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Στις πύλες του Λένινγκραντ: Η ιστορία ενός στρατιώτη με την ομάδα Στρατιών "Βορράς"
Αυτή είναι η αξιοσημείωτη ιστορία ενός Γερμανού στρατιώτη ο οποίος πολέμησε καθ&rsquo όλη την διάρκεια του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, αναρριχόμενος στην κλίμακα της ιεραρχίας από απλός στρατιώτης σε λοχαγό ενός λόχου βαρέων όπλων στο Ανατολικό Μέτωπο. Ο Ουίλιαμ Λιούμπεκ, σε ηλικία 19 ετών, στρατολογήθηκε στην Βέρμαχτ τον Αύγουστο του 1939 και ως μέλος της 58ης Μεραρχίας Πεζικού έλαβε το βάπτισμα του πυρός κατά τον κεραυνοβόλο πόλεμο κατά της Γαλλίας το 1940.
Στις 22 Ιουνίου 1941, η μεραρχία του προέλασε στην Σοβιετική Ένωση στο αριστερό πλευρό της Ομάδας Στρατιών «Βορράς» στα πλαίσια της επιχείρησης «Barbarossa». Έπειτα από μακρές, επίπονες πορείες κατά τις οποίες προσπεράστηκαν αμέτρητα πτώματα Ρώσων, πυρπολημένα οχήματα και πολίτες των Βαλτικών χωρών που ζητωκραύγαζαν, η σκληρή μάχη έφερε την μονάδα του Λιούμπεκ στα προάστια του Λένινγκραντ όπου πέτυχε να σημειώσει την βαθύτερη διείσδυση μέσα στην πόλη από κάθε άλλο γερμανικό σχηματισμό.
Περιοριζόμενοι σε μία πολιορκία, οι Γερμανοί αγωνίστηκαν τόσο εναντίον των αντεπιθέσεων του Κόκκινου Στρατού όσο και εναντίον των πολύ χαμηλών θερμοκρασιών ψύχους κατά τον χειμώνα που ακολούθησε. Την άνοιξη, η 58η Μεραρχία Πεζικού μεταφέρθηκε νοτιότερα όπου πολέμησε επί μήνες σε ελώδη εδάφη. Στην συνέχεια μεταφέρθηκε από την μία πλευρά του μετώπου της Ομάδας Στρατιών «Βορράς» στην άλλη, από το Νόβγκοροντ στον διάδρομο του Ντεμιάνσκ και κάποια στιγμή απέκρουσε τις ρωσικές εφόδους που εκδηλώθηκαν πάνω από την παγωμένη επιφάνεια της λίμνης Ίλμεν.
Ως στρατιώτης που προτιμούσε να βρίσκεται κοντά στην δράση, ο Λιούμπεκ υπηρέτησε ως προκεχωρημένος παρατηρητής για λογαριασμό του λόχου του καθ&rsquo όλη την διάρκεια αυτών των επιχειρήσεων, κατευθύνοντας βολές βαρέων όπλων προς υποστήριξη του πεζικού, σημαδεύοντας τα υπόγεια καταφύγια του Κόκκινου Στρατού και, σε μία περίπτωση, κάλεσε βολές οβιδοβόλων για να ανακόψει μία επίθεση σοβιετικών τεθωρακισμένων. Η ανησυχία του όμως δεν περιοριζόταν όμως μόνο στα θέματα του μετώπου, καθώς έφθαναν ειδήσεις για τον καταστρεπτικό συμμαχικό αεροπορικό βομβαρδισμό του Αμβούργου όπου η φίλη του, Ανελίζε, εκπαιδευόταν ως νοσοκόμα του Στρατού.
Στα τέλη του 1943, ο Λιούμπεκ παρασημοφορήθηκε με τον Σιδηρούν Σταυρό Α΄ Τάξης και στάλθηκε στην σχολή δοκίμων αξιωματικών της Δρέσδης. Όταν επέστρεψε στο Ανατολικό Μέτωπο τον Μάιο του 1944, η Ομάδα Στρατιών «Βορράς» βρισκόταν σε φάση πλήρους υποχώρησης. Αφού τοποθετήθηκε διοικητής του παλαιού λόχου βαρέων όπλων του, ο Λιούμπεκ ηγήθηκε των ανδρών του σε μία μάχιμη σύμπτυξη προς την Ανατολική Πρωσία κατά το επόμενο έτος. Τον Απρίλιο του 1945 ο λόχος κόλλησε σε μία κυκλοφοριακή συμφόρηση κατά την υποχώρηση και σχεδόν εξολοθρεύτηκε μέσα σε έναν κατακλυσμό εχθρικού πυρός. Στην τελευταία δραματική προσπάθεια να φθάσει στην Δύση, ο Λιούμπεκ κατάφερε να επιβιβαστεί σε ένα γερμανικό αντιτορπιλικό το οποίο συμμετείχε στην εκκένωση της Ανατολικής Πρωσίας. Το επόμενο πρωί, 9 Μαΐου 1945, πληροφορήθηκε ότι ο πόλεμος είχε τελειώσει.
Όταν απελευθερώθηκε από την βρετανική αιχμαλωσία, ο Λιούμπεκ παντρεύτηκε την Ανελίζε στα τέλη του 1945, αλλά οι απελπιστικής συνθήκες διαβίωσης που επικρατούσαν στην Γερμανία σύντομα τους ανάγκασαν να διασχίσουν τα όρια του Σιδηρού Παραπετάσματος προκειμένου να πάρουν κάποια τρόφιμα από το αγρόκτημα της οικογένειας που βρισκόταν στην υπό σοβιετική κατοχή ζώνη. Όταν οι Ρώσοι τον συνέλαβαν κατά την διάρκεια μιας από αυτές τις εξορμήσεις, ο Λιούμπεκ κατάφερε να πετύχει μια τολμηρή απόδραση προτού εκείνοι προλάβουν να μάθουν την ταυτότητά του ως πρώην αξιωματικού της Βέρμαχτ. Ο ίδιος και η σύζυγός του μετανάστευσαν τελικά στην Βόρειο Αμερική και το 1961 έγιναν πολίτες των ΗΠΑ.
Με την βοήθεια του Ντέηβιντ Μ. Χαρτ, ο Ουίλιαμ Λιούμπεκ αναδίφησε τις σημειώσεις που είχε κρατήσει κατά την διάρκεια του πολέμου, τις επιστολές που έστειλε, το ατομικό του στρατιωτικό βιβλιάριο, μία ιστορία της μεραρχίας του και, κυρίως, τις προσωπικές αναμνήσεις του για να αφηγηθεί την εμπειρία του από τα τέσσερα χρόνια στο μέτωπο. Το βιβλίο «Στις Πύλες του Λένινγκραντ» περιλαμβάνει σπάνιες αναφορές από πρώτο χέρι, τόσο για τους θριάμβους όσο και για τις καταστροφές και παρέχει μία συναρπαστική ματιά στην καθημερινή πραγματικότητα της μάχης στο Ανατολικό Μέτωπο.
Στις 22 Ιουνίου 1941, η μεραρχία του προέλασε στην Σοβιετική Ένωση στο αριστερό πλευρό της Ομάδας Στρατιών «Βορράς» στα πλαίσια της επιχείρησης «Barbarossa». Έπειτα από μακρές, επίπονες πορείες κατά τις οποίες προσπεράστηκαν αμέτρητα πτώματα Ρώσων, πυρπολημένα οχήματα και πολίτες των Βαλτικών χωρών που ζητωκραύγαζαν, η σκληρή μάχη έφερε την μονάδα του Λιούμπεκ στα προάστια του Λένινγκραντ όπου πέτυχε να σημειώσει την βαθύτερη διείσδυση μέσα στην πόλη από κάθε άλλο γερμανικό σχηματισμό.
Περιοριζόμενοι σε μία πολιορκία, οι Γερμανοί αγωνίστηκαν τόσο εναντίον των αντεπιθέσεων του Κόκκινου Στρατού όσο και εναντίον των πολύ χαμηλών θερμοκρασιών ψύχους κατά τον χειμώνα που ακολούθησε. Την άνοιξη, η 58η Μεραρχία Πεζικού μεταφέρθηκε νοτιότερα όπου πολέμησε επί μήνες σε ελώδη εδάφη. Στην συνέχεια μεταφέρθηκε από την μία πλευρά του μετώπου της Ομάδας Στρατιών «Βορράς» στην άλλη, από το Νόβγκοροντ στον διάδρομο του Ντεμιάνσκ και κάποια στιγμή απέκρουσε τις ρωσικές εφόδους που εκδηλώθηκαν πάνω από την παγωμένη επιφάνεια της λίμνης Ίλμεν.
Ως στρατιώτης που προτιμούσε να βρίσκεται κοντά στην δράση, ο Λιούμπεκ υπηρέτησε ως προκεχωρημένος παρατηρητής για λογαριασμό του λόχου του καθ&rsquo όλη την διάρκεια αυτών των επιχειρήσεων, κατευθύνοντας βολές βαρέων όπλων προς υποστήριξη του πεζικού, σημαδεύοντας τα υπόγεια καταφύγια του Κόκκινου Στρατού και, σε μία περίπτωση, κάλεσε βολές οβιδοβόλων για να ανακόψει μία επίθεση σοβιετικών τεθωρακισμένων. Η ανησυχία του όμως δεν περιοριζόταν όμως μόνο στα θέματα του μετώπου, καθώς έφθαναν ειδήσεις για τον καταστρεπτικό συμμαχικό αεροπορικό βομβαρδισμό του Αμβούργου όπου η φίλη του, Ανελίζε, εκπαιδευόταν ως νοσοκόμα του Στρατού.
Στα τέλη του 1943, ο Λιούμπεκ παρασημοφορήθηκε με τον Σιδηρούν Σταυρό Α΄ Τάξης και στάλθηκε στην σχολή δοκίμων αξιωματικών της Δρέσδης. Όταν επέστρεψε στο Ανατολικό Μέτωπο τον Μάιο του 1944, η Ομάδα Στρατιών «Βορράς» βρισκόταν σε φάση πλήρους υποχώρησης. Αφού τοποθετήθηκε διοικητής του παλαιού λόχου βαρέων όπλων του, ο Λιούμπεκ ηγήθηκε των ανδρών του σε μία μάχιμη σύμπτυξη προς την Ανατολική Πρωσία κατά το επόμενο έτος. Τον Απρίλιο του 1945 ο λόχος κόλλησε σε μία κυκλοφοριακή συμφόρηση κατά την υποχώρηση και σχεδόν εξολοθρεύτηκε μέσα σε έναν κατακλυσμό εχθρικού πυρός. Στην τελευταία δραματική προσπάθεια να φθάσει στην Δύση, ο Λιούμπεκ κατάφερε να επιβιβαστεί σε ένα γερμανικό αντιτορπιλικό το οποίο συμμετείχε στην εκκένωση της Ανατολικής Πρωσίας. Το επόμενο πρωί, 9 Μαΐου 1945, πληροφορήθηκε ότι ο πόλεμος είχε τελειώσει.
Όταν απελευθερώθηκε από την βρετανική αιχμαλωσία, ο Λιούμπεκ παντρεύτηκε την Ανελίζε στα τέλη του 1945, αλλά οι απελπιστικής συνθήκες διαβίωσης που επικρατούσαν στην Γερμανία σύντομα τους ανάγκασαν να διασχίσουν τα όρια του Σιδηρού Παραπετάσματος προκειμένου να πάρουν κάποια τρόφιμα από το αγρόκτημα της οικογένειας που βρισκόταν στην υπό σοβιετική κατοχή ζώνη. Όταν οι Ρώσοι τον συνέλαβαν κατά την διάρκεια μιας από αυτές τις εξορμήσεις, ο Λιούμπεκ κατάφερε να πετύχει μια τολμηρή απόδραση προτού εκείνοι προλάβουν να μάθουν την ταυτότητά του ως πρώην αξιωματικού της Βέρμαχτ. Ο ίδιος και η σύζυγός του μετανάστευσαν τελικά στην Βόρειο Αμερική και το 1961 έγιναν πολίτες των ΗΠΑ.
Με την βοήθεια του Ντέηβιντ Μ. Χαρτ, ο Ουίλιαμ Λιούμπεκ αναδίφησε τις σημειώσεις που είχε κρατήσει κατά την διάρκεια του πολέμου, τις επιστολές που έστειλε, το ατομικό του στρατιωτικό βιβλιάριο, μία ιστορία της μεραρχίας του και, κυρίως, τις προσωπικές αναμνήσεις του για να αφηγηθεί την εμπειρία του από τα τέσσερα χρόνια στο μέτωπο. Το βιβλίο «Στις Πύλες του Λένινγκραντ» περιλαμβάνει σπάνιες αναφορές από πρώτο χέρι, τόσο για τους θριάμβους όσο και για τις καταστροφές και παρέχει μία συναρπαστική ματιά στην καθημερινή πραγματικότητα της μάχης στο Ανατολικό Μέτωπο.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2006
188 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 24, 2022
This was a decent first-person account of combat action at the siege of Leningrad. Wilhelm Lübbecke (using his name William Lubbeck for the authoring of this book) told his story from growing up on a farm, witnessing the Great Depression, seeing the rise of National Socialism and Hitler, and joining the Wehrmacht. Like most of these Eastern Front first-person accounts, Lubbecke joined out of a sense of duty in defending the Fatherland and the German way of life.
His story of recruitment, training, and deployment through the Baltic States leading up to combat was told with description and realism. Lübbecke talked about the harshness of the weather, supply shortages, morale, and fighting the enemy. Overall this was a quick read that was clear and concise. I would recommend this to anyone interested in first-person accounts from the German perspective of the Eastern Front. Thanks!
For the large majority of Germans, the war was never about the Nazi dream of conquering Lebensraum (living space) in the East for colonization by "the Aryan master race." Like most German soldiers, I was fighting for my fatherland out of a sense of patriotic duty and the belief that Soviet Communism posed a grave threat to all of Europe and Western civilization. If we did not destroy the Communist menace, it would destroy us. pg 83
His story of recruitment, training, and deployment through the Baltic States leading up to combat was told with description and realism. Lübbecke talked about the harshness of the weather, supply shortages, morale, and fighting the enemy. Overall this was a quick read that was clear and concise. I would recommend this to anyone interested in first-person accounts from the German perspective of the Eastern Front. Thanks!
October 19, 2020
Did Not Finish! I got tired of the character saying how he wasn't a Nazi, how he thought Hitler was a big stinker. Of course, that's what he's going to say when writing for an American audience. What do you expect him to say? "Hitler made a lot of sense to me back then." While I enjoyed the perspective of his point of view, I couldn't take his careful rewriting of history.
June 5, 2019
Like other have observed before me this book wasn`t very detailed about the actual war, or the Leningrad offensive, but pluses more on the personal side of living the events.
And that`s not at all so bad as it sounds.
And another thing that worth to be mention is that this book was written at the end of his life, not after the war, so I quite understand that the author hasn`t the vivid pictures in his head like it was at the time of the fighting.
Like I said, there are a lot of small things from the daily life in the period of the war and after it, that I was curious about and Lubbeck explains them in accurate detail.
Also, his life it`s an interesting story on it`s whole, so I felt that it wasn`t a lost time like other readers have perceived it to be.
Ps: I was just thinking about this book and I remember that the Wehrmacht, when on the eastern front, had organized a lot of shows with music, dancing and singing for the soldiers, aspect that it has a centered role in the second Ash fiction book, that I`ve also read recently.
And another thing that I remember and I found it very peculiar was that the soldiers had the right to go home, at least on one or two weeks in half I year , when it could be the case.
And that`s not at all so bad as it sounds.
And another thing that worth to be mention is that this book was written at the end of his life, not after the war, so I quite understand that the author hasn`t the vivid pictures in his head like it was at the time of the fighting.
Like I said, there are a lot of small things from the daily life in the period of the war and after it, that I was curious about and Lubbeck explains them in accurate detail.
Also, his life it`s an interesting story on it`s whole, so I felt that it wasn`t a lost time like other readers have perceived it to be.
Ps: I was just thinking about this book and I remember that the Wehrmacht, when on the eastern front, had organized a lot of shows with music, dancing and singing for the soldiers, aspect that it has a centered role in the second Ash fiction book, that I`ve also read recently.
And another thing that I remember and I found it very peculiar was that the soldiers had the right to go home, at least on one or two weeks in half I year , when it could be the case.
March 27, 2017
An ok memoir, not so much down in the nitty gritty of combat as most memoirs but written more as a general overview of his childhood, combat experiences, and post war life. Written honestly it feels, would be rated much higher if he had taken the time to give more personal details. Over all not a bad book though.
March 23, 2014
Good memoir.
This book is more of a general memoir. It is not real in depth or gritty, combat wise. it is more like a personal story telling of the 58th. division. If you are looking for detailed descriptions of combat on the Eastern Front, this book is not for you. the overall story is a good read and an excellent overview of life before, during and after the war.
This book is more of a general memoir. It is not real in depth or gritty, combat wise. it is more like a personal story telling of the 58th. division. If you are looking for detailed descriptions of combat on the Eastern Front, this book is not for you. the overall story is a good read and an excellent overview of life before, during and after the war.
March 24, 2020
Oh boy, this must be the blandest, most indifferent personal war memoir I've ever read.
Granted, it was written decades after the facts, but still if you go by it the war was something along the lines of "must get Anneliese back/unit moved a bit/I must be the best in all I do/phew that was close". You would think there were barely any dead on the Eastern front!
What also really got on my nerves was the writer's self-serving de-nazification. The book is apolitical to an extreme degree, save a few comments of the "my family never liked Hitler" sort. However, when you're dealing with nazism, being apolitical and pretending to be against Hitler while doing your best to satisfy his goals, well, just ain't gonna cut it. "My family dealt with a PoW slaves in a nice way and even let them have dinner at the same table occasionally"? Seriously? What a load...
There are a few interesting parts where you get to learn some of the details of everyday soldiering at the front, but not too many. Apart from that, at some point it felt so boring I just abandoned the book two-thirds into it.
Don't waste your time, there are lots of much, much better memoirs out there.
Granted, it was written decades after the facts, but still if you go by it the war was something along the lines of "must get Anneliese back/unit moved a bit/I must be the best in all I do/phew that was close". You would think there were barely any dead on the Eastern front!
What also really got on my nerves was the writer's self-serving de-nazification. The book is apolitical to an extreme degree, save a few comments of the "my family never liked Hitler" sort. However, when you're dealing with nazism, being apolitical and pretending to be against Hitler while doing your best to satisfy his goals, well, just ain't gonna cut it. "My family dealt with a PoW slaves in a nice way and even let them have dinner at the same table occasionally"? Seriously? What a load...
There are a few interesting parts where you get to learn some of the details of everyday soldiering at the front, but not too many. Apart from that, at some point it felt so boring I just abandoned the book two-thirds into it.
Don't waste your time, there are lots of much, much better memoirs out there.
September 28, 2022
I have a fascination with memoirs of soldiers of World War II, whether Allied or German. William Lubbeck's account is quite detailed and interesting, although I admit to having a bit of difficulty with his assertions that his family members (with some exceptions) were not Nazis, and knew nothing of the atrocities revealed after the war. There is a certain disingenuousness in his account, but in general, I would not necessarily say he was making excuses. He describes his family's situation before the war, his volunteering for the Wehrmacht and subsequent combat experience; his love for Anneliese, his girlfriend and later, wife; and the extremely difficult life in postwar Germany, which led him to emigrate first to Canada and then to the United States. Of particular interest was his account of what happened to his family who lived in what became the Soviet Zone/East Germany. They were constantly harassed by the communist administrators, and eventually had to leave behind their farm in order to escape to the West.
Definitely a book for anyone interested in personal accounts.
Definitely a book for anyone interested in personal accounts.
May 5, 2023
Mediocră istoric, fiindcă autorul este o persoană de la țară fără prea mare cultură sau iq (sau răspundere față de camarazi si subordonați, probabil motivul pentru care el a supraviețuit și cei mai concentrati pe onoare si datorie nu), memoriile sunt superficiale si cosmetizate și, ca de obicei la cărți cu termeni militari, traducerea în română foarte proastă. Utilă oarecum ca piesă de puzzle despre ww2; mult mai bine îi ies părțile de amintiri civile și despre "paradisul" Rdg, poate pentru că nu și le cenzurează.
November 23, 2019
Tahle kniha v sobě zosobňuje všechny důvody, proč jsou paměti pramenem historické práce jen velmi problematickým.
Pamětník vzpomíná na válečné události na západní i na východní frontě po desítkách let a jeho vzpomínky pěkně učesává do až příliš strojeného jazyka ghost-writer. Jakému účelu kniha slouží? Autor deklaruje, že mu jde o rozšíření perspektivy amerického čtenáře - a to jistě částečně plní -, ale nelze se ubránit pocitu, že to, čeho se autor skutečně snaží dosáhnout, je sebevalidace, smíření a vlastně dost možná přepsání vlastní paměti tak, aby vzpomínky lépe zapadaly do jeho sebeobrazu.
K tomuhle závěru mě vede několik vodítek vyčtených mezi řádky - opakované, vlastně nepřetržité zdůrazňování, že autor a jeho nejbližší rodina smýšlela zcela protihitlerovsky. (A v kontrastu s tím pak působí přiznání, že v jednom dopise jeho milovaná vyjádřila naprostou důvěru v Hitlera a Třetí říši. Tyto dopisy jsou autentické a jsou zajímavým korektivem celého vyprávění, často v přiznaném rozporu s narativem.)
Dále autor líčí válku jako velké dobrodružství a sebe sama jako člověka s velkými ambicemi, který to nakonec dotáhl až na kapitána. Čtenář ho jasně identifikuje jako zelený mozek, válka pana Lubbecka všemu strádání navzdory bavila. Pak najednou po válce někdo přepnul knoflík v jeho hlavě a pan Lubbeck ze strachu před válkou uteče z Německa - tak jak to vlastně je? Bavila ho válka, nebo se jí bál?
Neustále se zdůrazňuje, že jediným důvodem, proč je vypravěč ve válce, je jeho deklarované (velko)německé vlastenectví (a nikoliv třeba pobláznění hitlerovskou rasovou ideologií a podobnými nesmysly). Jak se ale tohle vlastenectví snáší s tím, že prakticky první věc, kterou Lubbeck po válce udělá, je, že z Německa emigruje, a v závěru se dokonce prohlašuje za Američana tělem a duší, který nemá s Německem (už) nic společného?
Popis válečných hrůz je naštěstí přiměřeně vágní. Často je vyprávěn formou anekdoty - kde pointa jsou mrtví lidé ve vysokém počtu.
Vzpomínky na to, co pan Lubbeck prožil, jsou navzdory snaze o to, oddělit je od velkého narativu dějin, s těmito velkými dějinami tak nešťastně promíchány, takže vypravěč tu a tam vysvětluje, co se dělo na jiné části fronty, kde nebyl a o které nejspíš toho mnoho ani za války nevěděl. Nadbytečné je třeba porovnávání podmínek za druhé světové s podmínkami v zákopech za první světové (pan Lubbeck se narodil v roce 1920). Čtenář se neubrání myšlence, co z popisovaného jsou skutečné zážitky pana Lubbecka a co pochází z paměti někoho jiného.
Když starý muž vzpomíná na mládí, vždycky je ve svých vzpomínkách vzorem ctností - a pan Lubbeck není výjimkou. Na frontě nesouložil (pouze toužebně vzdychal po své vyvolené), nepil (resp. pil méně než ostatní), sice kouřil, pravda:D), ale vždy se zachoval správně, ale přesto ho trápí svědomí, že se mohl snažit víc. Často zajímavější než číst o tom, jak pan Lubbeck tehdy podle svých pamětí o mnoho desítek let později smýšlel, je číst mezi řádky, co pana Lubbecka vůbec nezajímalo. Paradoxně to jsou osudy malých lidí kolem sebe. Zdrcující je, že při evakuaci Pobaltí a Východního Pruska pana Lubbecka zajímalo jen to, co se stane s etnickými Němci - ostatní prostě neprošli rastrem jeho vnímání a byli mu patrně lhostejní - nejspíš mu byli lhostejní i v době sepisování pamětí.
V úvodu knihy pan Lubbeck tvrdí, že on sám není hrdina, že hrdinové jsou němečtí vojáci padlí na frontě. (A v závěru tutéž myšlenku ilustruje implovanou tezí, že je vlastně jedno, na které frontě člověk bojoval.) Jsem přesvědčený, že to tak pan Lubbeck cítí v zájmu své sebeúcty a kvůli tomu, že nežil v důsledně denacifikovaném Německu. Pro mě ale voják, který vede nespravedlivou válku, nemůže být hrdinou. Může být kolečkem v soukolí, tragickou obětí, užitečným idiotem - můžu ho chápat, můžu ho omlouvat, můžu s ním soucítit, ale nebude pro mě hrdinou.
Pamětník vzpomíná na válečné události na západní i na východní frontě po desítkách let a jeho vzpomínky pěkně učesává do až příliš strojeného jazyka ghost-writer. Jakému účelu kniha slouží? Autor deklaruje, že mu jde o rozšíření perspektivy amerického čtenáře - a to jistě částečně plní -, ale nelze se ubránit pocitu, že to, čeho se autor skutečně snaží dosáhnout, je sebevalidace, smíření a vlastně dost možná přepsání vlastní paměti tak, aby vzpomínky lépe zapadaly do jeho sebeobrazu.
K tomuhle závěru mě vede několik vodítek vyčtených mezi řádky - opakované, vlastně nepřetržité zdůrazňování, že autor a jeho nejbližší rodina smýšlela zcela protihitlerovsky. (A v kontrastu s tím pak působí přiznání, že v jednom dopise jeho milovaná vyjádřila naprostou důvěru v Hitlera a Třetí říši. Tyto dopisy jsou autentické a jsou zajímavým korektivem celého vyprávění, často v přiznaném rozporu s narativem.)
Dále autor líčí válku jako velké dobrodružství a sebe sama jako člověka s velkými ambicemi, který to nakonec dotáhl až na kapitána. Čtenář ho jasně identifikuje jako zelený mozek, válka pana Lubbecka všemu strádání navzdory bavila. Pak najednou po válce někdo přepnul knoflík v jeho hlavě a pan Lubbeck ze strachu před válkou uteče z Německa - tak jak to vlastně je? Bavila ho válka, nebo se jí bál?
Neustále se zdůrazňuje, že jediným důvodem, proč je vypravěč ve válce, je jeho deklarované (velko)německé vlastenectví (a nikoliv třeba pobláznění hitlerovskou rasovou ideologií a podobnými nesmysly). Jak se ale tohle vlastenectví snáší s tím, že prakticky první věc, kterou Lubbeck po válce udělá, je, že z Německa emigruje, a v závěru se dokonce prohlašuje za Američana tělem a duší, který nemá s Německem (už) nic společného?
Popis válečných hrůz je naštěstí přiměřeně vágní. Často je vyprávěn formou anekdoty - kde pointa jsou mrtví lidé ve vysokém počtu.
Vzpomínky na to, co pan Lubbeck prožil, jsou navzdory snaze o to, oddělit je od velkého narativu dějin, s těmito velkými dějinami tak nešťastně promíchány, takže vypravěč tu a tam vysvětluje, co se dělo na jiné části fronty, kde nebyl a o které nejspíš toho mnoho ani za války nevěděl. Nadbytečné je třeba porovnávání podmínek za druhé světové s podmínkami v zákopech za první světové (pan Lubbeck se narodil v roce 1920). Čtenář se neubrání myšlence, co z popisovaného jsou skutečné zážitky pana Lubbecka a co pochází z paměti někoho jiného.
Když starý muž vzpomíná na mládí, vždycky je ve svých vzpomínkách vzorem ctností - a pan Lubbeck není výjimkou. Na frontě nesouložil (pouze toužebně vzdychal po své vyvolené), nepil (resp. pil méně než ostatní), sice kouřil, pravda:D), ale vždy se zachoval správně, ale přesto ho trápí svědomí, že se mohl snažit víc. Často zajímavější než číst o tom, jak pan Lubbeck tehdy podle svých pamětí o mnoho desítek let později smýšlel, je číst mezi řádky, co pana Lubbecka vůbec nezajímalo. Paradoxně to jsou osudy malých lidí kolem sebe. Zdrcující je, že při evakuaci Pobaltí a Východního Pruska pana Lubbecka zajímalo jen to, co se stane s etnickými Němci - ostatní prostě neprošli rastrem jeho vnímání a byli mu patrně lhostejní - nejspíš mu byli lhostejní i v době sepisování pamětí.
V úvodu knihy pan Lubbeck tvrdí, že on sám není hrdina, že hrdinové jsou němečtí vojáci padlí na frontě. (A v závěru tutéž myšlenku ilustruje implovanou tezí, že je vlastně jedno, na které frontě člověk bojoval.) Jsem přesvědčený, že to tak pan Lubbeck cítí v zájmu své sebeúcty a kvůli tomu, že nežil v důsledně denacifikovaném Německu. Pro mě ale voják, který vede nespravedlivou válku, nemůže být hrdinou. Může být kolečkem v soukolí, tragickou obětí, užitečným idiotem - můžu ho chápat, můžu ho omlouvat, můžu s ním soucítit, ale nebude pro mě hrdinou.
December 11, 2019
Guess this will teach me to better read reviews in the future as there was plenty of comments "warning" about the depth of the book.
I am not saying that this was a bad account, I just think that it was too shallow for a war memoir, especially when you compare it to some of the other memoirs available. I think it is also evident that the book was geared mainly towards American readers and felt that it was an instrument for fulfilling Lubbeck's desire to become American himself.
While the book offers insights into Lubbeck's life as a soldier, it does not go into deeper details of his combat nor his rear guard experience save for a few selected stories. This might be because the book was written decades after the war itself, but I still feel like that this could have been more fleshed out had there been any intention for more details.
Finally, even though I am not challenging the Lubbeck family's attitude towards the nazi regime of the time, I am still wondering about the necessity of having to emphasise it so often that the family was really against them. It borderline feels apologetic to me for being German - or for being German who had lived the better part of his life in the United States.
I would say that the book is worth a reading, despite it not being what I was looking for.
I am not saying that this was a bad account, I just think that it was too shallow for a war memoir, especially when you compare it to some of the other memoirs available. I think it is also evident that the book was geared mainly towards American readers and felt that it was an instrument for fulfilling Lubbeck's desire to become American himself.
While the book offers insights into Lubbeck's life as a soldier, it does not go into deeper details of his combat nor his rear guard experience save for a few selected stories. This might be because the book was written decades after the war itself, but I still feel like that this could have been more fleshed out had there been any intention for more details.
Finally, even though I am not challenging the Lubbeck family's attitude towards the nazi regime of the time, I am still wondering about the necessity of having to emphasise it so often that the family was really against them. It borderline feels apologetic to me for being German - or for being German who had lived the better part of his life in the United States.
I would say that the book is worth a reading, despite it not being what I was looking for.
February 10, 2025
Well, I guess we should embrace all first person accounts from WWII veterans, but I found several of the author’s claims to be highly suspect. That may not be fair on my account, as HE was the one present, not me. But artillery shells exploding “3 feet” from him and him being uninjured? Error in the naming of the Soviet battleship firing on the German position near Leningrad? Apparent revisionist history as to German atrocities and lack of any first hand knowledge of same by a German officer, all the while counterattacking with Western and Soviet mistreatment of Germans. All a bit questionable and tiresome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2018
Great First Hand View of The German Army at the Russian Front
This a great first hand view of the German army at the Russian front. The descriptions of being in a foxhole with Russian aircraft bombing and strafing, artillery and mortar rounds exploding all around, and killing comrads and friends made me almost feel like I was in the foxhole. He offers a chilling description of the initial shock of see friends and comrades being killed and wounded.
This a great first hand view of the German army at the Russian front. The descriptions of being in a foxhole with Russian aircraft bombing and strafing, artillery and mortar rounds exploding all around, and killing comrads and friends made me almost feel like I was in the foxhole. He offers a chilling description of the initial shock of see friends and comrades being killed and wounded.
August 28, 2025
Light spoiler!
It was truly interesting to read about he p.o.v from a German soldier. I never read a book before from this view.
Although I hoped to learn more about the battle of Leningrad itself, this book shows all the awful sides of war on the east front and much more. In the beginning it is hard to belief that a German soldier does not know about he atrocities of the Nazi party, but Lübbecke beautifully portrays his patriotic reasons to fight for a better Germany. Great book!
It was truly interesting to read about he p.o.v from a German soldier. I never read a book before from this view.
Although I hoped to learn more about the battle of Leningrad itself, this book shows all the awful sides of war on the east front and much more. In the beginning it is hard to belief that a German soldier does not know about he atrocities of the Nazi party, but Lübbecke beautifully portrays his patriotic reasons to fight for a better Germany. Great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2019
A very good book
A unique look at the war from a German soldier point of view. I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed reading the Ted Roosevelt quote on immigrants from other countries who assimilate. I wish people would think this way today, getting rid of hyphen between their home country and their new adopted country.
A unique look at the war from a German soldier point of view. I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed reading the Ted Roosevelt quote on immigrants from other countries who assimilate. I wish people would think this way today, getting rid of hyphen between their home country and their new adopted country.
October 29, 2023
Excellent!
Excellent book! This is one of the best books Ive read from a German soldiers perspective of life on the Eastern Front. Mr. Lubbeck does an exceptional job at conveying the thoughts and feelings of a soldier while also giving the reader insight into the conditions faced by German soldiers fighting in Russia.
Excellent book! This is one of the best books Ive read from a German soldiers perspective of life on the Eastern Front. Mr. Lubbeck does an exceptional job at conveying the thoughts and feelings of a soldier while also giving the reader insight into the conditions faced by German soldiers fighting in Russia.
January 12, 2019
Pleased to read another memoir of my ancestor's trials
A wonderful story, worthy of our times, even now - Powerful, yet down to earth, an historian's treat - Absolutley worth your time!
A wonderful story, worthy of our times, even now - Powerful, yet down to earth, an historian's treat - Absolutley worth your time!
January 13, 2023
Great story during and after the war
The author integrates his wartime combat with his personal life really well. His narrow escapes seem like divine intervention. He was quickly able to advance in the military--so, too, in his civilian life in the US.
The author integrates his wartime combat with his personal life really well. His narrow escapes seem like divine intervention. He was quickly able to advance in the military--so, too, in his civilian life in the US.
March 25, 2024
German apologist
The book was fine until the epilogue. I don’t feel bad for Germans who lost their property that killed millions of Jewish people for simply being Jewish. A very small price to pay for one of many kinds biggest tragedies.
The book was fine until the epilogue. I don’t feel bad for Germans who lost their property that killed millions of Jewish people for simply being Jewish. A very small price to pay for one of many kinds biggest tragedies.
December 24, 2024
Just the facts
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's just the straight out facts that the author lived. It even has his post war life. Which often not included and I find very interesting
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's just the straight out facts that the author lived. It even has his post war life. Which often not included and I find very interesting
May 28, 2025
I find most military memoirs a little bit boring. This book was not. The description of the author's youth growing up on a quaint farm in the German countryside was especially vivid and a pleasure to read.
January 12, 2019
Good personal account of the life of a German Soldier with coverage before, during, and after the war.
May 23, 2023
Excellent autobiography, dealing mainly with the author's experience in Russia during WW2.
February 28, 2025
Focuses a lot more on his time during leave and I don't believe he told his full story of his time at the front
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
interesting first hand account
Well written, broad perspective. Unapologetic yet responsible. Great insight into the Wehrmacht vis a vis the SS during war time.
Well written, broad perspective. Unapologetic yet responsible. Great insight into the Wehrmacht vis a vis the SS during war time.
September 3, 2025
This was an interesting read about a young man and his life in Germany and service in WW2 through his eyes as a German Soldier.
September 10, 2025
Great read!
Great book! Gives you the perspective of an ordinary German caught up in the chaos of ww2. I highly recommend it!
Great book! Gives you the perspective of an ordinary German caught up in the chaos of ww2. I highly recommend it!
September 4, 2024
Uncle Paul
My Uncle Paul was drafted into the German Army in 1939, following my Uncle Hans, who had enlisted in 1932. Hans fought on the Western Front, until he was moved down to Italy. He was taken prisoner after swimming the P.o River and spent the last month's of the war in a prison camp in Africa.
Paul was shipped to Leningrad after fighting through the Russian plains. He was reported as the first man of his company to fall. His grave has never been found.
My Uncle Paul was drafted into the German Army in 1939, following my Uncle Hans, who had enlisted in 1932. Hans fought on the Western Front, until he was moved down to Italy. He was taken prisoner after swimming the P.o River and spent the last month's of the war in a prison camp in Africa.
Paul was shipped to Leningrad after fighting through the Russian plains. He was reported as the first man of his company to fall. His grave has never been found.
July 27, 2024
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good war memoir written from the German frontline soldier perspective. It is well written but somewhat spiritless accounts of the author’s life. Definitely read like a stereotypical German personality - no nonsense and to the point. What I did not like was commentary on how brutal the Russians were with regard to war reprisals and when taking territory without a comment on how the Germans often acted exactly the same way in Russia. Obviously Lubbeck was trying to cast the German’s as the “good guys” and clearly, he was trying to sell this book to Americans. Repeatedly, he comments on how “my family didn’t support Hitler. We were not Nazis” to the point of overcompensation. I had the feeling reading this that he was diehard supporter (at the time), but just couldn’t bring himself to write that.
January 26, 2025
Titlul complet al cartii este "La portile Leningradului" povestea unui soldat din Grupul Nordic de Armata. Continutul se bazeaza pe "nenumărate ore de interviuri înregistrate".
Soldatul care ne povesteste experientele lui de lupta si viata din anii razboiului se numeste Wilhelm Lübbecke si face parte din Wermacht. Cartea cuprinde desfasurarea cronologica a miscarilor de trupe si a confruntarilor pentru Leningrad, in paralele cu evenimentele din viata lui privata - Anneliese logodnica, scrisori de dragoste, concedii acasa la ferma parintilor.
O carte document, cu harti si fotografii, care explica acesiunea partidului nazist, declansarea razboiului si sustinerea efortului militar de catre intreaga natiune germana. Nu este o marturie de disculpare, ci o relatare nuantata si inteligenta a unor evenimente sangeroase.
Soldatul care ne povesteste experientele lui de lupta si viata din anii razboiului se numeste Wilhelm Lübbecke si face parte din Wermacht. Cartea cuprinde desfasurarea cronologica a miscarilor de trupe si a confruntarilor pentru Leningrad, in paralele cu evenimentele din viata lui privata - Anneliese logodnica, scrisori de dragoste, concedii acasa la ferma parintilor.
O carte document, cu harti si fotografii, care explica acesiunea partidului nazist, declansarea razboiului si sustinerea efortului militar de catre intreaga natiune germana. Nu este o marturie de disculpare, ci o relatare nuantata si inteligenta a unor evenimente sangeroase.
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