Dresden: A Survivor's Story

by Victor Gregg, Rick Stroud

In 2011, Victor Gregg published Rifleman about his time on the front line in World War II. The experience of writing that memoir sparked long buried memories of his experience during the Dresden bombing. Whilst Kurt Vonnegut's acclaimed Slaughterhouse-Five draws on his experience as a Prisoner of War imprisoned in a deep cellar in Dresden while the firestorm raged through the city, wiping out generations of innocent lives, Victor Gregg remained above ground. This is his story.

In four air raids between 13 and 15 February 1945, 772 Lancaster bombers of the British Royal Air Force and 527 of the United States Army Air Forces dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on Dresden. The resulting firestorm destroyed 15 square kilometres, or 6 square miles, of the city centre. 25,000 people, mostly civilians, were estimated to have been killed. Post-war discussion of whether or not the attacks were justified has led to the bombing becoming one of the moral issues of the Second World War.

An established soldier turning his uniform to the 10th Parachute Regiment in 1944, he was captured at Arnhem where he volunteered to be sent to a work camp rather than become another faceless number in the huge POW camps. With two failed escape attempts under his belt, Gregg was eventually caught sabotaging a factory and sent for execution. Gregg’s first-hand narrative, personal and punchy, sees him through the trauma and carnage of the Dresden bombing. After the raid he spent five days helping to recover a city of innocent civilians, thousands of whom had died in the fire storm, trapped underground in human ovens. As order was restored his life was once more in danger and he escaped to the east, spending the last weeks of the war with the Russians.

Harrowing and vivid, Gregg draws us in to the heart-wrenching, often futile attempts to save lives, and the tentative friendships and near-misses along the way.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, World War II, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Historical

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I am finding it impossible to describe the scene as it actually was, it had to be witnessed to be believed and those of us that were witnesses would be, for the rest of our lives, affected by the memories of that terrible night.....I know that orders are there to be obeyed. But, it is my belief that in the act of destroying the evil of the Third Reich we employed further and more terrible evils, although I know that not everybody agrees with me. As a nation I feel that the British people still have to face up to the satanic acts that were committed in their name. Above all else I wish to live to see a doctrine enforced by law that this nation will never again turn civilians into targets to create terror. I could say that I wish to live to see that war between nations stops for ever, but I am a realist and a firm believer in that if an ogre like Hitler rears its head then that head should be cut off as speedily as possible. I am not a pacifist."

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel very bad giving this two stars, but I can't justify any higher. It needs tighter editing, and most of it is cobbled together. Additionally, while looking up the author, I noticed that much of this appeared in an UK newspaper, which is easily accessible. I'm not complaining; I most likely would've still brought it; I just would've liked to have known before buying it.

My main problem with this essay isn't the fact that I think Mr. Gregg is a pacifist, an apolgist or anything. I trust the publisher's fact checking and Mr. Gregg appeared on the BBC. Mr. Gregg deserves honor and respect for what he did during the war, most soliders do.

However, this Kindle single is presented somewhat in a vaccum. If you know little about the Second World War, it could, unintentionally, function as propganda. Part of this is due to the fact that there are historians that disagree about the reasons (or lack thereof) of the bombing of the city of Dresden. While condemning the generals and politcans (Gregg does not blame the average solider), the implication is that while Hitler should have been killed, nothing the Nazis did was as bad as Dresden. I'm sure this is unintentional, but it is still there. Additionally, Gregg admits that he doesn't quite remember all of it, it is bits and pieces (the essay reads like piecemeal, and it almost sounds like a free assoication interview typed up). So if he can't completely trust his memories, why should I? Bonus points for being honest, but still. This could have been improved drastically with an afterword giving context detail as well as dealing with issue of history of how people viewed the Dresden bombing. Maybe I shouldn't have read this so soon after reading the Irving Judgment because now I'm really senasitive to how Dresden is seen, but there it is.

It is worth reading and being published simply for the viewpoint. We should remember Dresden, as we should remember Coventry, London, Pearl Harbor, Auschwitz, Lenningard and so many other places of tragedy.

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I like Victor Gregg's Dresden a lot, but I can't justify giving it more than three stars. First hands accounts such as this are priceless, but the book is not a complete memoir nor is it a comprehensive study of the bombing of Dresden and as a reviewer, I have to factor more than content alone.

Others have noted the writing is a little rough and I agree, but I liked it. Adding the spit and polish of clean crisp prose would have diminished Gregg's voice and stripped the account of its personality. My only complaint is that the publisher put a play by play of Gregg's entire experience on the jacket, leaving nothing for readers to discover on their own or reviewers to comment on without sounding like a broken record.

Stark, but powerful, Dresden is an interesting volume for history buffs and a particularly noteworthy piece for those interested in the atrocity. Again, it is not a comprehensive analysis of the event, but the perspective it affords is both meaningful and unique.

[Michael Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in just 36 pages packs one hell of a punch and give us a snaphot into hell. I would like to thank the author for re-living what must be horryfing memories to make sure that we don't forget what total war is about. Told through his eyes as a POW in Dresden during one of the most devastating bombings of World War II this book book horrifies and touches your heart.How many stories like this have we lost to history.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An understated personal account of a soldiers experiences as a POW waiting to be executed in Dreden. In the process he tells of the terrible bombing that befell that German city towards the end of the second world war.
As an old man reflecting upon his life, you can feel his horror of what he experienced during the air raids and subsequent efforts to find survivors. He might not always find the words to convey his experiences but his memories are seared by the sights and horrors he sure and endured as someone put to work to deal with the aftermath.
It is a humble account that speaks of the organisation and courage of Germans in those first few days; how he was treated with respect even though he was the enemy and his side had wreaked such death and distruction.
In writing this piece his hope was that governments never again targetted civillians during conflict and all out war. Sadly it continues and is neatly passed over in terms of collatural damage. This short book should be part of any syllabus covering this war and Dresden should be known by school children learning this period as much as Coventry.

[Brigid Cruickshank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worth the read for historical purposes only. The writing is poor. In addition, extremely sad topic (as to be expected). I'm sure there are better books about what happened in Dresden.

[James Tidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give five stars for a book. However, this book fully deserves its rating. Victor Gregg, after being taken Prisoner of War after the battle of Arnhem, is taken to Dresden. It is whilst he is being held in the centre of the city, alongside other prisoners of war, after being sentenced to death for his part in sabotaging a factory, that the infamous bombing raids by the RAF by night and by the USAF by day take place. Here, Gregg describes, at first-hand, his experiences in often gruesome detail whilst helping a senior German officer who he gives him the nickname 'the General'. He is eventually repatriated back to the British side after helping the Russians with their mechanical problems.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, direct, and to-the-point, this book (or long article/essay) doesn't mince words or go into long-winded political thoughts. It is a journalistic story of the bombing of Dresden and the few days after it from a British POW's viewpoint. It's terrible and horrifying, but not dressed up at all. There is a brief moment at the end where Gregg's agenda is presented, but even that is very short and direct. No waxing eloquent, which makes the story all the more meaningful. Also a very quick read. It doesn't give any context on Dresden, the war, etc. It literally is just his account. I knew that going in, but it would be disappointing if you didn't. Glad I read it.

[Larmie Fahrendorff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An allied "holocaust"

A short but succinct description of the bombing of Dresden by the allied forces, as witnessed by a British POW. I knew of the bombing, but his personalized description of the act, and the result is difficult to find morally acceptable. We (allies) like to point out the evils of the Nazi regime, and rightly so but we were far from righteous. While in Africa many years ago I spoke with a former Italian soldier who spoke of atrocities toward Italian prisoners, and of U.S. airdrops of toys over Italian towns that were rigged with explosives. Neither side could claim the moral high ground.

[Serdar Yalçın · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a short memoir of an English POW about to be executed but survived because of the Dresden bombing.

Overall it is a good but rather short book. But not that good so it would have 4 starts, but I cut one star more, because the book might include more details about the bombing, not just memoirs.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but shocking first-hand account of a British POW with a death sentence for sabotage caught in the Dresden bombing, in a German work party looking for survivors and then walking eastward to the Russian lines.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honestly gripping and horrifying recounting of the author's own experience, I found it impossible to put down. A short release to reflect on the anniversary of Dresden's worst hours but in my opinion it is an absolute must read.

[Vicki G · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's too personal to say what I think. I'm married to a man whose direct family were killed in this bombing.
Even the writer called it "A satanic attack" and he was a British soldier.
My Schwiegervater (father-in-law) lost his mom & twin sister, who was 5 weeks old, to the bombing.

[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this because someone I worked with spoke about how his father was an English pow who was part of the clean up parties and his father said that he wouldn't ever forgive the British or Americans for what happened. Having read this it's worse than anything I imagined.

[Dunkle Pferd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stupidity of war from greed of power, inhuman, backward thinking and insanity, which results to killing of innocents victims.

[Pandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's only 22 pages long. So not a book.
But it is what it says on the tin. A simple account of someone in Dresden at the end of WWII.

[John Mcdermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief but enthralling story . Vividly describes the horror of carpet bombing.
Man's inhumanity to man.
Continues today in the Middle East.

[Mike Wigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but absolutely engaging story from an eyes on the ground witness.

[Sharkattack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Amazing account of what happened on this day in history.

[R K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably terrifying.
What terrible sights to behold.
What a man!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and enthralling story of one soldier’s survival of the Dresden bombing raids. Mind blowing

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A distressing and harrowing story of the aftermath of the bombing of Dresden in WW2 from one who was there. If anyone still doubts the futility of war then this is a must read. Well worth reading.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished reading Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, I found I wanted to learn more about what happened during the bombing attacks on Dresden, Germany, during World War II. I stumbled upon this very short account written by Victor Gregg, a 93-year-old British soldier, now living in Swanmore, Hampshire, England. From 1937-1946, he was Rifleman VJ Gregg, 2nd battalion, The Rifle Brigade & 10th Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps and prisoner of war, held in Dresden, Germany. While writing a memoir of his war experiences in a book called The Rifleman, he found that memories of living through the attack on Dresden were brought back and so decided to write down and publish those memories. He had seen a lot in combat but nothing to compare to the total destruction of Dresden. "The only reason for keeping this atrocity in the public eye is to horrify people so much that they never again allow their representatives to order such crimes. I wish to live to see that war between nations will never again turn civilians into targets to create terror."
Vonnegut and Gregg were both prisoners of war when the bombing of Dresden occurred and both obviously survived the attacks. The difference between the two experiences is that Vonnegut was sheltered in a deep cellar, part of a slaughterhouse complex where meat was hung, and did not come back to the surface until the worst was over. They emerged into a world of ashes, looking like the surface of the moon. In Gregg's account, the building he and his fellow prisoners were housed in took a direct hit and he was able to escape through the damaged wall and make his way out of the area to relative safety on the fringes of the fires. He then watched the rest of the bombing attacks and the horrifying aftermath. His description would fit anyone's picture of Hell. German soldiers made him help with rescue efforts in the days that followed and only once did they find living survivors--a mother and daughters. This is also similar to what Vonnegut tells in his story, but no survivors were found. How does anyone ever get over an experience like this?
Of course there were atrocities committed on every side during the second world war and all wars before and after. This, unfortunately, is but one example of man's incredible inhumanity to man.
Pray for peace.

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a such a tiny book filled with so much real life war drama. the author cites his chief reasons for writing this book,' The only reason for keeping this atrocity in the public eye is to horrify people so much that they never again allow their representatives to order such crimes. there is no excuse for the men who ordered this terrible event to be carried out.'

I would another subtext to the above, 'and once these representatives finish their allocated tenures, they should be tried for any contentious decisions so that their backers can learn lessons for the next time they go about choosing their representatives.'

Why was Dresden attacked when it was abundantly clear that the Germans were losing?
Why were civilians continued to be targeted indiscriminately by the Allies? If we are to argue that the results of the Great Wars followed by subsequent wars have seen the emergence of so called cleaner wars using 'smarter' bombs than I would counter that maybe the smarter bomb are instead a result of technological advantages made in the defense industry rather than any specific requirement set out by Government leaderships. Most leaderships will still continue to use what ever agents of force within their grasp, as portrayed by the Iran-Iraq ten year old war.

Man is basically an animal trained by the government to fight for its own policy enforcement. Like the author says, 'My mind was conditioned by military life to accept that killing your fellow man was normal.' Food for thought???

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I want to start with a grateful and heartfelt thank you to the author and to all of those in the armed forces, protecting us from the human forces of evil.

Second, holy cow. What Mr. Gregg went through in the bombings of Dresden. It's a shame that he waited so long to set it all down on paper. It's as fleshed out as possible, but the reader can tell that much is missing. I can understand why he waited so long to write it down. It is horrifying. What the civilians went through and how they died and what was left of them after the bombing was brutal. Shame on the Allies for attacking innocent civilians with the expressed purpose of creating the most devastating destruction that they could.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. War is hell. This book is a heartbreaking and stomach clenching proof of that statement. It is SO IMPORTANT that we never forget what has happened in our past, personal and collective. If we forget the atrocities that have happened before us, then we will end up re-creating them in our lifetime and beyond.

My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[B J Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is now 93. In 1945 he was parachuted into Arnhem and captured. He was assigned to a prisoner working party and sabotaged the factory he was sent to, burning it to the ground. He was sentenced to be executed and was being held in Dresden when the Allied bombing raids began - which was 68 years ago today.
Over three days 1300 bombers totally destroyed the city in an attack deliberately structured to create a massive inferno that killed 25,000 people. One of the first bombs blew a hole in the wall of the building where Mr Gregg was being held and he walked out. He witnessed the destruction of the city and helped in the attempts to rescue survivors. This is very, very disturbing stuff dealing with scenes of horror so appalling that I'm left wondering how he came through it still sane.
When his rescue attempts were over he walked 20 miles to join the advancing Russians and spent months servicing the American lorries they were using, before eventually getting back to join the British.
This is only the equivalent of 36 print pages in length, but it is the most powerful piece of anti-war writing that I have ever read.

[Dougal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A excellent first-hand narrative of the horrors of Dresden seen through the eyes of Victor Gregg as a POW during the days of the bombing. Written some 70 years after the events, it is light on precise detail, but perhaps it is all the stronger for that. It is Mr Gregg's overall impressions that have stayed with him over the years, and it is these condensed impressions that paint an extraordinarily vivid picture of the horrors of fire-storm bombing. The potential reader should bear in mind that this is a very short account of the personal experiences of Victor Gregg over a very few days, remembered many years later.

[Rick Michaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A no-frills 1st person account of one of the true horrors of the 20th century. Notable, specifically, for the author's clear intent to share only what he directly experienced, brief and to the point, there are scenes that turn Dante's wildest imaginings into children's bedtime stories. I can only applaud the author's willingness to relive - nearly 70 years later - this nightmare for the edification of those too young to even recognize the name "Dresden".

[Richard Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrowing story of fire bombing of Dresden by the Allies in early 1945. This is a remarkable personal recollection of an enlisted English POW who by chance was awaiting execution in a prisoner of war camp. Very vivid and raises the question in my mind whether the bombing was necessary or whether in other contexts would be considered a eggregious war crime.

[Crimmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some writing flaws that do little to hurt the story. Anyone can tell you that the bombing of Dresden was devastating, but this witness account shows it more clearly as unimaginable horror committed against civilians.