I deserted Rommel

by Gunther Bahnemann

The letter fell from Bahnemann's hands. 'I'm Leaving', he said. 'I'm deserting - tonight'.

Hearing that his father had been arrested and killed in Germany, Corporal Gunther Bahnemann, Iron Cross, despatch rider in Rommel's Afrika Korps, described that, for him, the war was over. Hours later equipped with only the barest essentials for survival, he rode out of camp into the hostile desert.

So began one of the most bizarre true escape stories of the war.

Genres: War, Marathi

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Данило Судин]

Динамічна розповідь про дезертирство унтер-офіцера Роммелівського корпуса "Африка". Про причини такого рішення автор говорить мало: в німецькому концтаборі стратили його батька.
І далі розпочинаються пригоди Ґюнтера Банемана.
Одразу зроблю спойлер: хоча автор планує з Лівії через пустелю та джунглі рухатися до Анголи (Португальська Африка), дія всієї книги розгортається в Лівії.
І це робить спогади Банемана не просто розповіддю про дезертирство, а ще й описом повсякдення тилу та прифронтових зон під час Лівійської кампанії Роммеля. Зокрема, якими були стосунки італійців та німців? Як до всієї цієї війни ставилися араби? Чому британська авіація (яка вилітала як з Єгипта, так і Мальти) була такою небезпечною для німців?
Перевагою книги Банемана є динамічність. Читається вона швидко і легко - не відірватися. Так, це спогади, і водночас - авантюрний роман. Але авантюрний з елементами трагізму: несвідомо Банеман показує, яким важким (і часто дуже коротким) є життя дезертира.
Загалом, книга - цікавий документ з Лівійської кампанії Роммеля, хоч тут і немає нічого про бої з британцями.

[Asif]

its amazing..... I have a weakness for war and battle and this book made me amazed.... the story is quite strong where a man deserted hitlar african korps under the leadership of desert fox field marshal Romel... then he started to flee through desert....through his cleaverness and luck he avoided many near death situation.... through all libya warrent was issued against him but he somehow manage to escape and flee for his freedom.... this is a amazing adventure book and you will know some history about african nazi invasion... how arab treated them and the fight between them and British, Australian qualition....

[Tahsina Syeda]

It's an interesting war story, but I found the main character rather unsympathetic. Maybe, what with all the horror humanity suffered during WWII, the plight of one German corporal who decided to desert and found it much too easy does not seem that important me.

[Abhijeet Phanse]

I read this book (Translated version) when I was roughly 14. At that time, reading about this tale of escape going through Africa was a thrill. The detailed description paired with active imagination made this book 'Ohh Soooo Awesome'. I would recommend it to everyone at that time.
Based on that, I have ordered it on Amazon (paperback version) just to relive that feeling.
The other reason is to have this book in my collection (If I can call it that).
I am not sure if the original work is still in print or not (I have ordered the 'Marathi' version).
If any of you find the original work, I ask you to read it as a tale of a person escaping his current situation in the hope of better life and not as a book by a Nazi soldier. I'm sure you'll realize it is not so once you start reading it.

[Rahul Gorwadkar]

Interseting Escape story but I feel its end is not well written. More to it, I would like to know what happened with Gunther afterwards.

[Goldy]

I read this book in my childhood in one summer vacation, 'Deserter' by Gunther Bahnemann. A haunting memoir that exposes the raw emotions of a German soldier's journey from eager recruit to disillusioned deserter. Vivid storytelling, moral complexity, and a quest for redemption. A must-read for history buffs and anyone seeking a human perspective on war.

[Aniket Patil]

My normal reaction is ,it is okay book. I was hearing much about it, but I am not much thrilled by this one. (probably I have read such books, watched such movies etc.)

[Nadeem Soudagar]

Wonderful journey of 2 German soldiers

[Akshay Alawani]

Vijay Deodhar has beautifully translated thrilling journey of this German Soldier.

[Anand Sandipan]

This book is very good. I want to read this book

[Ramchandra]

I read this book's Marathi translation in late 1980s during my student years. I probably finished it with only essential breaks. One of the best war stories. But was disappointed in the end. The story stops abruptly. What happened next in his life is not clear.

[Roshan Rk]

best book if you want to read thrilling war story.Full of Action ,Adventure,Thrills,chills .When you read it ,its like you yourself surviving of war.Go for it readers..read it 3 times in over 10 years ,never gets old.

[Gangaprasad Koturwar]

must read for war thriller and adventure travel enthusiasts.

[Glen]

Interesting insights ...

[Shubham Patil SP]

No Early Life Events Mentioned anywhere..Afterall Adventures Story of WW2..

[Aditya Kulkarni]

Exceptional story. Amazingly written as well. Great book. Must read.
The power of writing clearly reflects what he went through and what was it to have been actually present in World War.

[Akshay]

The great WWII adventure story

[Mahesh T]

It is really nice book. Mr.Gunther explained very deeply every scene and every situation. Great written.

[Shardul Pawar]

The book is GOOD!!That's it!! It gives us thrilling experience and the speed in which every incident happens make you curious to read' what may have happened later?'
It was a nice experience to read one of the best translated Marathi books and Writer Vijay Deodhar didn't let readers feel that they are reading any translated book .The Language used is simple and interesting which makes you feel that you are reading a Marathi Novel..Also provides the knowledge about background of second world war. Overall , DESERTER is the package of Entertaining language , Adventurous incidents ,and thrilling experiences.👍👍