Sniper on the Eastern Front

JulioMoc · #1 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Does anyone read this book already?

Amazon.com: Sniper on the Eastern Front: The Memoirs of Sepp Allerberger, Knight's Cross: Albrecht Wacker: Books

The author claims to have interviewed Sepp Allerberger, and the book is an account of these interviews. People are saying it's very good, showing the horrific nature of the eastern front. But I read some comments stating that the author says that "Sepp Allerberger" is a pseudonym. How can this be?

Sepp Allerberger is a real character, so why is the author using his name as a pseudonym? I also read that a special 300 copy edition was signed by the author and Allerberger himself.

You see? Is all very confusing...

Can anyone explain this to me?

WotNoChad? · #2 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2008, 04:06 AM

Sepp is a nickname, his birth name is Josef (Allerberger). It's just like an author referring to Norman Schwarzkopf as "Stormin' Norman", or Edison Arantes do Nascimento as "Pele".

There was a limited signed edition, but as far as I know it was the German edition, sadly my German isn't good enough so when I was offered a copy I had to turn it down. Attractive looking book though, I hadn't noticed it had been published in English.

Hope this answers your confusion, if any remains please ask.

cheers,

JulioMoc · #3 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WotNoChad?

Sepp is a nickname, his birth name is Josef (Allerberger).

Yes, I know that Chad.

What I meant is that the authot claims that Josef "Sepp" Allerberger is a pseudonym. Take a look at this comment on Amazon's book page:

Quote:

Among certain circles, this book has already raised debate as to the true identity of just whose memoirs these truly are, as Sepp Allerberger seems to be a pseudonym. Nevertheless, this is a fast paced and riveting account that is obviously accurate and worthy of the person who lived it.

That's my doubt.

Kai-Petri · #4 (**permalink**) July 18th, 2008, 09:11 AM

Interesting problem. Don´t know if solved but here is some kinda result :

Sniper on the Eastern Front - Page 2 - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums

JulioMoc · #5 (**permalink**) July 18th, 2008, 01:21 PM

Thanks Kai!

There's people there saying that "Sepp Allerberger" is a ficcious name, but I'm sure it isn't. I have his adress, and found it in a pretty reliable source. Nevertheless, Albrecht Wacker's statement in his book is sure confusing:

Quote:

"German marksmen - even in their own country - are considered as wicked killers. Because of this, it has proved necessary to protect the subject of this study by keeping his identity anonymous. Many of the names in this book are likewise fictitious, but the story is real.
The subject of this book we will call 'Sepp Allerberger'..."

Judging by what I've read, there's a previous book, published in german language, called "Im Auge des Jaegers", that uses Allerberger memoirs, but with the pseudonym "Franz Kramer".

I'd like to write Herr Allerberger, but all this confusion made me stop to gather some information on his identity.