The Good Soldier: From Austrian Social Democracy to Communist Captivity with a Soldier of Panzer-Grenadier Division "Grossdeutschland"

by Alfred Novotny

Compelling memoir of an Austrian who served the elite Panzer-Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland, and spent 2 years in Soviet prison camp. Commentary by author/historian Marc Rikmenspoel.

Genres: Military History, History, World War II, War

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2002

About the author

Alfred Novotny was born in Vienna in 1924 and grew up amid the political turmoil of interwar Austria. Raised in a Social Democratic household, he developed early political awareness during the rise of National Socialism. As a young man, he was drawn into the structures of the German state during the Second World War, first serving in the Labor Corps and later in the Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. From 1942 onward, he experienced intense combat in Western Europe and on the Eastern Front, including major engagements at St. Nazaire, Poltava, and Kursk, where he was wounded. Captured at the war’s end, he spent two and a half years in Soviet prison camps. After his release, Novotny rebuilt his life, eventually emigrating to the United States in the mid nineteen fifties. Beginning in hotel service, he rose to become a successful hotel executive and later President of the Illinois Hotel Association. Despite hardship, he remained marked by resilience, compassion, and humanity.

Reviews

[Vince Fontana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reluctant to consider this book but " never judge a book by its cover " and am glad that I chose to read it as it provided an interesting perspective from an Austrian / German soldier's service during the war and more importantly, his incarceration in a Russian gulag.
It's a short succinct read with real life experiences backed with factual narrative accounts of the battles and skirmishes which the soldier participated in.
The section on his incarceration as a POW was a real eye opener.

[Shan S Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I have read many accounts from the fighting landser and this one definitely ranks high. It is not for the action craving, way better at explaining feelings and why they fought. The propaganda insights are very interesting and relevant to today in so many ways.

[Michael Dorosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief bio, but some amazing insights, and even a rare photo or two of a Knight's Cross winner whom the author served with. Does much to flesh out the divisional history with a "real" face. Better than Guy Sajer. Leaves the reader wanting more.

It is amazing how many good biographies of all the Second World War armies have come out so long after the war; what a shame it was not possible to write books like this immediately after the war.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite memoir based on the war from a German's perspective. It's an amazing account of one boy who belongs to one of Hitler's Elite fighting units in Europe. It takes you from his early days as a young boy and his exposure to the Hitler Youth and the army to his questioning of his own sanity and morals. Highly recommend this to anyone.