Kessler's Raid

Eastern Front #3

by Shaun Hutson

Christmas 1941; In the wake of the German conquests, General Ernst Bucher had pillaged Europe of its art treasures. He possessed some of the world's most valuable artifacts, but there was something else he wanted. However, it lay three hundred miles behind Russian lines in a huge castle. The only men capable of getting it were surrounded by the freezing hell of a Russian winter. They were Assault Section Sledgehammer, men who had learned to live with new enemies like frost-bite, starvation and man-eating wolves.
But when this new mission came, it seemed simple enough. An apparently unguarded castle, a plane to fly them back again. It seemed easy. They got the treasures but, when the Cossacks arrived Kessler's 'simple' mission became a bloodbath from which escape seemed impossible and from which few could hope to survive...

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1982

About the author

British horror novelist, including horror and urban thriller novels.

His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.

Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The futility of war demonstratedcruelly.

[Paul Thorley · Rating 5 out of 5]

War at it's stupidest.

Another excellent read very hard to put down. Full of action and humour as can only be found in such turmoil. Well done Sgt Kessler again.

[Nick LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this as a fan of Shaun Hutson's horror books. I am not typically one for War or Adventure Fiction but after finding a copy of this on the Internet Archive I figured I'd give this series a go. I'm glad I did. Normally, a book about Nazi soldiers leading a raid into Russia would not interest me--especially when I'm supposed to be sympathizing with the Nazis. But, when filtered through Hutson's splatterpunk pulpiness and propulsive plotting, it goes down all too smoothly.

Hutson does a good job of establishing the difference between German soldiers stuck in a war against their will and Nazi sympathizers, in fact many of the personal squabbles between the characters comes from this tension. Thankfully, the central character Kessler is the former, a man stuck in a futile war fighting for pathetic fascists just trying to make it out the other side. Plus, a bunch of Nazis die, so that's always fun to see.

The action is well-paced and relentless. The setting is cold, barren, and hopeless. The violence and gore is nasty and impactful. Even the obligatory soldier banter isn't as corny or annoying as it can often be. The central metaphor of the futility and pointlessness of war is well established and has a satisfying (if brutally depressing) end. Plus, the book only sticks around for 190 or so pages, so you're in and out with plenty of good will to spare.

Considering how well written and fun this was to read and how large and supportive Hutson's fan base is, I'm shocked to see it isn't more popular. I'll definitely check out more of the Kruger books. Now if I could only find some paperback editions that wouldn't destroy my wallet...

[Chris simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashion war story written under the pseudonym of Wolf Kruger by Shaun Hutson a prolific writer of horror stories. Its a good series so far with strong characters fighting along the Eastern Front with the German Army. In the horrors of winter on the Eastern Front, facing increasing Russian pressure the battalion are used for special missions and designated as Assault Section Sledgehammer.
This second story sees the men flown deep into the Russian hinterland in the depths of winter to capture priceless artworks for a greedy general so that he can gift them to Adolf Hitler and gain advancement and honours for himself . Lots of blo0od and battle scenarios Reminiscent of Sven Hassel books p0ublished in the late 1950s through to the 1980s about the second world war thise stories are very entertaining if you like this sort of thing

[Monroe Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action but author is British and uses British slang like Lorry, Bloody, etc., a bit confusing since the character are German soldiers.