Customer Reviews

Monte Cassino (Cassell Military Paperbacks)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of a series of 14 books that Sven Hassel wrote to describe his experiences as a soldier in the German army during WWII.

Being in a penal regiment, they were given the hardest tasks, usually being the first in with the attack and last out when a retreat (sorry, strategic withdrawal) was necessary. Due to them being regarded as expendable, they lived hard and fought hard, this being reflected throughout the books, with graphic detail of their fights both against the enemy in the form of foreign armies, as well as skirmishes with their own people when they were on leave.

This series of books are overall a good read, and are refreshingly different than the majority, which were written by people on the winning sides. They also show, in vivid detail, how the war on the Eastern Front (which was where they were most of the time) was simply a fight for survival.

This book is a natural follow-on from 'Assignment Gestapo', which isn't always the case in these series. As the title suggests, it focuses on the fighting in Italy and in particular around the monastery at Cassino.

The book begins with the Allied landings (at Anzio?) and the general withdrawal of German troops northward. The unit have to undertake a couple of 'black bag' operations; removing artefacts from the monastery in the guise of SS troops and then going behind Allied lines to capture a Staff Officer. The rest of the book covers the battles had around Monte Cassino and describes the carnage very well. There are some poignant moments too, Padre Emmanuel holding mass in the crypt in the midst of an air raid, being an example. Considering the devastation wraught, it makes you wonder how anybody survived.

To summarise, a realistic war story that is told well from a different viewpoint than most.

Published in the UK by Corgi books in 1969, reissued in 1989.

David Lucas (davidlu@sco.com).

Monte Cassino is an excellnet book depicting the authour's amazing experiences in Itlay during World War Two. The epic battle for Monte Cassino is captured beautifully by Hassel who actually served as a German soldier during this time. If you like war novels, you will love Monte Cassino.

This moving book reminds us, as do other books of S.H., that wars are fought by men who have friends, families and ambitions. Monte Cassino is an excellent book in that it dispels the stereotype depiction of German soldiers popularized in Hollywood productions and lets us all know that soldiers of all nations are simply men caught up in storms not of their own creations, but for which they may have to die.

I have read all but two of Sven Hazel's excellent books. They've helped me a great deal about changing the way I felt about the glorified soldier, stupidity and genious of man and, the true horror of war and the uncensored, brutal reality of WWII.

I read my first Hassel book when I was about 10. It was The Beast Regiment (Monte Cassino) and I loved it. Not only was I into all things War, but his writing style (or that of his translator) was completely entertaining to a word geek like me. Fact or fiction...who cares? It's a great read, and that's all I want.

Question: Does anyone know if these new releases are re-translated by different folks, or if they're the same as the 1960s versions? I am not sure whether to buy Monte Cassino or if my copy of the Beast Regiment is the same.

I was reading an Amazon forum recently on best war novels. One reader said simply "Anything by Sven Hassel," whom I never even heard of before. Having been to Monte Cassino on a recent trip to Italy and being somewhat familiar with the battle that was fought there in 1944, I picked this book out first to read. I was not disappointed. Hassel writes with the experience of one who has been there. Good combat scenes, very realistic dialogue between the German infantrymen. After surviving on the Russian front the men in this squad are sent to Italy to defend the monastery of St. Benedict atop Monte Cassino from the advancing Allied troops. What a battle it turns into with the Allies resorting to B-17 strikes on the mountain in a desperate attempt to try and dislodge the dogged defenders who simply will not quit. Great first book by Hassel for me. Have ordered several more.

ive enjoyed sven hassels books for over 20 years a fantastic author who knows how to tell a story so well you just cant stop reading

While it is doubtful if Hassel actually served at Cassino (the Monastery was defended by decimated Parachute companies rather than Panzer crews) it is one of the best accounts of that battle available, and certainly calls into doubt the veracity of the accepted (Allied) histories.
A must for any Hassel fan, this book brings an end to several of the known characters amoungst the usual rivetting detail and absurdities of war.

Doesn't stray from his template, but very interesting and well writen.

I need to find SG's book Gestapo. Can anyone help me? If you have read one Sven Hassel book,you will be compelled to read them all