Order of Battle

by Ib Melchior

U.S. intelligence officers set out to stop the Werewolves, Hitler's secret terrorist organization, whose ultimate goal is the assassination of General Eisenhower

Genres: History, Military Fiction, World War II

314 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Ib Jørgen Melchior was a novelist, short story writer, film producer, film director, and screenwriter of low-budget American science fiction movies, most of them released by American International Pictures.In world War II, he served with the OSS ,for awhile, then was transferred to the U.S. Military Intelligence Service, spending two years in the European theater of War as a military intelligence investigator attached to Counter Intelligence.

In 1965, he was dubbed Knight Commander of the Militant Order of Saint Brigitte of Sweden.In 1976, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films awarded Ib Melchior its Golden Scroll Award to Merit for Outstanding Achievement.

Melchior's novels include Code Name: Grand Guignol, Eva, The Haigerloch Project, The Marcus Device, Order of Battle: Hitler's Werewolves, Sleeper Agent, The Tombstone Cipher and The Watchdogs of Abaddon.

Reviews

[Cameron]

Ib Melchior's 1972 novel was based on his WWII experiences as a counterintelligence agent in Germany, during the very last days of the war in Europe. Told alternately from the point of view of Erik, a Danish-American intelligence officer, and of Willi, a dedicated Nazi involved in Hitler's guerrilla Werewolves unit, the story unfolds as the Werewolves prepare to establish a secret base to inflict chaos on American occupying forces in Germany. Using his skills as an interrogator and a natural sleuth, Erik uncovers the scheme to hide hundreds of German soldiers underground to carry out murder and sabotage. Fiercely dedicated to the Nazi cause, Willi does everything to keep his operation secret and to perform his top-priority mission: the assassination of General Eisenhower.

The story is a good one, although Melchior draws it out a bit too long, weaving in a skeptical US Army colonel who thinks Erik is deluded about Germans living underground. The real problem with this book is Melchior's lack of writing skills, subjecting the reader to drab, cliche-ridden prose, corny romance and awkward sex scenes. Melchior did better work writing science fiction, and the truth behind this novel is told in his far more readable 1993 memoir, Case by Case: A U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent in World War II. The novel ends with a military report that describes what actually took place. Melchior received the Silver Star for his role in locating the Werewolf base.

Had the werewolves succeeded in establishing their underground base, the occupation of Germany would have been far bloodier and more difficult than it was, but the Nazis--for all their discipline and fanaticism--were remarkably clumsy administrators. This plot failed like all the others, and the rest is history.

[Pasi Rahko]

The story about the Hitler's guerrilla Werewolves, the resistance force which would operate behind enemy lines as the Allies advanced through Germany, was actually a good one. But the written prose itself was so dull and dry that I had to fight against the urge to put it down before reaching the ending of book. Story is told alternately from the point of view of Erik, a Danish-American intelligence officer, and of Willi, dedicated Nazi involved in Werewolves unit. Willi was the most interesting and complex character in the book, whereas Erik was more boy-scout character. My rating: two and a half star.

[T Dale]

Good easily read yarn from WWII. Based on author's own experiences. Author went on to become successful screen writer specializing in SF. Read his wiki bio - he's still kicking.

[Steve]

Great book!