AN ARTILLERYMAN IN STALINGRAD - Memoirs of a Participant in the Battle.

by Wigand Wüster

Oberleutnant Dr. Wigand Wüster, a battery commander in Artillerie-Regiment 171 (71. Infanterie-Division) writes about his experiences in Stalingrad. The guns and men of the battery, as well as Wüster himself, were not safely emplaced many kilometres behind the front, but were sited in the suburbs of the devastated city. Their area of operations was central Stalingrad and they were faced by the tough Guardsmen of Rodimtsev's division. Wüster writes honestly and openly about everything that occured, a trait not possessed by many author veterans.

In August 1942, Wigand Wüster was a veteran 22-year-old officer leading an artillery battery in Artillerie-Regiment 171 (71. Inf.-Div.) as it approached Stalingrad. The preceding months had been marked by heat, dust, endless marches, and brief skirmishes with the enemy but mostly by an ongoing battle with his bullying battalion commander.

In this brutally honest account, Wüster provides a glimpse of the war on the Eastern Front rarely seen before. With frankness, humour and perception, Wüster takes us from the heady days of the German 1942 summer offensive to the icy hell of Stalingrads final hours, and finally into captivity.

2007, hard bound with color illustrated covers, 6 1/2 x 8 1/2, vii, 255 pages, 160 photos, 3 maps, 3 aerial photos, 5 appendices. glossy page stock, well illustrated with photos & maps, notes, index.

Genres: World War II

255 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those with an interest, this book provides a fascinating view of both the Battle of Stalingrad and the life of a Lieutenant of the Artillery. It is a small portion of Wüster's larger German-language memoir. I love his personality and sense of humor, and wish I could read his war memoirs in their entirety. The pictures, though not high quality, provide excellent insight into daily life, the conditions in Russia, and Stalingrad particularly. The other thing I liked about this book (perhaps not the edition pictured, I don't know) is that a number of accounts from other soldiers are included at the end. While Wüster's account is in narrative form, the others take more of the form of journal entries, yet both provide valuable insight.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read on the life of a German artillery officer at Stalingrad during WW2. The story told from his first hand account is a vivid description of the hardships faced during the siege of Stalingrad. A great read for the historical enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Mark does it again! He did not write the book, but the translation and the publication of such a work is outstanding. The personal perspective of the author was well presented and kept the reader engaged. The perspective of an artillery battery commander during the fight for stalingrad was outstanding. It would seem the challenges of battery command are the same wherever you are. Artilleryman have a bond regardless of the nation of origin. Dr. Wuster gives a great account, no holds barred. Great book!

[John Brosnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a Jason Mark book!!! Nuff said!! Great personal story of the hell on Earth called Stalingrad. He has a great tale in the he book regards to being reprimanded. I enjoyed this read.