Hello Gibson, you are quite correct--I did read it (more than once in the year 2000) and not only did I read it but, I took it with me to Germany for the express purpose of having Remy autograph it (which he did)
Remy autographed my copy by signing every photo of him in the book and writing a page of comments and personalizing my copy with his letter. I think he even signed the books cover too.
Remy then gave me several photos of him (signed) and personalized to me, and gave me a very large format photo of him (signed) which is a photo of him in his dress tunic--tho photo was a posed one which was a formal studio photo taken of him.
Before I do make any comments on the book, check this out: My friend Susanne and I, spent the entire day with Remy and his wife Joanna in Hagen.
Susanne and I made our way up 4 flights of stairs to his apartment which he was waiting for us at the door. We shook hands and I kissed his wifes hand (to which she blushed and her cheeks turned a bit red--and they both loved that) then we went to his livingroom--and boy, WHAT a livingroom he had!!
He has a hugh book collection that I would give all my teeth for--including his copy of The Last Knight of Flanders. He showed me his RKT address book--which I actually have more addresses to RKTs than he did. He gave me a few I didnt have and I let him get what he didnt have. This is where I got addresses to Viktor Vitali--Paul-Albert Kausch (Remys lifelong and best friend who sadly passed away a few months ago) and Kam Soeren among others.
One of the first things he offered was a bottle of Bier--which Susanne took and i had a glass of Cognac. Then his wife made Coffee, and we all had some Cognac in it--which was very good.
His wife cooked lunch which was Goulash--a meat-potatos and gravy dish. We had wine with lunch, then Remy and I went to retire to his livingroom while the ladies spent about an hour together in the kitchen.
Remy was busy signing my copy and I was allowed to take pictures of all his stuff on display in the livingroom. There were paintings of him(which are published in the book, plus all kinds of vet reunion plates and things, and large photos of people like Leon De Grelle, and other Waffen SS Personalities.
Located right next to his library is a showcase full of things people send to him as gifts. Plus his Knights Cross and all his decorations are mounted on a black felt pillow with his unit collar tab and 2 cufftitles at the bottom.
Someone sent him a hand made metal sculpture of a Waffen SS NCO (Remy) in a combat type scene. I gave him a personalized .999 silver coin with a Lion on the obverse and a private message on the reverse side. Remy honored me by permanently placing my gift to him right next to his Knights Cross. I also gave him a 3 place stickpin (an original) that had an EK1 and EK2 and a black wound badge. Remy then asked his wife to go get his stickpin which had an RK with both grades of the EK his Gold Wound Badge and his Infantry Assault Badge on it.
As another surprise--he went and got his M-42 cap that he is shown wearing in that pincil drawing that was done of him when he was in prison just after the war ended. I have a few photos of Remys M-43 cap including one with me wearing it.
The photo of the drawing of him wearing it is also in the book.
We then ate supper and had wine.
Back to the livingroom.
I took several photos of him and his wife and Susanne, then we looked at a few of his photo albums. Some of the photos were very nicely done under the conditions and would also be worth a fortune to collectors.
I saw a few photos that he himslef took of russian T-34s passing his position with in about 15 feet. I saw some great combat shost as well. I would give my teeth for these photos too.
Finally it was about 1 am and Susanne and I were exausted--I was suffering from jetlag, so we decided to leave--they invited us to stay-but we had already paid for our hotel rooms there in Hagen.
I absolutely loved his book and could not put it down either when I read it. I forced myself to quit at 100 pages--so I would not finish it in one sitting. (I did the same when I was reading Otto Giese's book: "Shooting The War" only I allowed myself 1 chapter a day--so I wouldnt read it too quickly--though I wanted to read more.
This book is easily one of my all-time favorites as well as Otto's book.
I absolutely loved reading about some of his personal stories. Remy being only just over 5 feet tall--is the toughest and bravest man I have ever met. He is now in his 80's, and he could still easily man his AT gun and destroy russian T-34's.
Anyway--im glad you are enjoying his book as much as I did. If you ever get a chance to go to Hagen, Germany--go visit him and his wife. This is ann experiance I will never forget.
Too bad the GESTAPO is a defunct organization--i'd love to see what they would do to such a creep as this thief.
