Hans Sturm: A Soldier's Odyssey on the Eastern Front

Hans Sturm A Soldier’s Odyssey on the Eastern Front is an at times interesting story, poorly told by the the author, Gordon Williamson. In William’s dedication page to Sturm, he writes of collating and translating Sturm’s reminiscences and correspondences. The result is a sophomorically completed final product.The story follows Hans Sturm’s journey to the Russian Front and documents his exploits and awards during his 14 months service on the northern flank of Army Group Center. The first 148 pages of the book relate to this portion of Sturm’s military service, as a machine gunner in Russia. There are mistakes on many pages, and a lack of continuity with who’s who and where they were. The story telling is jittery with poor transition and reads like: this happened; and then this happened... The author writes about the death of leutnant Kaufmann on page 70, then on page 74 writes of Kaufmann’s promotion to Oberleutnant, followed by Oberleutnant Kaufmann’s signal to attack on page 75.Though there are many photos accompanying the the text, but there are no maps at all. If a reader, completely unfamiliar with the Eastern Front, was to pick up this book, he/she would be completely lost. The second half of the book follows Sturm’s recovery from wounds received during his heroic episode in Russia that earned him the Knight’s Cross, and his two year odyssey as a guest speaker for the purposes of recruitment and support of the war effort. Sturm, was a celebrity, liked to party, did well with the women, and made friends throughout the military and civilian ranks. Allied bombing raids contributed to a personal tragedy for Sturm, as the fury of the allies made their marks upon Nazi Germany.The very end of the book covers more personal tragedy for Sturm, his almost marriage (relationship was consummated resulting in a son, whom Sturm did not see until October of 1953 due to his imprisonment in Russia following his surrender while leading a Volkssturm unit in April of 1945. Only a few pages cover Sturm’s eight years as a captive of the Soviets.One may conclude from Williamson’s translation of Hans Sturm’s accounts that Sturm was a patriot of Germany, but neutral to antagonistic in regard to the Nazi political machine. Largely unaware of atrocity committed by the Third Reich, Sturm danced a fine line between being a free spirit, and the possible repercussions in the Reich, perhaps saved a number of times by his celebrity that came with the Knights Cross.In conclusion, Gordon Williamson’s book on Hans Sturm is an OK read. He had eleven years between Sturm’s death and publication of this book. One might hope that an author, who had communicated with his subject, had access to notes, and has a certain passion about the subject, would have crafted a more readable book, that would flow smoother, be free of the mistakes both historically and grammatically, and provided a more polished approach to Hans Sturm’s odyssey on the Eastern Front.

I could not " put" this book down ( read via Kindle). As a retired NAVY Senior Chief Boatswains Mate I actually read and study more of the Naval battles that were fought in the Pacific during World War 2. So when I saw this book my first impressions were simply: another book about how Hitler was able to brain wash his country and Armed Forces.To my surprise this book actually told the true account of the war effort on the Eastern Front as well as the efforts to keep up the moral up for the civilian populace at home.What drew me in was not only the story of Leutenant Sturm but his ability to share the horror, camaraderie, thoughts, and the toughness of one German Infantryman in Hitler's Wehrmacht and the plight of falling and subsequent captivity at the hands of the Russians after the Germany's surrender.This is only one man's story however, it gave me and possibly other readers insight to what one Axis Infantryman went through.....for in the end....All those who served in wars, past and present, leave a little of ourselves on the field of battle and carry that memory to our grave.A must read.

Somewhat in the tradition of The Forgotten Soldier, this work is a non-political portrait of a soldier serving his nation. As a simple lance corporal Sturm won everyone of his nations decorations for bravery. He was a man with a soul and a conscious. Somewhat awkwardly written, but well worth it.

A really interesting story with great detail, from someone that survived the Easter Front. Great details of the fighting, but especially interesting is the detailed story of a decorated hero and the tragedies he experienced, from the death of the loves of his life to his imprisonment. No matter what, Hans Sturm always rose to the top of the situation!

Sturm was an incredibly brave soldier, surviving numerous close encounters during the early battles on the Eastern front & winning every important medal awarded by the Wehrmacht. The middle part of the book covers his non-combat experience as a lecturer and instructor - less interesting. The latter part describes his (8 years ) of Soviet captivity - would have liked a more thorough discussion of his experience there.

This book reads like the oral histories I've heard when talking to WWII veterans (really, anyone who has seen combat in the infantry). There is no guile or embellishing of facts in this history, and although he downplays the blood and guts aspects of war, the violence he describes is truly terrifying. In fact some of the narrative could be used as an anti-recruiting tool. What also comes across is that despite everything, he's a decent human being. He recounts death after death after death, including his fiancee in an air raid. Somehow he keeps his sense of humor and a 'bright' outlook on life. The only minor quibble is that there could have been more discussion of his time in captivity, and more discussion of his life and family after returning to Germany. Based on this account, he must have been a wonderful father.

Another first-hand account of machine-gunner Hans Sturm while serving on Eastern Front. Very vivid in describing the cruelties experienced as Operation Barbarossa started and ended with a retreat out of Russia. The cold,mud and partisan harassment. Lack of winter gear, and failures of tactical decisions made by Hitler. Suffering endured by the Wehrmacht and subsequent time in Siberia mines after capture by the Russians

Hans Sturm begins the war in 1940 in France, spends several harsh years in Russia until he finally is forced by severe frostbite to leave his unit for the hospital. His skill and concern for his comrades pushed him to return to the front several times until he is severely wounded in one eye. After fighting in Italy, he ends the war in Berlin as a leutnant leading a Volkssturm unit.

This is an odd but mostly enjoyable book. I prefer first person perspective with memoirs, so the unfolding of events by another writer didn't engage as much as it might have done.I am puzzled by a central tenet of the book. The author and presumably Hans Sturm himself are at pains to distance themselves from the National Socialist regime. However, for nearly 2 years after winning The Knight's Cross and several other medals on The Eastern Front, Sturm was employed in giving speeches to various audiences in Germany alongside his studies to qualify as an engineer. The fact that the narrator proudly depicts how the Knight's Cross holder, alongside numerous photos of Sturm with the medal, shows that he was clearly ready to accept the accolades associated with being a military hero. Can the two perspectives really be separated so neatly?Purely as a tale, I enjoyed the narrative of combat on The Eastern Front, the mecahnics of being a machine gunner. I would have liked to ave read more of the captivity in Russia after the war ended, as this is only dealt with in a few pages. Overall, a decent read and Sturm was clearly an excellent and skilled soldier.

I am very grateful to those who served in German front-line units during WWII, who have taken the time to document their experiences. History is written by the victors, and the accounts of the vanquished are vital to obtain a balanced objective view. Hans Sturm served his country honourably throughout WWII in Europe, whilst enduring the loss of friends and family. The book is an excellent read, and you have to keep reminding yourself that this is an autobiography and not fiction.

An excellent account of one German soldier's experiences during WW2. However, Hans Sturm was also a Knight's Cross holder, which made him unique in the eyes of most Germans of that time. The book tells of how he saw duty & doing a good job for his country as important qualities of being German, despite the regime he was fighting for. It's a really thought provoking insight into the German mindset of the time, as well as an insight into the terror of the war itself. What let's the book down are the continual missing words due to a lack of the author proof reading it before putting it on the kindle. That aside, it does make for an interesting read. Anyone who studies this era will find this fascinating and compelling reading.

It's a desperately tragic recount of a young man's time on the eastern front. He retells his thoughts, feelings and impressions of the Russian front (glossing over many gory parts) but he is so circumspect about his behaviour that you have to empathise with him. A valiantly ordinary soldier battling through extraordinary circumstances

HANS STURM WAS A GERMAN OFFICER IN WW2 AND THESE TALES ARE ABOUT HIS PART IN FIGHTING FOR GERMANY.THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLY DETAILED AND HAS THE READER NOT WANTING TO STOP READING AND PUT THE BOOK DOWN.THE DELIVERY WAS ON TIME AND THE BOOK WAS AT A GOOD PRICE 10/10