Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans Von Luck

by Hans von Luck

Book Overview

A stunning look at World War II from the other side... From the turret of a German tank, Colonel Hans von Luck commanded Rommel's 7th and then 21st Panzer Division. El Alamein, Kasserine Pass, Poland, Belgium, Normandy on D-Day, the disastrous Russian front--von Luck fought there with some of the best soldiers in the world. German soldiers. Awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross, von Luck writes as an officer and a gentleman. Told...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440208025
• ISBN13: 9780440208020
• Release Date: February 1991
• Publisher: Dell
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Why I enjoyed reading these fascinating memoirs...

I have read countless World War 2 history books; some I struggled my way through, but others have been fascinating reads. So for example, Beevor's 'Berlin' and 'Stalingrad' were certainly easier than Wilmot's 'Struggle for Europe'. I found von Luck's story fascinating because of the hundreds of anecdotes and observations that you seldom come across in more strategic history books. He certainly lived up to the English word 'Luck' and that he survived conflict from 1 September 1939 until the defense of Berlin 1945 and then another 5 years in a Russian prison camp is extraordinary. For serious students of Rommel, this book is a must as it highlights a number of personal interactions between von Luck and his commander. The French campaign is described in great detail and von Luck gives some wonderful descriptions of Rommel's tactics and how he wins his men's loyalty. The story of von Luck's capture of Fecamp would be humorous if it wasn't warfare. To me this account of the capture of the harbour was a highlight of the first hundred pages of the book. I'd suggest at this stage you'd either be hooked to continue reading or otherwise don't waste your time as the rest of the memoirs are filled with similar such stories. I also loved reading about the post 1945 years, the harsh years in captivity and how he created a new life for himself after his release in January 1950. He won my admiration and yet all through the memoirs you do sense his constraint in retelling these years. He does not glorify war and actual specific details of battle are often quite impersonal. Instead he excels in the observation of his encounters with people - with the famous such as Guderian and Rommel to the ordinary such as Russian guards and peasants, French resistance with whom he watched 'illegal' jazz and of course his interactions with his men and colleagues. His memoirs recount his love affair with Dagmar who is "one-eighth Jewish". It is the detail around the events of her father being imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and von Luck's attempt to intervene by asking to meet with Kaltenbrunner that make for riveting reading. He also intervenes on behalf a Frenchman arrested by the Gestapo and I found his conciliatory attitude towards his Russian captors amazing. Cynics may brush these accounts aside as selective memory but I found all these stories remarkably consistent with the character of the man who emerges from all these stories. He was a proud German army officer of the Third Reich and his recognition of this is not hidden, nor does he shy away from acknowledging the horrors perpetrated by his fellow countrymen and his own inner turmoil and frustration. There will always be heart break for a patriot of an evil regime. A great read; my only disappointment being that 350 odd pages went by so quickly.

Classic Memoir with Unmatched Breadth

First let me say that I find it nearly impossible to believe that anyone could give this book less than four stars. If you have a true interest in learning the thoughts of a German solider, buy this book. The value far exceeds the cost of the book. Previous low ratings are either completely biased against German points of view or they had expected something more traditional (blood & guts) and would not allow their horizons to expand. This is the sixth book that I have read from the WWII Library and by far the best. I had expected something more like Currahee, Road to Arnem, etc.; but was pleasantly surprised. Panzer Commander is a collection of stories written from a German soldier who fought in nearly every major WWII battle. His experiences include the blitzkrieg through Poland and the remainder of Europe, the invasion of Russia, the battles in North Africa, D-Day at Normandy, the gradual retreat toward and defense of Germany and nearly five years in Russian POW labor camps. The Colonel gives one of the most seemingly unbiased accounts of the War and political climate that I have ever read. He is the true professional soldier, fighting in a War that he does not necessarily believe in, but because it is his duty as an officer (at first) and to protect his homeland (toward the end). He gives the reader an understanding of how Hitler slowly gained popularity and how Goebbels created a propaganda machine that rarely reflected reality. Von Luck also gives the reader a firsthand account of Rommel and of his later frustrations with the German leadership. It is uncanny how closely Rommel resembles General Patten. He is strong willed, takes unorthodox approaches and generally succeeds. Throughout his experiences, Von Luck's curiosity of different lands and people is obvious. He looks at people objectively, trying to understand why they think a certain way and understand their differences. Von Luck relates to people well and does not prejudge them. This is probably the single most important trait he possesses and one of the main reasons he was successful throughout the war and survived the labor camps.

One of the best

In 1992, I Was in Normandie, and study the theaters of "D-day". One of the reader was Colonel Hans Von Luck.Hes trameduos way of telling his story of the war was unique, This man and his storis catch me, that he was an gentleman and a proffesional warrier.I also met John Howard who secured the pegasus bridge, after he had succefully landed with his glider. When I read this book this summer (1999) it was like I meet him agin,the start of the war aginst Poland,France,Russia,Africa,and so on.... I think this is a very good book and I recomend it. I have to apologize, beakuse me english is not so god so Ihope you understand what I meen. La