"D DAY Through German Eyes" by Holger Eckhertz offers a unique perspective on the events of June 6th, 1944, from the viewpoint of German soldiers who were stationed in Normandy during the invasion. Through a series of interviews conducted by the author, readers are presented with firsthand accounts of the experiences and emotions of these soldiers, ranging from the initial confusion about the nature of the invasion to the harsh realities of combat and the impact of propaganda on their beliefs. The writing style is engaging and provides a detailed insight into the thoughts and perspectives of the individuals involved, offering a different narrative than the typical Allied accounts of D Day.

Writing/Prose:

The style is journalistic, characterized by direct quotations from the soldiers, providing an unvarnished and personal perspective.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around firsthand interviews with German soldiers from various ranks and roles, reflecting on their experiences during D-Day and the Normandy invasion.

Setting:

The setting encompasses both the battlefield of Normandy in 1944 and the later reflective context of the 1950s.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady, allowing for detailed exploration of each soldier's experience while maintaining reader engagement.

I think I remember some of the men talking about your visit. You interviewed several of the troops, and asked them about their hopes and sentiments and so on. The men said that you were impressed with...

Genres:

Topics:

d day

normandy invasion

german military perspective

world war ii

individual soldier experiences

war propaganda and ideology

firsthand accounts

eyewitness accounts

Notes:

Holger Eckhertz primarily acted as an interviewer for German soldiers and one pilot from D Day, rather than as an author.

The interviewed soldiers had varied roles, including infantrymen, tank crew members, engineers, and a fighter pilot.

Eckhertz gathered stories during tours in Normandy in 1944 for publications like Signal and Die Wehrmacht.

Interviews for the book were conducted in 1955, ten years after D Day.

The book remained unpublished until Eckhertz's son released it in 2015, followed by a second volume in 2016.

The first book presented stories from one soldier from each of the five assault beaches of Normandy.

Many interviewed expressed disbelief over their lack of preparation and the overwhelming material superiority of the Allies.

One veteran discussed a unique weapon called the Taifun (Typhoon), a fuel-air explosive that was never used in combat due to logistical issues.

The interviewed soldiers believed they were defending Europe from American and British aggression, despite the reality of their situation.

The accounts provide insight into the psychological state of German defenders during the D Day attacks, some wanting to surrender, others resolved to fight.

The German soldiers were surprised by the Allies' complete mechanization, noting the absence of horses in the landing force.

The book offers a different perspective on D Day, illustrating the experiences of the attacked rather than the attackers.

The veterans' reflections reveal the impact of propaganda on their views and their attempts to rationalize their actions during the war.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book has medium content warnings due to graphic descriptions of war, violence, and trauma experienced by soldiers.

From The Publisher:

Almost all accounts of D Day are told from the Allied perspective. But what was it like to be a German soldier in the bunkers of the Normandy coast, facing the onslaught of the mightiest invasion in history? What motivated the German defenders, what were their thought processes - and how did they fight from one strong point to another, among the dunes and fields, on that first cataclysmic day?

This book sheds fascinating light on these questions, bringing together statements made by German survivors after the war, when time had allowed them to reflect on their state of mind, their actions and their choices of June 6th. We see a perspective of D Day which deserves to be added to the historical record, in which ordinary German troops struggled to make sense of what was facing them, and emerged stunned at the weaponry and sheer determination of the Allied troops. Above all, we now have the unheard human voices of the individual German soldiers - the men who are so often portrayed as a faceless mass.

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About the Author:

Holger Eckhertz born in germany. Eckhertzis an Amazon's best selling author

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D DAY Through German Eyes

Holger Eckhertz