As featured on World War II Today

WW2 Today

The second part of Hans Rehfeldt's magnificent diary of the war in Russia with the elite Grossdeutschland Division, as told from the rare perspective of a mortar team. It begins in the aftermath of the defeat at Kursk and follows the innumerable hard fought actions in which the Division was involved as it steadily retreated out of Russia, through Romania and Hungary before concluding the war in Lithuania and Germany. It is remarkable that both Rehfeldt and his illegally kept diary emerged intact, though not unscathed as he was wounded during the final stages, but managed to avoid Soviet captivity to surrender to the Americans. It is a superb narrative which provides an enormous wealth of detail about the life of a typical front line soldier, and as with the first volume it contains many photographs from Rehfeldt's personal collection, as well as maps, newspaper clippings, and numerous examples of propaganda leaflets deposited on both sides of the line.

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Pegasus Archive

"Mortar Gunner on the Eastern Front: Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, and the Battle for East Prussia" is the second volume of Hans Heinz Rehfeldt's World War II military memoirs. Ably translated into English by Geoffrey Brooks and featuring an informative Foreword by Gilberto Villahemosa and unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library World War II History & Biography collections.

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Midwest Book Review

Having as much detailed information as is presented here continually helps put the various phases of the Sixth Army's advance on and into Stalingrad, and Soviet attempts to stem the German offensive, into a better and more critical context.

The History Shelf

This is the second volume of the memoirs of Dr Rehfeldt and, as with the first volume, it reads very well, providing a rare view of mortar units. The author has produced a rare account of what was a critical element in German artillery capabilities and he paints a vivid picture. – Very Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

This book brings the World War 2 years covering Dr Hans Heinz Rehfeldt life to a close. The book presents in a very human way life and death during World War 2 and the loss of a comrade in arms is hard felt due to you becoming closer than brothers, and so as such regardless of the side you were on during this conflict it does provide a look into the life of a soldier who spent most of the war fighting on the most de-humanising front in the East. This book and the previous title make a great read for anyone with an interest in World War 2 and to some extent life during World War 2.

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Armorama

This is the book I have been avidly awaiting following the earlier publication of Volume 1 of Hans Rehfeldt’s extraordinary account of his service with Grossdeutschland on the Eastern Front. Volume 1 was compelling reading and Volume 2 does not disappoint. It is an intense read, taking the reader along with the author as he fights to survive. That he survived against the odds is a story in itself but the eloquence and detail he brings to his account is compelling. As in Volume 1 his story is supported by his sketch maps and photographs that add real value to the account. Quite excellent, and one of the very best personal accounts of combat.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy