Synopses & Reviews
A unique wartime memoir describes how an eager Hitler Youth became a German paratrooper and a war-weary veteran of Holland, Norway, Crete, Russia, Italy, Normandy, and the Rhine Following a short description of the author's Hitler Youth membership from 1933, this extraordinary narrative describes his training for the paratroops in Stendal in 1938they all knew the war was comingrevealing his own rebellious streak as well as the uncritical fervor with which he and his comrades welcomed that war. This is a deeply personal book from a man who was there from beginning to end: Poland 1939, Holland and Narvik 1940, Crete 1941, Russia 19411943, Sicily and Southern Italy 1943, Normandy 1944, Holland and the lower Rhine 1945, and then a POW. Not only is it amazing that he survived all that, it is also remarkable that Martin Pöppel was capable of producing such a compelling and honest narrative. Captured by the 6th Airborne Division on the Rhine, Company Commander Pöppel returned home in 1945.
Synopsis
A unique wartime memoir describes how an eager Hitler Youth became a German paratrooper and a war-weary veteran of Holland, Norway, Crete, Russia, Italy, Normandy, and the Rhine Following a short description of the author's Hitler Youth membership from 1933, this extraordinary narrative describes his training for the paratroops in Stendal in 1938--they all knew the war was coming--revealing his own rebellious streak as well as the uncritical fervor with which he and his comrades welcomed that war. This is a deeply personal book from a man who was there from beginning to end: Poland 1939, Holland and Narvik 1940, Crete 1941, Russia 1941-1943, Sicily and Southern Italy 1943, Normandy 1944, Holland and the lower Rhine 1945, and then a POW. Not only is it amazing that he survived all that, it is also remarkable that Martin Poppel was capable of producing such a compelling and honest narrative. Captured by the 6th Airborne Division on the Rhine, Company Commander Poppel returned home in 1945.
About the Author
Martin Pöppel was from Munich. He first told his story in the 1980s. This translation from the original German is by Dr. Louise Willmot.