The Forgotten Soldier-by Guy Sajer!

Barnes and Noble (B&N) sells through their web site as well as locally. Amazon should have it as well.

 

I can't honestly make a comment on about what others think about the book and as to whether or not it's real fact-I can't say since im not the one who wrote the book. However, those on other sites have also evidently forgotten that Privaes are not privvy to the sam einfo as their Captains and Generals are. Therefore, how can one expect the guy to be exact on what his parent unit was involved with because "his war" was the one that covered the area in which he personally travelled.

Thanks for the links, ill take a peek and see what they claim. I for one don't claim anything about the book except that it was a very good read. I have only read it a few times and liked it as a good read.

 

Hi Heidi, I just moved house some months ago and if I could find my copy-i'd gladly give it to you. I still have several boxes in storage that I need to go through and im sure my copy of that book is there. ;-))

 

I am of the same opinion Carl ... all this talk has inspired me to route out my copy of 'said' book ... and 'dog-eared' it truly is. It's a 1985 print, and on the cover it states ... "The greatest true story of armed combat ever written."

I have always read it as such even if parts of it are 'hazy' at best ... I suppose Guy Sajer could have researched the facts and filled in those gaps, he did write it some time after the war when all the information was available, or maybe he wanted the reader to experience the uncertainty and confusion he himself felt as a 17yr old soldier in a situation beyond comprehension ??? Whatever ... It's a bl00dy good read, think I'll give it another go.

 

I read or part read this book some years back during a difficult part of my life, and was unable to finish it mainly due to the fact that it to me, seemed at the time the most brutally honest portrayal of war I had ever read, I seriously got in to the book but that combined with the factors that were going on in my life at the time meant I had to put this book aside and to this day I have not returned to it.However in hindsight it is the best story of the fighting on the Eastern front I have come across true or not I dont know but............perhaps I should venture there once more.

 

I read the book and there was something suspicious about it. I cannot put my finger on it but the grammer used just did not seem 'right' especially the slang he used. It almost seems like someone wrote the book using their grandfather's stories. It did not seem 40ish. Compared to the other books authored by German veterans, it just read out of place. Again, it may just be me.

 

It's possable what you had mention. young boys using there g/f notes on ww2.
What are the other books name authored by German veterans?

 

Definitely. I got this impression as well. But I do factor in the fact that Sajer wasn't a combat professional, but rather just an enlisted man.

 

Hi BlackS/ the above is kinda what I always thought had happened with this book.

 

i'm reading it right now and so far i have found it very interesting

 

Hiya guys,

My wife just recently got me a copy, it has new illustrations and never before seen photographs in it.
On a side note would anyone be able to help me in my research.
My grand-father and his two brothers all served in the GD, in fact in the same company.
14./PZ.Jg.Regt.GD
Anyone assistance would be great as they have all past on and i am researching this as part of our family tree. Plus i am an old tanker myself.

 

Panzerjager GD is covered in Vol 3 of Scott Pritchett's Uniforms & Insignia Of The Grossdeutschland Division (ISBN: 978-0-7643-3543-3) including its history and wartime movements.

 

Grenadier, start a new thread here mate:
Military Service Record & Genealogical Research - World War II Forums

It'd be a shame for your query to be buried in 'Books & Publications' & we don't see that many decent enquiries into German units as family history.

Good luck,
~A