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Válečné lítice #4
Claws of Steel
This is the fourth in the fictional series The Dogs of War, by Leo Kessler. They had taken the most impregnable fortress in Europe, faced Stalin's cadets in the screaming inferno of the Russian front, and returned with only a handful of survivors. They were Hitler's elite, dedicated, relentless men, for whom death held no fear, Assault Regiment Wotan. Their next mission was a lightening blow at Kursk in the very heart of Soviet Russia. As they advanced across the burning steppes after the fall of Stalingrad, the men of Wotan found the bodies of German soldiers, hanged, tortured, and mutilated, and they swore they would not leave Russian soil until they had taken their revenge.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2017
Another very good Kessler
These Wotan books number 22 in the series, but they are all out of order. If you read them as numbered, people often come back to life who had died in the previous book. This is because they were written in odd years and Whiting (Kessler) had the events of the series laid out in different time frames as the mood took him. If you take the time to put them in chronological order, the series takes you from the opening days of World War II to the French Foreign Legion action in Viet Nam in the fifties. And, by doing so, the series is much more sensible.
This story surrounds the opening of the battle of Kursk and ends in Italy as the Allies swarm in from the boot. The first third of the book is somewhat non-military showing the various soldiers of the division refitting and recuperating in Hamburg. This section is punctuated with the fire bombing of the city and the horrors it entailed. Then on to Kursk with very heavy fighting and mesmerizing action scenes. The book ends with the beginning of the Italian action against the Americans and British.
Though the heroes (or anti-heroes) of the novel are SS soldiers, they are not treated as such. The amount of callousness of human life displayed by the Nazis is horrifying.
Overall this was a very, very strong book that throws you into the action and does not relent.
These Wotan books number 22 in the series, but they are all out of order. If you read them as numbered, people often come back to life who had died in the previous book. This is because they were written in odd years and Whiting (Kessler) had the events of the series laid out in different time frames as the mood took him. If you take the time to put them in chronological order, the series takes you from the opening days of World War II to the French Foreign Legion action in Viet Nam in the fifties. And, by doing so, the series is much more sensible.
This story surrounds the opening of the battle of Kursk and ends in Italy as the Allies swarm in from the boot. The first third of the book is somewhat non-military showing the various soldiers of the division refitting and recuperating in Hamburg. This section is punctuated with the fire bombing of the city and the horrors it entailed. Then on to Kursk with very heavy fighting and mesmerizing action scenes. The book ends with the beginning of the Italian action against the Americans and British.
Though the heroes (or anti-heroes) of the novel are SS soldiers, they are not treated as such. The amount of callousness of human life displayed by the Nazis is horrifying.
Overall this was a very, very strong book that throws you into the action and does not relent.
January 5, 2020
Another grand romp from the master of WW2 fiction "from the other side". Dunno why these chaps engage me as a reader but they did as much recently as they did when a teenager with train journeys to put up with (when it took well over an hour to get to London from MK (and back of course)). So that is maybe how these compact tales should be consumed, not pored over, let the action thrill or disgust as the gang of reprobates go about staving off the Grim Reaper yet again.
Even though they are the "baddies" you cannot help feel for them as they struggle against the "Amis" and then the "Popovs".... but be warned some of the scenes away from the frontlines are a bit lewd.
But if you like tank warfare and Kursk this is worth your time... it segues into some fun on the Gothic Line, maybe they might meet Spike on their travels... now that would be fun.
Even though they are the "baddies" you cannot help feel for them as they struggle against the "Amis" and then the "Popovs".... but be warned some of the scenes away from the frontlines are a bit lewd.
But if you like tank warfare and Kursk this is worth your time... it segues into some fun on the Gothic Line, maybe they might meet Spike on their travels... now that would be fun.
February 5, 2020
3.5/5
Probably the most action packed of the Wotan books to date the tank battle was an epic climax to a solid page turner.
Probably the most action packed of the Wotan books to date the tank battle was an epic climax to a solid page turner.
March 29, 2021
Now 5, still good.
August 14, 2010
Picking Leo Kessler book is relatively easy thing, because you always know what you will get. The book with mighty and brave SS officer, who happened to be in SS but he is not Nazi, he is damn good soldier. Kuno von Dodenburg is that man and yes he is like from propaganda poster at least at the outer look, but inside he is someone, who is not fitting in to the picture of perfect Nazi officer. The war was not going well for Germany and Russians were pushing back. The horror of the Eastern front in Leo Kessler´s version was presented like some adventure fool of clashing steel, booze and whores.
The book is not well written, the characters´psychology is practically nil. Cliché is pouring from every page but still it was fun to read.
The battle of Kursk was the main highlight of the book and surprisingly it was not that badly described.
Obligatory lesbians and drunk soldiers included.
The book is not well written, the characters´psychology is practically nil. Cliché is pouring from every page but still it was fun to read.
The battle of Kursk was the main highlight of the book and surprisingly it was not that badly described.
Obligatory lesbians and drunk soldiers included.
July 2, 2015
Similar to Sven Hassel's books but without the endearing characters, skillfully written storytelling and easy comedic moments. Theres plenty of action and in that regard it does what you would expect
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews