Customer Reviews

With the German Guns: Four Years on the Western Front (Pen & Sword Military Classics)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Herbert Sulzbach's diary is a vivid recollection of his life on the Western Front from August 1914 through the armistice of November 1918. Sulzbach enters the war as a member of an artillery battery. Due to his abilities, he advances steadily; especially given the attrition of army officers on the Western Front. He writes of his times in the firing line and of his several leaves back home in Germany. The diary is full of poignant and telling detail. Containing the necessary specifics of the war's terrors, the diary dwells on the human and humane incidents as well. The author's descriptions of his journeys by train, horse, and foot across the several different sectors where he served, are memorable. Sulzbach's writing is never dry and his abilities are neither primative nor academic. Though always a patriot, Sulzbach is affected by the failing German cause. His experiences are of the major battles from the Somme to the last German offensives. Sulzbach has the distinction of becoming a British officer in WWII and his work to reunite Germany and England has earned him a place of honor in both countries. Readers of this book might also like Vaughan's SOME DESPERATE GLORY; Graves's GOOD-BYE TO ALL THAT; and Sassoon's THE MEMOIRS OF A FOX-HUNTING MAN. This book would be a good way to enter the history of WWI from the vantage point of a single individual's service.

I am not sure if Herbert Sulzbach had ever intended on having his diary pubilshed for the world to read, which is precisely why I believe this book to be so intriguing. Any WWI history guru will most likely not be surprised by the dramatic events to unfold within the pages, but that is certainly not the point of this book. Its fascinating to read the day-by-day accounts of a young man fighting for the love of his life, The Fatherland.

It was incredibly interesting to sit back and read about the heroism and the tragedies suffered by Sulzbach. The disappointments he felt when friends fell, and when the tides turned. I almost felt sad when I could see the excitement he had to learn that it looked as if America was going to join the war and fight alongside Germany!

In short, this book is highly reccomended! Not your typical read by any means. Would love to see his WWII diaries (if he kept them at that time) published, as he joined the British Army to help rid Germany of Nazi rule. A true patriot, and a true hero!

'With the German Guns' is the English version of a book originally published in German. It has the major strength that few other memoirs by German soldiers of the period are availiable in English. It contains fascinating passages describing bombardments (from the perspective of those doing the shooting !) Its coverage may be criticised as uneven - but then as an accurate memoir of real war service this is almost inevitable. A 'top twenty' book for anyone interested in WW1 memoirs, or the German army of 1914-1918.

Fascinating account of the German soldier who stood firm throughout the war only to find that his nation had crumbled behind the front. Even at the war's end he had been able to travel to travel by train to see his parents while his unit was still in France and Belgium slowly retreating toward their Seigfried Line. His attitudes toward the righteousness of the German cause are clearly expressed as is his confidence in ultimate victory. Defeat came hard.

This book provides a window into the experiences of a German artillery soldier that took part in many of the largest battles on the Western Front in WWI. The stories which the author shares, particularly those about his trips on leave, provide the reader with a look at the impact the war had on those people still living in Germany.

As the war ends the book sheds light on how there were many German soldiers that still believed in the fight they were fighting, although they must have known they were beaten. The author effectively transmits his sadness at the end of the war. One of the other aspects of this book that I liked was that it appeared the author did not write the diary with the intention of having the document published; this gave the book more of a real feeling.