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DEVIL'S ADJUTANT: Jochen Peiper, Panzer Leader
Now in paperback, this authoritative account and assessment of the military career, Dachau war crime trial and murder of Jochen Peiper, Heinrich Himmler's Adjutant and the "Siegfried" of the Waffen SS, describes his involvement in the Ardennes offensive and Malme'dy Massacre
- Illustrated with rare photographs, high quality maps and figures.
- Peiper's rise through the ranks of the Fuhrer's Bodyguard Regiment, Die Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.
- Peiper's service with Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS.
- His fighting record on the Eastern Front and in France.
- The first thoroughly objective account of his role as the Commander of the Kampfgruppe Peiper in the 1944 Ardennes offensive, which brought him to particular wartime prominence.
- The facts about "The Malme'dy Massacre" on 17 December 1944, when 84 Americans died at the hands of Peiper's men.
- The Dachau Trial which led Peiper to the condemned cell in Landsberg prison.
- His postwar life as a paroled War Criminal.
- Peiper's death during a fire-bomb attack on his home in France in 1976.
- Illustrated with rare photographs, high quality maps and figures.
- Peiper's rise through the ranks of the Fuhrer's Bodyguard Regiment, Die Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.
- Peiper's service with Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS.
- His fighting record on the Eastern Front and in France.
- The first thoroughly objective account of his role as the Commander of the Kampfgruppe Peiper in the 1944 Ardennes offensive, which brought him to particular wartime prominence.
- The facts about "The Malme'dy Massacre" on 17 December 1944, when 84 Americans died at the hands of Peiper's men.
- The Dachau Trial which led Peiper to the condemned cell in Landsberg prison.
- His postwar life as a paroled War Criminal.
- Peiper's death during a fire-bomb attack on his home in France in 1976.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 1995
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About the author
Michael Reynolds
8 books7 followersMajor General Mike Reynolds was a British Army Officer who saw fierce action in Korea and in Germany became a target of the Red Army Faction.
From 1972 Reynolds was a guest speaker on many British Army and NATO battlefield tours in the Ardennes, initially as training, and later as a commercial enterprise. He followed this by writing six Second World War military histories and became a recognised expert on the Waffen-SS and the Normandy and Ardennes campaigns.
The Devil’s Adjutant (1995)
Steel Inferno (1997)
Men of Steel (1999)
Sons of the Reich (2002)
Eagles and Bulldogs in Normandy 1944 (2003)
Monty and Patton: Two Paths to Victory (2005)
Soldier at Heart: Private to General (2013) - autobiography
From 1972 Reynolds was a guest speaker on many British Army and NATO battlefield tours in the Ardennes, initially as training, and later as a commercial enterprise. He followed this by writing six Second World War military histories and became a recognised expert on the Waffen-SS and the Normandy and Ardennes campaigns.
The Devil’s Adjutant (1995)
Steel Inferno (1997)
Men of Steel (1999)
Sons of the Reich (2002)
Eagles and Bulldogs in Normandy 1944 (2003)
Monty and Patton: Two Paths to Victory (2005)
Soldier at Heart: Private to General (2013) - autobiography
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 27, 2017
I first learned about Jochen Peiper from the film 'Battle of the Bulge,' in which Robert Shaw played Colonel Hessler (the man who was actually Peiper in the war). Peiper was a disciplined product of Nazi SS training, and a true believer in Hitler. He was the youngest regimental commander in 1944, at 29 years old. He'd received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves for his actions in Russia, where his unit was known as the 'Blowtorch Battalion,' for reportedly burning 2 villages with all its inhabitants inside. He also pushed through enemy lines to rescue 1,500 trapped German soldiers.
When Hitler disclosed details of his Ardennes offensive, Peiper was selected to spearhead the assault with his 2nd Panzer Regiment. He was chosen because of his bravery and audacity. This book details his background in a way other books about him failed to do. Readers are taken on a journey of his personal and military background that will please historical buffs who want to learn more about people who stood out in the war (both sides).
Peiper gained notoriety because a unit of his men captured close to a hundred American prisoners, and executed them at Malmedy. Some survived and made it back to Allied lines. When they told fellow soldiers what happened, American resistance stiffened. Up to that point the attack had gone well, destroying full divisions and taking scores of prisoners. Morale in the American Army fell, but upon learning how prisoners were treated, began to rise and turn the tide against Peiper's panzer (tank) assault. He nearly accomplished his mission, but ran short of fuel.
He was tried for murder at the end of the war, and sentenced to 20 years, serving 10. After the war he was disappointed in Germany and moved his family to Italy where he worked for Porsche. When the movie 'Battle of the Bulge' came out, workers at the Porsche manufacturer protested him after learning Robert Shaw played him in the movie. Eventually he moved to France, where he worked as a translator for military manuscripts. French communists learned of his whereabouts and killed him.
I found this book to be one of the best about Peiper. I was interested in his exploits as a Nazi soldier, and curious why a professional would be so blind as to follow a man like Hitler. This book provided me answers. It's a recommended read for those who like history, particularly WWII.
When Hitler disclosed details of his Ardennes offensive, Peiper was selected to spearhead the assault with his 2nd Panzer Regiment. He was chosen because of his bravery and audacity. This book details his background in a way other books about him failed to do. Readers are taken on a journey of his personal and military background that will please historical buffs who want to learn more about people who stood out in the war (both sides).
Peiper gained notoriety because a unit of his men captured close to a hundred American prisoners, and executed them at Malmedy. Some survived and made it back to Allied lines. When they told fellow soldiers what happened, American resistance stiffened. Up to that point the attack had gone well, destroying full divisions and taking scores of prisoners. Morale in the American Army fell, but upon learning how prisoners were treated, began to rise and turn the tide against Peiper's panzer (tank) assault. He nearly accomplished his mission, but ran short of fuel.
He was tried for murder at the end of the war, and sentenced to 20 years, serving 10. After the war he was disappointed in Germany and moved his family to Italy where he worked for Porsche. When the movie 'Battle of the Bulge' came out, workers at the Porsche manufacturer protested him after learning Robert Shaw played him in the movie. Eventually he moved to France, where he worked as a translator for military manuscripts. French communists learned of his whereabouts and killed him.
I found this book to be one of the best about Peiper. I was interested in his exploits as a Nazi soldier, and curious why a professional would be so blind as to follow a man like Hitler. This book provided me answers. It's a recommended read for those who like history, particularly WWII.
February 10, 2017
I was really looking forward to accounts of the fighting on the Russian front and although this book offers an excellent account of Peiper's role in the Ardennes Offensive I wanted more of his earlier involvement in the war. Besides that this is a great book and if you enjoy accounts of the 'Battle of the Bulge' you are bound to love this book. I am yet to read the author's second book "Steel Inferno" but I have only seen/heard great reviews so far.
February 5, 2013
Classic book examining the career of Jochen Peiper, particularly his daring and controversial leadership during the Battle of the Bulge. One might find fault in Peiper's ethics, but certainly not his courage or audacity. Reynolds does a great job with one of the most vilified combat leaders of WWII.
September 17, 2021
More a book about the Ardennes offensive than about Joachim Pieper.
I Was hoping for a more in-depth account of his life and career (combat in Russia / post war etc). Unfortunately these aspects are glossed over at the beginning and end of the book.
The bulk of the text is a minutia heavy focus on the Ardennes offensive. Even then the focus is not always on Pieper or even the German forces. It goes on to examine US units involved to some extent and the author goes into quite alot of detail when describing US units (german units also) often giving their full unit designations, strength, etc. it gets tedious quite quickly.
The addition of a very breif overview of piepers life feels like it was done intentionally. Giving the book the appearance of being about a particular protagonist, inorder to try and separate it from being just another book about the Ardennes. Which unfortunately it more ot less is.
The introduction to this book explains how the authors interest in the subject led him to teach and organise war games about the ardennes offensive while serving in Germany with the British military.
It feels like the information that was used in teaching those war games has been simply been compiled into a book. It suffers from the issue that some military writers have in that it’s too matter of fact. Information, facts, numbers, dates, times, speculations. It’s very to the point and there is little in the way of emotion that makes for compelling reading.
In summary the Devil’s Adjutant is actually just an Ardennes offensive book masquerading as a book about Joachim Pieper. The information it contains is solid but It’s cold like a military breifing for a war game, rather than a historical narrative on a mans life and combat career.
I Was hoping for a more in-depth account of his life and career (combat in Russia / post war etc). Unfortunately these aspects are glossed over at the beginning and end of the book.
The bulk of the text is a minutia heavy focus on the Ardennes offensive. Even then the focus is not always on Pieper or even the German forces. It goes on to examine US units involved to some extent and the author goes into quite alot of detail when describing US units (german units also) often giving their full unit designations, strength, etc. it gets tedious quite quickly.
The addition of a very breif overview of piepers life feels like it was done intentionally. Giving the book the appearance of being about a particular protagonist, inorder to try and separate it from being just another book about the Ardennes. Which unfortunately it more ot less is.
The introduction to this book explains how the authors interest in the subject led him to teach and organise war games about the ardennes offensive while serving in Germany with the British military.
It feels like the information that was used in teaching those war games has been simply been compiled into a book. It suffers from the issue that some military writers have in that it’s too matter of fact. Information, facts, numbers, dates, times, speculations. It’s very to the point and there is little in the way of emotion that makes for compelling reading.
In summary the Devil’s Adjutant is actually just an Ardennes offensive book masquerading as a book about Joachim Pieper. The information it contains is solid but It’s cold like a military breifing for a war game, rather than a historical narrative on a mans life and combat career.
March 10, 2023
As others state, this isn't a biography of Jochen Peiper but a history of the Leibstandarte in the Ardennes with a focus on Kampfgruppe Peiper. For that is is a well written and detailed book. I wouldn't say it is a great read but Reynolds did manage to impart significant detail while keeping the book from descending into a totally dry stream of facts.
If you are looking for broader info on Peiper, I would suggest the Patrick Agate book [fantastic pictures also]. Although, he seems a bit of an SS fanboy which is a big negative.
If you are looking for broader info on Peiper, I would suggest the Patrick Agate book [fantastic pictures also]. Although, he seems a bit of an SS fanboy which is a big negative.
October 26, 2021
Good book, a very in depth view of the battle of the bulge. Title is a bit misleading, since it is not really a book about Peiper. Is a fair and unbiased description of events and shows them from both sides.
November 25, 2009
Very good in depth anaylsis of both the man and the battle of the bulge.
June 25, 2011
Excellent book
November 6, 2011
Very well writen. Ofcourse still looking for answers.
A very good read!!
A very good read!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews