| Stormtrooper on the Eastern Front - Fighting with Hitler's Latvian SS
(2008)
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| Front Cover |
Book Details |
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| Genre |
Non-Fiction |
| Subject |
Blosfelds, Mintauts, 1924-1987; Latvia - History - German occupation, 1941-1944; Soldiers - Latvia - Biography; Waffen-SS. Lettische SS-Freiwilligen-Legion; World War, 1939-1945 - Campaigns - Eastern Front; World War, 1939-1945 - Personal narratives, Latvian; World War, 1939-1945 - Regimental histories - Germany; World War, 1939-1945 - Regimental histories - Latvia |
| Publication Date |
6/22/2008 |
| Format |
Hardcover (9.3
x
6.1
mm)
|
| Publisher |
Pen and Sword |
| Language |
English |
| Extras |
Dust Jacket; Dust Jacket Cover |
|
| Description |
| Following the conquest of his native Latvia by the Nazis, the author was given the stark choice: service in the SS or forced labour in a slave camp. So he 'volunteered' to fight for the Nazis. He describes his training and how he became an instructor before being sent into Russia. He nearly perished during the terrible winter of 1943-44 being wounded and finding himself with his friend lying dead on top of him. As the tide turned and the Russians advanced remorselessly through. He was wounded twice more and awarded the Iron Cross for bravery.With German resistance collapsing, the author had to flee for his life - capture by the Russians meant almost certain death. He surrendered to the Americans but describes the neglect he suffered at their hands. Unable to return to Latvia now occupied by the Russians, he became a Displaced Person eventually settling in the UK. |
| Personal Details |
| Store |
Alibris |
| Purchase Price |
$21.05 |
| Condition |
Very Good/Very Good |
| Rating |
0 |
| Links |
Library of Congress
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|
| Product Details |
| LoC Classification |
D757.85 .B55 2008 |
| Dewey |
940.54217092 |
| ISBN |
9781844157204 |
| Cover Price |
$19.99 |
| No. of Pages |
224 |
| First Edition |
No |
| Rare |
No |
|
| Notes/Review |
$20.00 less $2.94 discount plus 3.99 shipping
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In the foreword it is mentioned that the story of the occupation of Latvia by the Soviets is not included in this book. At first I was disappointed; that seemed like it might be an interesting tale. In retrospect, though, it was probably the correct decision. I feel the story didn't really get interesting until Part III, where he recovers from his first wound. From there the story becomes compelling. I found Part IV to be the most interesting, a recounting of several days of battle. Part V does a good job of conveying the chaos of the German retreat. |
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