron Cross 2nd class and how is bravery in the trenches then went on to earn, unusually for a corporal the Iron Cross 1st Class.

While it gives some interesting insights into Hitler and his war service, it does not point out that an NCO does not and should not become a commander in chief. He may have been good at running messages not so good at running an army.

An interesting book if you are trying to understand Hitler.

Read the full review here

GoodReads, Paul Diggett

Always interesting to read about the early years of someone such as Hitler himself. Mend's memoir is compulsive and gripping.

Books Monthly

Most of the book that is not about Hitler, is quite interesting and enjoyably written in a diary style, it was good to hear about everyday life for a german soldier in the trenches of France.

Read the full review here

UK Historian

As featured in

The Bookseller

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I could not put this book down, To think something like this has been around for a long time and not known by many is surprising to me. But then once you read this you will understand why its rarely discussed IMO. I never knew of Hitlers war experiences. I did know he fought in the First World War and was an artist. What id learned was he was a soldier much regarded by his comrades and the civilians where he lived as a dispatch rider. From all reports he was brave, sensible and determined to survive the madness of war. This book tells a true story and is surprising to learn. It becomes completely understandable how men turn to hate after bearing the attrocities done by both sides against each other. It is happening today still with peoples at war bearing grudges that happened in far memory. The details of war are covered and anyone that thinks its glorious will learn quickly how terrible it is and what is produces. Accurate and detailed in a conversational tone this book is a historical timeline of one mans memories in a time most of us would not believe ever happened.

NetGalley, Patrick Carmen