I read a biography recently (called: In Deadly Combat) made up of information from diaries kept by Bidermann during his involvement in the Eastern Front campaigns. He started out in the campaign as regular infantry but ascended the ranks during his time on the front, making it to officer (Lt. I think) grade before his units final surrender to the Russians in the Courland pocket. The book then continues re-telling his time in the gulags and his final release from captivity. A highly recommended read in my opinion. I found a link for it at Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Combat-Soldiers-Eastern-Studies/dp/0700611223/sr=8-1/qid=1165365048/ref=pd_ka_1/026-5805059-8440415?ie=UTF8&s=books
Interesting Book Macca, it sounds very similar to the Soldat book about a Soldier who served in the artillery ended up as major, with very similar circumstances as what you state about Bidermann. :ehm:
It is a pretty good book and is worth buying for your personal library.:thumb: Island of Fire by Jason Mark--is a MUST have and is about Stalingrad.