Obedient Unto Death: A Panzer-Grenadier of the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler Reports

by Werner Kindler

Between 1941 and 1944 Waffen-SS Oberscharfuhrer (Sergeant) Werner Kindler took part in 84 days of close combat, qualifying him for the Close Combat Clasp in Gold, the Third Reich s highest decoration for a frontline soldier. He was also awarded the German Cross in Gold, the Iron Cross First and Second Class and the Wound Badge in Gold.Drafted into the SS-Totenkopf in 1939, he served with a motorized unit in Poland, and in May 1941 was selected for the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler, with which he fought in the invasion of the Soviet Union. His unit converted to a Panzer Grenadier formation in 1942, and Kindler went on to fight at Kharkov and Kursk on the Eastern Front, and later in Belgium and France in 1944, where he was present at the infamous Malmedy massacre. At the end of the war, he was the last man of the Leibstandarte-SS to surrender to the Americans. This is one of the most dramatic first-hand accounts to come out of the Second World War."

Genres: Biography, Military Fiction, World War II

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this first-hand account of combat action during World War II. Werner Kindler was a heavy machine gunner in a Heavy Armor Company, panzer grenadier divison.

Throughout the narrative Kindler voiced serveing with a sense of duty and conviction. He described how he was protecting his family and their way of life from the eastern Russian hoards and from the Americans & Allies who would conquer & divide the land, eradicate the German culture, and destroy the remaining German military (pg. 88).

Kindler started an infantryman in the 4th SS-Infantry Regiment (Motorized) and was transferred to 2nd-SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler in 1941. He told his story about his life and death experiences in the Eastern Front (Operation Citadel, Kharkov, Kursk), mobilization to Italy, and later redeployment to France to fight the American and Allied forces of D-Day. Kindler was a person who was loyal to his comrades and his leaders. After release from an Allied prison in Germany he resumed his life, reconnected with friends and members of his old unit, and regularly attended unit reunions. Kindler truly was obedient unto death.

Overall the book was personal account, history lesson on combat, and personal conviction. I would recommend this, Twilight of the Gods by Thorolf Hillblad, and Für Volk and Fürher by Erwin Bartmann on personal accounts of SS grenadiers on the Eastern Front. Thanks!

[Christopher Hawkes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me be clear I have given this book a one star because of the way it was written, not because of the topic or the authors beliefs.

I was expecting a memoir in the tone of “Twilight of the Gods” or “Für Volk and Führer” both of which I read and enjoyed. Instead what you get here is a very dry listing of facts and the dates on which the events happened.

I wouldn’t call this book a memoir more like a reference book. If you’re looking for dates on who fought where /when, who got what award when, who got injured when, who got promoted when.. etc. you get the point, then this book is for you. If you’re looking to get insights into what a solider went through, his emotions, thoughts and experience expressed in a personal way then this book is not for you.

A real shame as I think this could have been a very interesting read...

[MGF MGF · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing perspective, it's a great diarised biography of a foot soldier within the ranks of the Waffen SS. Excellent read, highly recommended to those with an interest in WW2 history.

[Stephen Hackney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was an unabashed Nazi soldier from beginning to the end. He presents a viewpoint and perspective, especially at the beginning of his work, and his recounting of the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, that is pure Nazi propaganda. Most soldiers in the Wehrmacht, certainly the General Staff, were not Nazis. Of course, the author was a member of the Waffen SS, not a member of the Wehrmacht. Aside from this, the author moves his memoirs along at a good pace; recounts the numerous battles, from his limited, on-the-scene perspective, of specific events. His experiences, while generally following those of the SS Leibstandarte Division, describes the battles his Regiment, and its several Battalions and Companies experienced. Either his memory, or his research is superb in naming his fellow members in his Company(ies), the Battalion and Regimental leaders, their role, their ranks, and when and where they "fell." However, his memoirs lack a vitality, a telling of his experiences in which the reader can feel any empathy or care about what is transpiring. For what the author provides in accuracy in names, places, and events, his accounting lacks any meaningful depth to the recounting of these events.

[Martin Spetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author remained unrepentant and loyal until the day he passed away long after the war. An interesting view on his experiences during the war, though slanted in his defense of the side he fought for in the war.

[james caro]

Harrowing account of a young man bravery

Harrowing account of a young man bravery!
Incredible read
Totally recommended for those interested in world war 2 history . Hard to put down!

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good memoir, but not one I would recommend for those looking for their first soldier memoir. I'd recommend it for those who are either interested in learning about mobile/APC warfare, or in my case, interested in learning about all the varied aspects of warfare during WW2.

I've read a number of German memoirs and this is my second time reading a memoir by a former member of the LSSAH. I found his account fascinating, though quite technical and detailed. Kindler focuses mainly on combat to the exclusion of other details of soldiery life.

Though I am someone who is not quite so technical, I still read the book with rapt attention: Kindler's narrative is readable and the translator did a good job, although I wish he had left off condemning Kindler as a lifelong believer in National Socialism. It kind of made me wary that he might not be faithful in his translation of Kindler's words.

I appreciated learning about Kindler's superiors, Guhl, Gührs, Wolff, Preuss and of course Peiper. Whatever negative things could be said about them, the Waffen-SS was a unique organization with a distinct culture of their own.

For those who struggle with the difference between the US/UK/German Army/Waffen-SS ranking systems, the translator gives ranks in their English-language equivalents, for the most part.

Again, it's a good memoir provided that you are looking for something specific. In light of that, I gave it four stars.

[Tonet Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to Review

This is a tough one to review. I don't agree that he was unrepentant -- I can't read minds. He was certainly saddened by the defeat of Germany, and the brief references to camaraderie seem genuine. The SS-Ppz.Rgtz 1 of the SS Leibstandarte AH was certainly guilty of brutal atrocities in Russia, Baugnez, Ligneuville, Stavelot, Cheneux and other places. The trials in Dachau were clumsily conducted with a lot of understandable grandstanding on both sides. The claim of torture and fake executions during interrogation is persistent if mostly unsubstantiated. The war crimes were horrific and truly evil -- one only has to read of the uncontested revelations of the crew of Diefenthals' SPW in Ligneuville and Cheneux to be saddened by the senseless nature of the killings. It's possible to explain the mindset of the criminals, but that's just an explanation, not an excuse.

The value of this volume is historical. It is a point of view from the German side of some of the most significant battles of WW2. It's not scholarly, nor is it a strategic or tactical point of view. Its just a German point of view, and there is precious little of that. The names of the various commanders, NCOs and troops are generally correct, as far as I can tell, and so there is historical value to that for a researcher or historian.

[Anthony Elberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I liked this book he explained it just right for me so I recommend it, the ending was a bit weird but that's cool.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dry not enough on the individuals experiences. Try Guy Sajer the forgotten soldier so much better