Paul Hederer Posted 29 October , 2004 Share Posted 29 October , 2004 The Holocaust: From a Survivor of Verdun. William Hermanns. 140pp. Non-fiction. Out-of-print, available used at Amazon, etc. The recent discussion of Ernst Junger's works prompted me to add this book, what I feel is one of the best narratives from the German side, to the forum. The book relates the experiences of Hermanns, a young German infantryman, from his joining the army until his capture by the French at Verdun. The the book vividly relates the horrors of Verdun as seen through the eyes of a young man who joined the army with dreams of "winning a chest full of medals to impress the girl back home." It's been some time since I've read this book, but I can still recall his descriptions of the effects of being under fire from huge caliber guns, and being trapped underground like a rat in the "M-Werk." Well worth a read, and can be found used for between 12-20$. Paul Hederer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 29 October , 2004 Share Posted 29 October , 2004 Paul Thanks very much for the heads-up on this. I have just ordered a copy. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 31 October , 2004 Share Posted 31 October , 2004 I would also like to order a copy. I had no luck at all finding it on Amazon. Where did you order yours from RObert? Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 31 October , 2004 Share Posted 31 October , 2004 www.abebooks.com If you use this url: http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/Search...Verdun&sortby=2 it should bring up the list. Abebooks have been excellent to deal with. Just as good as Amazon but with a huge selection of historical titles because they have links with so many bookshops. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 31 October , 2004 Share Posted 31 October , 2004 Thanks Robert. I have now also ordered a copy. Will look forward to everyone's views of this book. Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 31 October , 2004 Share Posted 31 October , 2004 Paul Thanks for this lead. It is a translation of a German war book of which I was unaware until today. It makes number 110 in my bibliographys of German language novels personal accounts and diaries published in English since 1915 by those other than "the brass". Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hederer Posted 1 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2004 David, I hope you (all) enjoy it. It's funny, it seems to just fallen off the face of the planet. I first read it many years ago, and then only found a copy again recently. I remember searching a few years back for a copy on-line and coming up empty handed. I don't think it's had many print runs. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 5 November , 2004 Share Posted 5 November , 2004 Hi all, Just received the copy I ordered from Abebooks. From order to delivery from NY it took only 5 days. Amazing, probably faster than Royal Mail. Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewey Posted 19 November , 2004 Share Posted 19 November , 2004 I just ordered a copy of this book in great condition for only $7.99. Thanks for the heads up, I look forward to reading it. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hederer Posted 21 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 21 November , 2004 Hello, I'm curious if any of you have had time to finish the book, and what you thought? I just read it again this weekend, and found it as good as the first time, quite a few years back. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 25 November , 2004 Share Posted 25 November , 2004 I have read it, and it is worthwhile, particularly so because of the very few translations of German war books which cover Verdun. Hermanns was there in October 16 at the time of the retaking of Douaumont. It also one of the few translations in which a German soldier really expresses resentment of war and the the brass. It also lacks any literary artifce and offers a genuine description of horror, corruption and the spiritual desolation of war - particularly Verdun. Although other writers touch on the aspect of resentment, Hermanns is unusual in expressing his views so strongly, the more so since he was a one year volunteer, and thus an officer candidate. For information he left Germany in 34, moving to the US, bexcoming a respected academic. The book was not published in the UK. regrads David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewey Posted 30 November , 2004 Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Hi everyone, I just finished reading this book and I have to say that I think it was an excellant description of trench warfare during those four particular days in October of 1916. My only complaint would be I wish it was longer. However it is a relatively cheap purchase and I highly recommend it. The book feels almost exactly the opposite of The Storm of Steel By: Ernst Junger as Hermanns is very despondent of his circumstances. It is priceless as it is a description of the battle of Verdun from the perspective of a German private. Hope you all enjoy it. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hederer Posted 2 December , 2004 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2004 Hello, Makes me happy to see others have enjoyed this great book. It's a bit of a "lost treasure," in my opinion, and out of print for a long time. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 15 December , 2004 Share Posted 15 December , 2004 I have just finished the book today. It offers some excellent insights into the training of German soldiers as well. I also thought the influence of German propaganda before the war was an intriging facet of the book. Following on from recent discussions on attrition, it was noteworthy that Hermanns knew from newspaper clippings from his Aunt, as well as briefings, that Verdun was an attritional battle. Hermanns seems to have driven some of his colleagues to distraction. He found it hard to participate in the fighting, opting out on several occasions. Having recently read Richard Holme's book 'Acts of War', which emphasized the importance of small group cohesion, it is not a wonder that Hermanns was regarded with suspicion and almost contempt at times. As mentioned above, quite a contrast to Ernst Junger. It seems that his background as a Rhinelander distinguished him from the Prussians. There is evidence of the racist attitudes in the German Army towards Polish and Alsatian soldiers as well. I had hoped that there would be more details about combat operations. Hermanns was assigned to a heavy machine gun company (67th Regiment). There is a dearth of first-hand accounts about this arm. Still an interesting book. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hederer Posted 16 December , 2004 Author Share Posted 16 December , 2004 Robert, Good observations. I remember when I first read the book, oh my, about 20 years ago (in the flower of my youth ) I felt a bit disgusted with Hermanns myself. Looking at him now, in the light 20 years of military service myself, I can appreciate him for his value, while realizing he is the type of person who makes a poor soldier. I always remember the passage where he slowly falls behind his comrades while moving to the front, and then throws away the ammunition for his M.G. section--Hermanns was no prize as a squad member. I think his superiors were probably right on the mark in derailing his path to a commission--he had the education and the background to be an officer, but not the attitude nor the discipline. It's interesting that you mention him as a Rheinlander. My wife is a Rheinlanderin, and she'll tell you they have a "touch of the French," which she means in the most positive of lights--in matters of culture and freedom of expression, etc. Pass from one Rhein-side to the other and the contrast is definite--we often compare Mainz to Wiesbaden, seperated by a few kilometers and "papa" Rhein. Overall I think "The Holocaust," well worth reading for, as you mentioned, the insight into training (almost exactly what Remarque related) and for the different insight it gives into the mind of one German soldier. Hermanns balances the likes of "iron youth of the trenches," Junger who falls at the other end of the spectrum. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 16 December , 2004 Share Posted 16 December , 2004 It's interesting that you mention him as a Rheinlander. My wife is a Rheinlanderin, and she'll tell you they have a "touch of the French," which she means in the most positive of lights--in matters of culture and freedom of expression, etc. Paul This is very interesting. I can see this reflected in the Hermanns' forthright nature. Thanks for this insight. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 28 March , 2005 Share Posted 28 March , 2005 I am selling a copy of this book which is in good condition with a well preserved jacket. I am moving to a smaller house and cannot fit all my books into it. Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmarc Posted 15 April , 2008 Share Posted 15 April , 2008 Thanks for all the oppinions about this book. I hadn't heard of this one before untill now, and now I'm looking for a copy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 15 April , 2008 Share Posted 15 April , 2008 Robert, Good observations. I remember when I first read the book, oh my, about 20 years ago (in the flower of my youth ) I felt a bit disgusted with Hermanns myself. Looking at him now, in the light 20 years of military service myself, I can appreciate him for his value, while realizing he is the type of person who makes a poor soldier. I always remember the passage where he slowly falls behind his comrades while moving to the front, and then throws away the ammunition for his M.G. section--Hermanns was no prize as a squad member. I think his superiors were probably right on the mark in derailing his path to a commission--he had the education and the background to be an officer, but not the attitude nor the discipline. It's interesting that you mention him as a Rheinlander. My wife is a Rheinlanderin, and she'll tell you they have a "touch of the French," which she means in the most positive of lights--in matters of culture and freedom of expression, etc. Pass from one Rhein-side to the other and the contrast is definite--we often compare Mainz to Wiesbaden, seperated by a few kilometers and "papa" Rhein. Overall I think "The Holocaust," well worth reading for, as you mentioned, the insight into training (almost exactly what Remarque related) and for the different insight it gives into the mind of one German soldier. Hermanns balances the likes of "iron youth of the trenches," Junger who falls at the other end of the spectrum. Paul Well, of course, much of the Rhineland was Celtic territory not Germanic. The city name Trier comes from the Celtic Treveri. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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