Frontsoldaten: The German Soldier in World War II

From Publishers Weekly
Drawn from letters, diaries and memoirs, this impressive study presents a rounded, detailed picture of the daily life of the Landser-the ordinary German infantryman of WWII-and takes an unblinking look at the stark realities of combat, particularly on the Russian front, where 80% of the German soldiers fought; the hardships endured; and the crushing anxiety of being surrounded by death and killing. The evidence that surfaces in these pages demonstrates that the remarkable unit cohesion and fighting performance of the Landser was due in large part to the bonds of military friendship inherited from Prussian tradition; Wehrmacht leaders "raised the concept of camaraderie almost to the level of strategic doctrine." The study also reveals ways in which the German soldier embraced ideological commitment to National Socialism and how, encouraged by Nazi propaganda, he was free to engage in virtually unlimited criminality if it was directed against the so-called enemies of the German people. Fritz, who teaches history at East Tennessee State, makes edifying comparisons between the Landser and his American, British and Russian counterparts. His book helps explain why the German army was so relentlessly efficient in battle. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The experience of the British and American common soldier in World War II has been extensively studied. Not so, at least in English, that of his principal opponent, the German Landser (infantryman). Fritz draws on both published and unpublished material, little of it previously translated, to make up for the deficiency. The German soldier survived far more rigorous training than his Allied counterparts (which explains much of his superior proficiency), survived (on the eastern front, at least) indescribable conditions, and was more sympathetic to the objectives and attitudes of National Socialism than has been admitted previously. He also feared death and wounds, mourned comrades overtaken by them, yearned for home, and took a dim view of mud, lice, brutal NCOs, inept or martinet officers, and hostile artillery. In short, he was a soldier doing his duty; the tragedy is that he did it so well in such an abominable cause. Roland Green


From Book News, Inc.
Drawing from the personal diaries and letters of the Landser<-; ->the average German soldier in WWII--Fritz presents an insightful, detailed picture of daily life for the German front soldier. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.


Louisville Courier-Journal
"Perhaps the most chilling story of men at war that I can recall."


American Historical Review
"A moving account."


Virginia Quarterly Review
"So readable as to be difficult to put down."


Publishers Weekly
"Helps explain why the German army was so relentlessly efficient in battle."


Book Description
The Landser, German soldiers in World War II, were feared for the efficiency and ruthlessness in battle. In his book Frontsoldaten, Stephen G. Fritz mines the letters, diaries, memoirs, and oral histories of these men to create the definitive account of soldiers' lives on the front lines. Frontsoldaten addresses the training, images of combat, living conditions, combat stress, bonds of comradeship, ideology, and motivation of the Landser. Frontsoldaten reveals the war through the eyes of these self-styled "little men" with a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Fritz contrasts these German soldiers with their American counterparts, showing how much soldiers everywhere have in common. But he also discusses significant differences in ideological intensity, group cohesiveness, ingenuity, discipline, and quality of equipment that will come as a suprise to many readers familiar with the history of World War II.


About the Author
Stephen Fritz is associate professor of history at East Tennessee State University and the author of numerous articles on modern German history.


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Drawing from the personal diaries and letters of the Landser--the average German soldier in WWII--Fritz presents an insightful, detailed picture of daily life for the German front soldier. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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