Conquerors' Road: An Eyewitness Report of Germany 1945

by Osmar White

One of Australia's well-known chroniclers of the Second World War tells the devastating story of war from the insider's perspective. Based largely on Osmar White's own war diary and the articles he wrote as a war correspondent, this deeply personal account stands out among the vast literature on World War II. Selected among the best 100 articles in Australian journalism of the twentieth century, White's eloquent record of the climactic events in the final days of the Third Reich remains as fresh and timely as ever.

Genres: World War II, Germany, History, Nonfiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Konstantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unglaublich objektive Sicht auf das von ihm Erlebte und so genial formuliert.
Aber das vielleicht wichtigste aus dem ganzen Buch:
“If I could advocate for anything, I would advocate perpetuation of the hatred in which Nazism was held. I would like to see that hatred and ever-burning flame in the hearts and minds of all men. I would like to see a universal alertness to recognise Nazism wherever it might be found and under whatever mask and name.”

Das in 1945 zu denken und zu schreiben und wissend nicht nur auf Deutschland zu beziehen… Osmar White war es einfach

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with a very odd history. Australian journalist, novelist, author and war correspondent Osmar White published a very good account of the New Guinea campaign, Green Armour, which should be read alongside George Johnston's admirable New Guinea Diary. White then moved on to the European theatre, arriving in time to enter Germany in the wake of Patton's army (like everybody else, he couldn't actually keep up with Patton!). This is his first-hand account of the invasion of Germany, the surrender, and the early weeks of a Russian-held Berlin and the mopping up campaign of the Americans. When he submitted the book for publication in 1946, it was at first gleefully accepted as a natural follow-on in tone and temper from his earlier work. And then suddenly, after publication dates had been set and all seemed ready to go, the book was dropped.

Looking back, it is not difficult to see why: White made no bones about the over-zealous attitude of the invading armies at the end of the war, and what he felt to be the foolish processes that took place at the beginning of the peace, including the Nuremberg trials. This was much too controversial a topic at the time and neither the Americans or the English would publish the book as it stood.

Yet White was back in Australia by this time and working on other projects, so he let the matter drop. It was not until 1996 that the idea of publishing this long-forgotten work surfaced, and White decided that he would try and get it out. This edition has now been available for a decade or so and must constitute one of the last remaining documents of its kind (without including still-classified government information, of course) to be made available to students, historians and the general public.

It is initially a straightforward account of the fast-paced campaign to cross the Rhine and head for the heart of Germany and White's prose is certainly up to the task. Once the war is over, however, White begins to analyze certain aspects of the end-of-war scenario that is building, and he becomes a severe critic of much of the military and political leadership of the day. A very worthwhile read with that unbeatable additional ingredient: first-hand experience of these very historic, yet very sad weeks and months at the end of the European war.

[Ward Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable book, well worth seeking out. It is a shame that publishers in 1945 were afraid of issuing it. It is a primary source. As a reporter he was allowed in to Nazi bunkers, looted art and gold caches, and Buchenwald, along with the first Allied troops. His unvarnished reports took my breath away.

The original final chapter, in the appendices, is worth quoting:

“In no community of civilized men can one individual retain sovereignty above the law. So it must be in a community of civilized nations. That is the lesson, the only worthwhile lesson, that can be learnt from the terror and waste and cruelty of the years just past. A score of million people have died in the search for the touchstone that will make a law for nations practicable. I cannot and will not believe, remembering those dead and the living who still strive, that my kin will fail in the search, or in the end reject truth.”

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Osmar White was a correspondent for the Herald in Europe during World War II. This was written in November 1945 and published some 40 years later, more or less unedited. It was not published at the time it was written for political reasons. This eye witness account from Germany at the war ends and as the allies take over Germany is great reporting. A good friend recommended this little gem. One reflects on various cultures of today where poverty and indecisive leadership make it possible for dictators to take over and how difficult it is to get rid of them: Syria, for example.

[Kasia]

So far so good!!