German soldiers during WW2

[Xev]

So I'm watching Band of Brothers last night, and it has me wondering -

Given the absolute buttload of testimonys from American soldiers, British soldiers, resistance fighters, concentration camp victims, whoever, on the Allied side of WW2, does anyone know of a book or documentary or something of that nature that records the experiences of German soldiers? I'd be much indebted.

[draqon]

http://www.amazon.com/Soldat-Reflect.../dp/0440215269

read it, don't loose your soul to it.

[Sock puppet path]

Hmmm I'd also be interested come to think of it. I've read quite a few books that tell the experience from the german side but plain old german grunt POVs I haven't read much of. Closest I've read is maybe "panzer commander" by Mellinthin but he started the war as an officer so maybe not exactly what you are looking for.

[Xev]

http://www.amazon.com/Soldat-Reflect.../dp/0440215269

read it, don't loose your soul to it.

Awesome, apparently I just had to search Amazon because there are a lot like it.
Thanks.

[cosmictraveler]

http://www.dogpile.com/_1_KIIUWO03OG...oppe/toppe.asp

[Sock puppet path]

http://www.amazon.com/Soldat-Reflect.../dp/0440215269

read it, don't loose your soul to it.

Actually I've read that too, forgot, I've been on the middle ages for a few years now. Not quite the same as band of brothers or citizen soldier as far as I remember, but it's been 10 years or so now.

[Xev]

Hmmm I'd also be interested come to think of it. I've read quite a few books that tell the experience from the german side but plain old german grunt POVs I haven't read much of. Closest I've read is maybe "panzer commander" by Mellinthin but he started the war as an officer so maybe not exactly what you are looking for.

RIght, something that would be about the experience of an ordinary soldier. I can't imagine the Nazi military experience was totally dissimular to any other military experience, but it would still be interesting to know what that sort of thing is like.

And without any melodramatic self-flagellation.

[cosmictraveler]

Das Boot a novel of the same name by Lothar-Günther Buchheim. Hans-Joachim Krug, former first officer on U-219, served as a consultant, as did Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, the captain of the real U-96.



The story is told from the viewpoint of war correspondent Lt. Werner (Herbert Grönemeyer), who has been assigned as a war correspondent on the German Submarine U-96. He joins its Captain (Jürgen Prochnow), who is only named as der Alte ("the Old Man") or Kaleu (short for his rank of Kapitänleutnant) and they drive to La Rochelle, France. Their car is intercepted by drunken sailors who urinate on the automobile: in fact, it was the U-96 crew, "christening" the officers with a "fireboat drill."

We then see most of the U-96 officers, including the "2WO" (the Second Lieutenant, played by Martin Semmelrogge) drinking in a cabaret, which seems to be an Officer's Club. Kapitänleutnant Phillip Thomsen (played by Otto Sander), celebrating his Ritterkreuz award, gives a crude drunken speech in which he mocks Adolf Hitler, much to the anger of some onlookers (he quickly shifts to mocking Winston Churchill instead). Werner meets the "1WO" (the First Lieutenant, played by Hubertus Bengsch), an ardent Nazi, and the "LI", the quiet Chief Engineer (Klaus Wennemann), who is tormented by the failing health of his wife back in Cologne. The night gets extremely chaotic, as all the officers are now drunk, and Werner retreats to the restroom

[Xev]

Das Boot was a very good movie.

[cosmictraveler]

It is a book also.

[Nickelodeon]

The book is better.

[draqon]

The movie is more enticing.

[Nickelodeon]

The cover of the Book is even more enticing.

[Nickelodeon]

On a different note, has anyone seen Conspiracy? Thats one interesting film.

[draqon]

I rather liked the book more.

[Xev]

It is a book also.

The book is always better.

[spuriousmonkey]

The book is always better.

except for The Constant Gardener

[Xev]

except for The Constant Gardener

Never paid attention to either. I presume it's about a landscaper who has regular bowel movements.

[spuriousmonkey]

Never paid attention to either. I presume it's about a landscaper who has regular bowel movements.

you presumed wrong. Although the main character looks like he has irregular bowl movements throughout the film, it is in fact not about a landscaper.

[Xev]

you presumed wrong. Although the main character looks like he has irregular bowl movements throughout the film, it is in fact not about a landscaper.

I won't go see movies about people with irregular bowel movements. That trash may be popular, but that doesn't make it right.