Publisher Description

In August 1942, Wigand Wüster was a twenty-two-year-old officer in the German Wehrmacht. The short life expectancies of the Eastern Front made him a veteran commander even at that age. He led a battery in an artillery regiment as it approached Stalingrad for a World War II–defining clash with the Soviet Red Army. For Wüster, 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. Stalingrad would change everything.In this brutally honest account, Wüster provides a glimpse into the Eastern Front rarely seen before. With frankness, humor, and perception, Wüster takes the reader from the heady days of the German 1942 summer offensive into the icy hell of Stalingrad's final hours—and finally into his Soviet captivity. Accounts of artillery on the Eastern Front are rare, and Wüster was an especially keen observer of the hell of Stalingrad.The book has been supplemented with photos and maps by Jason Mark, who originally published it through his Australia-based company Leaping Horseman Books. This will be our third time reprinting one of Jason's publications. These titles are expensive hardcovers, with low production costs to us, and a built-in audience that knows the books but was unable to purchase a copy.

Author Biography

Wigand Wüster spent four years in Soviet captivity after World War II and then became a lawyer in Germany. He died in 2017 at age ninety-six.

Long Description

In August 1942, Wigand Wuster was a twenty-two-year-old officer in the German Wehrmacht. The short life expectancies of the Eastern Front made him a veteran commander even at that age. He led a battery in an artillery regiment as it approached Stalingrad for a World War II-defining clash with the Soviet Red Army. For Wuster, 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. Stalingrad would change everything. In this brutally honest account, Wuster provides a glimpse into the Eastern Front rarely seen before. With frankness, humor, and perception, Wuster takes the reader from the heady days of the German 1942 summer offensive into the icy hell of Stalingrad's final hours-and finally into his Soviet captivity. Accounts of artillery on the Eastern Front are rare, and Wuster was an especially keen observer of the hell of Stalingrad. The book has been supplemented with photos and maps by Jason Mark, who originally published it through his Australia-based company Leaping Horseman Books. This will be our third time reprinting one of Jason's publications. These titles are expensive hardcovers, with low production costs to us, and a built-in audience that knows the books but was unable to purchase a copy.

Review Text

NetGalley Review: 4 starsLast updated on 06 Jul 2021"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."--Ron Baumer, reviewer at Nawah Energy

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