Soldat: Reflections of a German Soldier, 1936-1949

Ever since I first picked up a copy of this book, I've loved it so much that I think I've read the thing at least 4 times! Soldat is a book that chronicles the recollections of a German named Siegfried Knapp, an ordinary boy caught up in WW2 Germany. While there are many books out there about WW2 in general and the Germans in particular, Soldat is remarkable in that its story is told from Knapp's perspective and on a very personal level. While reading, one gets a real sense of being `in the trenches', as Knapp details very vividly his experiences from basic training and artillery school (with some very memorable parts), through to the officer's academy and on to service on multiple fronts. The culmination of his service was the battle for Berlin, and his subsequent imprisonment by the Soviets is also covered. What sets Soldat apart from other books on the subject matter is that the focus is on what directly relates to Knapp; there are no discussions about grand strategy or the motivations behind Hitler's invasion of the U.S.S.R. Instead, the reader is treated to a glimpse of life from inside the German army and German society, from someone who experienced it directly. Overall, this book is definitely recommended for those wanting a more in-depth look at the German army from a true ground up and personal perspective. Those looking for Sven Hassel-esque action or Osprey-style discussions on strategy may be disappointed though and should look elsewhere.

Follow a German soldier from his training, to the battlefield, from Russia to Italy, to the Battle for Berlin and then to his capture by the Russians. The details of life both on the front and at home really brings us into the war, allowing us to see how conditions change and how his view on war and the Reich also change. A few extras, like a small glossary and a organizational chart are not really needed. The book is about life in the Reich as much as the battles the Wehrmacht fought. Lots about the daily life of the German soldier, from their food, how they dealt with the weather, how they dealt with the horror of battle.A must for seeing the war from a PERSON's point of view.

I have read several military memoirs. Some were great, and others were self serving, egotistical garbage. Richard Marcinco's books fall into the latter category. Siegfried Knappe's Soldat is on the other end of the spectrum. Knappe has written an entertaining, and very engrossing book that covers his distinguished career in the German army. If you want an honest German perspective of World War Two, look no further than Soldat.

Out of every war there are survivors, and it is sometimes amazing how they make it through their ordeals. This is truly a picture of just how a commander's whim, school selection or being wounded can take you out of a potentially deadly situation (or stick you right back into one!) It shows just what a crapshoot surviving combat is.It is also a great insight into the German indoctrination process of young men and how they were eventually turned into soldiers. Another plus is the insight into the training of the German non-mechanized artilleryman (I've read enough about Panzers) and how the peacetime German soldier acted and thought. It is nice to read another interesting viewpoint of the last days of the Fuehrer Bunker as well. This book is also one of the very few that discusses in some detail being held prisoner by the Russians after the war.In response to other reviews, I don't think it was Knappe's goal to do any soul searching for what had happened during the war. He was an officer and a soldier. He did not allow himself to be put in questionable war crime offense situations. He treated his soldiers and prisoners with respect and dignity.German soldier autobiographies do not need reflection, soul-searching or some kind of apology to tell how they feel now after having time to think about the war. Knappe was a soldier doing the best he could for his country, just like the men from other nations. He was not a member of the Nazi Party, or a fanatical facist, just a soldier.Knappe did not agree with everything that Germany did, from both a tactical and philosophical standpoint, but this is a soldier's tale. He did what he had to do to complete his missions and survive.Being a former soldier, one thing that I respect Knappe more for than anything else is that he never shirked his duties or deserted his men or family. He could have disappeared and headed to the west many times during the Battle of Berlin, but he stayed with his men and did his duty to the end, knowing that the end was inevitable. That is the mark of a true leader, no matter what nation he or she is from.Don't pass this one up!

This book was an interesting read and I stuck with it without a break till the end (took a few days) but it just isn't anywhere near the book "The Forgotten Soldier" is. Knappe was just incrediably lucky during WWII. He seemed to always get out of sticky situations and places through amazing luck such as minor wounds or just transfers. This book is no where near as emotional and personal or well written as "Forgotten Soldier" and yet it still is worth reading. To me the best part of the book was his account of how he was kept a prisoner AFTER the war ended for over 5 years as were like a million others most of whom were killed AFTER the war had long since ended by the Russians in their labor camps. Many of the survivors that the Russian allowed to live did not get released until 1955 which was 10 years after the war ended. These facts are almost totally unknown to the general public in the USA. No one I told this of even believed me. I am glad to see that this book helps expose this crime the Soviet Union commited against men who were almost all just common foot soldiers. The generals the Russians caught were treated much better and yet they were far, far more to blame for anything the Nazi's did in Russia.