Overall a very interesting and engaging read. This is a tactical, street level perspective on the closing days of the war and its immediate aftermath... the author presents a passionate and insightful account of his and his comrades’ experiences.

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The Military Reviewer

Verdict: A great read supported by black and white wartime images.

Classic Military Vehicle, February 2020

Hugely entertaining account.

The Armourer, October 2019

The writing is clear, well translated from the original German, and quite engaging.

WWII History, August 2019 - reviewed by Christopher

Hans Schäufler was a second lieutenant in the 4th Panzer Division, and in early 1945 commanded a Jagdpanther tank destroyer before becoming an infantryman in the defence of Danzig. As a rare witness to the complete collapse of the Wehrmacht in East Prussia, his is an important story, and shows how the German soldier struggled on against an enemy whose superiority in men and equipment was by now so large that it could not be stopped. He is quite clear that no one had even the remotest illusion that a victory was still feasible, instead their purpose was to delay the Russians so that as many civilians as possible could be evacuated across the Baltic to the comparative safety of the west. The book closes with the stories of others who were taken prisoner by the Russians or were interned in Sweden, but Schäufler himself had a remarkable escape; having continued to resist until a few hours before the ceasefire came into effect, he and a few others boarded a small motor boat and, after a perilous journey, successfully reached the British sector.

Pegasus Archive

As featured by

VaeVictis, January/February 2019

This is one of the most honest accounts, that does make tough reading in places, whatever you think about enemy combatants they are still human. It is refreshing to still hear a voice from the past who is no longer with us, but he has put into words what many others felt and their fears.

An excellent book and a message from history.

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Reviewed by Paul Diggett via Amazon, Goodreads. Guardian Bookshop, Library Thing & Waterstones

This is a remarkable book which provides an authentic eye witness account of the capture of Danzig, mass evacuations from the Frische Nehrung and the desperate plight of those who actually made their escape – initially to the Hela Peninsular and then to relative safety in Northern Germany and Sweden.

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Walking the Battlefields, Phil Curme

There is little tactical detail, so this is perhaps not a key title for the wargamer, but it is a salutary reminder of the impact of extraordinary events affecting so many people in such a short space of time.

Miniature Wargames, January 2019 – reviewed by Chris Jarvis

The author has painted a graphic picture of the final failure of the German forces as a first hand account - Very Highly Recommended

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Firetrench

As featured 'ON THE SHELF'

Wargames Illustrated, October 2018