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The Smell of War: Lessons from the Battlefield
Roland Bartetzko is a former soldier with the German Army, the Kosovo Liberation Army, and Croatian Defense Council and took part in extensive engagements during the conflicts in the Balkans. These are his memories of dangerous, deadly, and sometimes funny times. It is the true story of what the war was like in Bosnia and in Kosovo. "The Smell of War" invites us on a tour that starts on a hot summer day in the city of Mostar at the height of the Bosnian war and ends in a small valley in Kosovo when the Serbian forces start their withdrawal. In between the pages, we learn about the fighting which took place, but also about the different people that were involved, their hopes and their civilians, refugees, children, reporters, criminals and sometimes lunatics. There are stories about death and the evil things humans do to one another, but also funny and heartwarming ones, about simple people with true courage who resisted and fought for a just cause. Unlike many other ‘memoirs’ about war, Bartetzko doesn’t paint a heroic image of himself and his brothers in they are sometimes scared, make a ton of mistakes, and things do not always end well. A story can be very interesting, but if we don’t draw the right lessons from it, it’s just a story and nothing more. Therefore, at the end of many chapters, Bartetzko gives advice. His ‘lessons’ are practical tips for everyone who wants to know how to survive in a war zone or how to stay calm and manage stress in extreme situations. The “Smell of War” is an amazing and true story. It is a tribute to the real soldiers who are fighting our battles and the brave civilians who selflessly help them.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2018
107 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Roland Bartetzko
5 books25 followersRoland is a German soldier that volunteered for the Bosnian Croat side (the HVO) in the Bosnian War (1992–95) and the ethnic Albanian rebels (the KLA) in the Kosovo War (1998–99).
He has a university degree in law and is currently working for a law firm in Prishtina, Kosovo. He published a study on radical Islam in Kosovo and his analysis on counterinsurgency "A-how-to guide for counterinsurgency" has been referenced by NATO as a recommended read.
He has a university degree in law and is currently working for a law firm in Prishtina, Kosovo. He published a study on radical Islam in Kosovo and his analysis on counterinsurgency "A-how-to guide for counterinsurgency" has been referenced by NATO as a recommended read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 17, 2018
I've really enjoyed reading Mr. Bartetzko's answers on Quora, which add breadth and depth to the stories contained here - check him out on Quora if you read and enjoy this book, or want a preview of his writing style.
Overall an interesting read about the author's experiences as a foreign fighter in European conflicts. The stories come across as authentic, and the mindset and reality of day-to-day life in a war zone are probably the most interesting part. It's well worth a read if you're curious about how it feels to be a fighter in a war you're choosing to fight in.
Overall an interesting read about the author's experiences as a foreign fighter in European conflicts. The stories come across as authentic, and the mindset and reality of day-to-day life in a war zone are probably the most interesting part. It's well worth a read if you're curious about how it feels to be a fighter in a war you're choosing to fight in.
September 5, 2019
Thank you Roland for documenting your fascinating story in the trenches of Balkans and the Bloody wars that happened here. I wish everybody will read your book and get great insights of the war and its consequences. Im very thankful for your willingness to serve in our country and the bravery you have shown.Thank you
February 14, 2018
Guerilla warfare and how to fight and survive modern warfare for
A fine memoir of Bosnia and the Kosovo liberation army.
Serious and yet laugh out loud funny, Roland Bartezeko informs and entertains all at once.
A fine memoir of Bosnia and the Kosovo liberation army.
Serious and yet laugh out loud funny, Roland Bartezeko informs and entertains all at once.
June 13, 2018
The most down-to-earth, realistic and honest book on guerrilla warfare that I've read so far. No heroism, no patriotism, no idealism, no sugar-coating, no bs. This is the real deal. Keep up the good work Roland!
March 14, 2018
Excellent
A well detailed narration from the point of view of a Soldier in Battlefield. Lot of useful tips on dos and don'ts for Soldiers and Civilians during battle.
A well detailed narration from the point of view of a Soldier in Battlefield. Lot of useful tips on dos and don'ts for Soldiers and Civilians during battle.
September 22, 2019
Wow.
A true insight to the conflict in the Balkans from the front lines. Roland does not only recount his experiences throughout the conflicts - but goes on to provide interesting insight into guerrilla tactics that were necessary against a better equipped opponent.
Congratulations to the author for publishing his memoirs , I only wish I can live a life with a fraction of experiences that I will one day be able to pass down to my kin.
Thank you for such an enjoyable read! I highly recommend this book.
A true insight to the conflict in the Balkans from the front lines. Roland does not only recount his experiences throughout the conflicts - but goes on to provide interesting insight into guerrilla tactics that were necessary against a better equipped opponent.
Congratulations to the author for publishing his memoirs , I only wish I can live a life with a fraction of experiences that I will one day be able to pass down to my kin.
Thank you for such an enjoyable read! I highly recommend this book.
February 26, 2019
Great Lecture
A very interesting book wrote for a man who is HONEST. A great collection of stories from a man who satisfied his personal dreams.
A very interesting book wrote for a man who is HONEST. A great collection of stories from a man who satisfied his personal dreams.
September 24, 2020
The Smell of War. Roland Bartetzko
The author, is a veteran of the German army, Kosovo Liberation Army and the Croatian Defense Council. These book describes his training or better yet his learning curve on how to successfully fight and most importantly survive . He also fought in the Balkans. After each skirmish or battle he tells of his observations of the conflict. Pro's and con's. He recounts stories of meeting new people and forming friendships. He tells of the hardships of battle. Civilians always suffered the most. This is an excellent read. An eye opener into this war. My highest recommendation!
The author, is a veteran of the German army, Kosovo Liberation Army and the Croatian Defense Council. These book describes his training or better yet his learning curve on how to successfully fight and most importantly survive . He also fought in the Balkans. After each skirmish or battle he tells of his observations of the conflict. Pro's and con's. He recounts stories of meeting new people and forming friendships. He tells of the hardships of battle. Civilians always suffered the most. This is an excellent read. An eye opener into this war. My highest recommendation!
March 7, 2019
Great read
Very interesting to read from this soldiers point of view. Observations and the realities of what these wars were about for a soldier is very interesting and Informative. Well done!!
Very interesting to read from this soldiers point of view. Observations and the realities of what these wars were about for a soldier is very interesting and Informative. Well done!!
June 14, 2018
I highly recommend this book,important details and the realest story someone has ever told about these wars , especially in Kosovo, definetly a good read, keep up the good work.
June 14, 2018
A perfect book to read, I loved it, very well written.
June 14, 2018
Un libro ben scritto, belle storie e momenti divertenti, una storia perfetta, Bravo
June 14, 2018
Let's just say that the book is a perfect mix between high tension stories and funny moments, absolutely loved it, and I would highly recommend it to everyone, awesome work, Roland.
June 22, 2018
Very good
Gripping, short and to the point. Gives you a decent account how guerrilla tactics are used. Glad Roland made it out alive.
Gripping, short and to the point. Gives you a decent account how guerrilla tactics are used. Glad Roland made it out alive.
May 5, 2019
Worth your time
Good writing from someone who was in a lot of the action. Worth your time and $$$. Recommend this book.
Good writing from someone who was in a lot of the action. Worth your time and $$$. Recommend this book.
August 5, 2019
Highly recommend to everyone interested in how the war looks like in the eyes of a volunteer soldier.
August 25, 2019
Reality of war
Told from a real soldier, gives me the impression of unthinkable realities of war and new perspective from the frontline fighters
Told from a real soldier, gives me the impression of unthinkable realities of war and new perspective from the frontline fighters
September 5, 2019
Fascinating read
This is an Incredibly captivating book. I can't recommend it enough. I dearly hope the author chooses to share more of his life in another book. 5/5.
This is an Incredibly captivating book. I can't recommend it enough. I dearly hope the author chooses to share more of his life in another book. 5/5.
June 17, 2024
There aren’t many boys today who grow up with the ambition to fight in a war – but that’s what Roland Bartetzko always wanted to do. Growing up in the old West Germany, there was the chance that he would have to do exactly that, should the Soviet tanks roll West. So Bartetzko enrolled in the German army, training as a paratrooper. But then, in a miracle that was so unexpected we have pretty well ignored it ever since, the Berlin Wall came down, the Soviet Union dissolved and the Cold War ended without a shot being fired.
Great for the rest of us, bad for a young German who desperately wanted to test his mettle in a proper war. But in the aftermath of the dissolution of the old Eastern bloc, the old tensions that had been suppressed under communism rose to the surface again, first in what had previously been Yugoslavia. War broke out there, the first war in Europe since the end of World War II. Now Bartetzko had his chance.
Signing up as a volunteer for the Croatian Defence Council, Bartetzko got to taste war at first hand. And not just taste it: he dived in head first. Because this is the strange truth that it’s important we recognise: for most people, war is hell. But there is a small sub group of men for whom war is not life: never do they feel more alive, more energised, more vital than when their lives are on the line. Bob Crisp, South African cricketer, WWII tanker and, according to Wisden, ‘one of the most extraordinary men to ever play cricket’ was one. Crisp later told his son that he “loved the war. He enjoyed it. He thought it was fantastic".
Another was Adrian Carton de Wiart whose Wikipedia biography famously begins: He served in the Boer War, First World War, and Second World War. He was shot in the face, head, stomach, ankle, leg, hip, and ear; was blinded in his left eye; survived two plane crashes; tunnelled out of a prisoner-of-war camp; and tore off his own fingers when a doctor declined to amputate them. Describing his experiences in the First World War, he wrote, “Frankly, I had enjoyed the war.”
Now we can add Roland Bartetzko to that list. For with the Croatian war over, Bartetzko did not go home to Germany but instead volunteered for the even more shoestring Kosovo Liberation Army, fighting a guerilla war against the Serbs, seemingly against impossible odds, until NATO came to the rescue of the Kosovans.
But this is not a book about why Bartetzko wanted to test himself in battle – he barely touches on that. Instead, it’s actually a manual of what to do and what not to do if you should find yourself fighting as a guerilla against a vastly more powerful enemy. It includes how to set up an ambush, what to do when pinned down by a machine gun, the importance of foot care and many other aspects of practical war craft from a man who knows it better than most people. It’s laconic, clear and honest.
Bartetzko is still the war dog. Too old, he says, to fight against the Russians in Ukraine, he is still near the front lines, bringing supplies and equipment to the soldiers there. It’s a remarkable book from a fascinating man – but a man who appears oblivious or unwilling to ask questions as to his own fascination with war.
Great for the rest of us, bad for a young German who desperately wanted to test his mettle in a proper war. But in the aftermath of the dissolution of the old Eastern bloc, the old tensions that had been suppressed under communism rose to the surface again, first in what had previously been Yugoslavia. War broke out there, the first war in Europe since the end of World War II. Now Bartetzko had his chance.
Signing up as a volunteer for the Croatian Defence Council, Bartetzko got to taste war at first hand. And not just taste it: he dived in head first. Because this is the strange truth that it’s important we recognise: for most people, war is hell. But there is a small sub group of men for whom war is not life: never do they feel more alive, more energised, more vital than when their lives are on the line. Bob Crisp, South African cricketer, WWII tanker and, according to Wisden, ‘one of the most extraordinary men to ever play cricket’ was one. Crisp later told his son that he “loved the war. He enjoyed it. He thought it was fantastic".
Another was Adrian Carton de Wiart whose Wikipedia biography famously begins: He served in the Boer War, First World War, and Second World War. He was shot in the face, head, stomach, ankle, leg, hip, and ear; was blinded in his left eye; survived two plane crashes; tunnelled out of a prisoner-of-war camp; and tore off his own fingers when a doctor declined to amputate them. Describing his experiences in the First World War, he wrote, “Frankly, I had enjoyed the war.”
Now we can add Roland Bartetzko to that list. For with the Croatian war over, Bartetzko did not go home to Germany but instead volunteered for the even more shoestring Kosovo Liberation Army, fighting a guerilla war against the Serbs, seemingly against impossible odds, until NATO came to the rescue of the Kosovans.
But this is not a book about why Bartetzko wanted to test himself in battle – he barely touches on that. Instead, it’s actually a manual of what to do and what not to do if you should find yourself fighting as a guerilla against a vastly more powerful enemy. It includes how to set up an ambush, what to do when pinned down by a machine gun, the importance of foot care and many other aspects of practical war craft from a man who knows it better than most people. It’s laconic, clear and honest.
Bartetzko is still the war dog. Too old, he says, to fight against the Russians in Ukraine, he is still near the front lines, bringing supplies and equipment to the soldiers there. It’s a remarkable book from a fascinating man – but a man who appears oblivious or unwilling to ask questions as to his own fascination with war.
February 19, 2019
Kniha je veľmi krátka a písaná z pohľadu vojaka účastniaceho sa konfliktu. Okrem zážitkov, respektíve skúseností z bojov v Bosne a Kosove, obsahuje rady ako sa správať v rôznych situáciách počas vojny, ak ste vojak/vojenka alebo aj civilistka/civilista. Rozhodne ju neodporúčam čítať chlapcom, ktorí sa chcú hrať na vojakov, naopak, pre niekoho, kto sa chystá na zahraničnú misiu a pod., môže byť prínosným čítaním.
S knihou mám zásadný morálny problém. Autor bol zahraničným dobrovoľníkom počas vojny v Bosne na strane Chorvátov, vo vojne v Kosove zas na strane kosovských Albáncov. Jeho motiváciou účastniť sa bojov vraj bolo zdokonalenie sa v remesle - v práci vojaka. No práca vojaka v aktuálnych konfliktoch so sebou temer nutne prináša zabíjanie druhých, a preto "dobrovoľníctvo" v tejto oblasti, ak je motiváciou zdokonalenie sa v boji, je pre mňa nepochopiteľné. Okrem toho z knihy vyznieva, že keď autor prišiel do Bosny, len náhodne sa pridal k Chorvátom, pokojne sa mohol pridať i k Bosniakom, len k Srbom nie, lebo tí boli podľa neho predsa tí zlí. Lenže ako príslušník chorvátskych silových zložiek najprv bojoval práve proti Bosniakom, ktorých počas bojov nazýval nepriateľmi.
Mentalita vojaka je pre mňa zatiaľ nepochopiteľná, tak cudzia, že si o nej musím viac načítať, aby som ju bola schopná objektívnejšie hodnotiť.
Na druhej strane, hoc nám, ľuďom, ktorí sme vojnu nezažili, sa môžu zdať rady ako prežiť v boji trochu zvláštne, kosovská i bosenská spoločnosť sú postkonfliktnými krajinami, kde si ľudia pamätajú vojnu, či už počas dospelosti alebo v detstve, a extrémizmus, vrátane rozdelenia spoločnosti, je ta i dnes všadeprítomný. Hoc obyčajní ľudia vojnu nechcú, v mysliach jej možnosť stále jestvuje. Ani v deväťdesiatych rokoch ju nechceli. Bola.
S knihou mám zásadný morálny problém. Autor bol zahraničným dobrovoľníkom počas vojny v Bosne na strane Chorvátov, vo vojne v Kosove zas na strane kosovských Albáncov. Jeho motiváciou účastniť sa bojov vraj bolo zdokonalenie sa v remesle - v práci vojaka. No práca vojaka v aktuálnych konfliktoch so sebou temer nutne prináša zabíjanie druhých, a preto "dobrovoľníctvo" v tejto oblasti, ak je motiváciou zdokonalenie sa v boji, je pre mňa nepochopiteľné. Okrem toho z knihy vyznieva, že keď autor prišiel do Bosny, len náhodne sa pridal k Chorvátom, pokojne sa mohol pridať i k Bosniakom, len k Srbom nie, lebo tí boli podľa neho predsa tí zlí. Lenže ako príslušník chorvátskych silových zložiek najprv bojoval práve proti Bosniakom, ktorých počas bojov nazýval nepriateľmi.
Mentalita vojaka je pre mňa zatiaľ nepochopiteľná, tak cudzia, že si o nej musím viac načítať, aby som ju bola schopná objektívnejšie hodnotiť.
Na druhej strane, hoc nám, ľuďom, ktorí sme vojnu nezažili, sa môžu zdať rady ako prežiť v boji trochu zvláštne, kosovská i bosenská spoločnosť sú postkonfliktnými krajinami, kde si ľudia pamätajú vojnu, či už počas dospelosti alebo v detstve, a extrémizmus, vrátane rozdelenia spoločnosti, je ta i dnes všadeprítomný. Hoc obyčajní ľudia vojnu nechcú, v mysliach jej možnosť stále jestvuje. Ani v deväťdesiatych rokoch ju nechceli. Bola.
March 23, 2022
The smell of war is the smell of the dead (often burned away) and the smell of the unbathed soldiers. The ubiquity of these smells conveys the way war completely takes over normal society and morality. Simple language with very matter-of-fact, nonheroic war tales. Also good advice on how to survive as a beginning soldier or refugee. Finally, not a little expose of the tactics of guerilla warfare. Short and to the point. Not for the faint-hearted although there is no gore or violence for its own sake - the author clearly sees epistemic blasphemy in such glorification of war. Based on the books he is reading while in the intervals between combat, he is clearly much brighter than the simple language of the text might suggest. He has no political or ethnic agenda although he served in anti-Serb militaries. Serbs are merely the momentary enemy he is paid to kill.
January 11, 2023
Bartetzko is a former soldier in the German military who went on to fight in Bosnia and Kosovo. Subtitled as “Lessons from the Battlefield” Bartetzko intersperses anecdotes with “observations” in which he offers advice on surviving common situations. The anecdotes are all at least mildly interesting, but on the whole not particularly insightful about the book’s most interesting potential subject: the author. Bartetzko comes across as type who might have been a roving pikeman-for-hire centuries ago, but we never really learn who he is, or what motivated him to pick up his gun and fight these wars.
August 7, 2021
A must-read for students of modern unconventional war
I’ve read a lot of military history over the past five decades, including many first-hand accounts. In comparison to most eye witnesses (most of whom had professional authors as co-writers) and most professional historians, Roland Bartetzko is not a great writer. But I’d put “The Smell of War” on a must-read list because it is unique. It is an unadorned first-hand account of a modern war, some conventional but mostly unconventional, from the point of view of a soldier. Two wars, actually, both in the 1990’s: the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War.
There is no politics or propaganda in this book, just anecdotal stories of small unit fighting and survival skills. I’m glad I picked it up. You will be, too.
I’ve read a lot of military history over the past five decades, including many first-hand accounts. In comparison to most eye witnesses (most of whom had professional authors as co-writers) and most professional historians, Roland Bartetzko is not a great writer. But I’d put “The Smell of War” on a must-read list because it is unique. It is an unadorned first-hand account of a modern war, some conventional but mostly unconventional, from the point of view of a soldier. Two wars, actually, both in the 1990’s: the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War.
There is no politics or propaganda in this book, just anecdotal stories of small unit fighting and survival skills. I’m glad I picked it up. You will be, too.
July 15, 2025
I often read Roland Bartetzko’s comments on Quora. At present (July 2025), he is assisting the Ukrainian army by providing supplies. While reading his comments, I became acquainted with his time as a soldier Bosnian Croat side (HVO) in the Bosnian War (1992-95) and as a soldier with Albanian rebels (the KLA) in the Kosovo War (1998-99). His prior experiences bring unique understandings and insights in the war in Ukraine.
Because I enjoy his Quora articles, I wanted to read about his prior experiences. His stories are authentic and provide a sense of what it is like for a young man volunteering to fight in a war. It is always interesting as a reader to ask yourself how you would have coped.
For those who are curious about Bartetzko’s background, this book is an enjoyable read.
Because I enjoy his Quora articles, I wanted to read about his prior experiences. His stories are authentic and provide a sense of what it is like for a young man volunteering to fight in a war. It is always interesting as a reader to ask yourself how you would have coped.
For those who are curious about Bartetzko’s background, this book is an enjoyable read.
August 9, 2022
Overall a nice and easy read, and an interesting book. The language is not elaborate, nor is there a developed story or structure, but since it's supposed to be a memoir, I guess that's not expected. Roland Bartetzko does manage to produce a text that brings you live into what he was experiencing, which feels very real and visceral, but without much drama and pomp. Simple language and slight repetitiveness feels aligned with the spirit of the book.
The style and content are also consistent with the texts the Author wrote often on the Quora platform.
The style and content are also consistent with the texts the Author wrote often on the Quora platform.
December 13, 2022
Very brief book that is an engrossing story of one man's wartime experiences in Croatia and Kosovo. English is not Roland's first language, but it hardly showed as I was intrigued by the lessons he learned, and shared. Lots of good advice, not only for soldiers expecting combat, but plenty to learn for any civilian in a war zone, or natural disaster. I would have liked to read more of his experiences in the book. I have followed him on social media, and he has much more to tell. I would hope that another book might be written when his current (less combat related) adventures reach a more settled state.
June 30, 2023
Guerilla stories
This is not a polished account written by a competent author. It is a series of vignettes giving a strong impression of what it is like to be a combatant in small wars.
I never really understood from the author why he was there, clearly some need for excitement but very little about the common cause or motivation with the comrades with whom he was fighting. Maybe with slightly different circumstances he could have been fighting with Bosnian muslims against Croats rather than the other way round.
Interesting from these accounts how rarely a bullet or shell hits a target, indeed how rarely it is fired at a specicific target.
This is not a polished account written by a competent author. It is a series of vignettes giving a strong impression of what it is like to be a combatant in small wars.
I never really understood from the author why he was there, clearly some need for excitement but very little about the common cause or motivation with the comrades with whom he was fighting. Maybe with slightly different circumstances he could have been fighting with Bosnian muslims against Croats rather than the other way round.
Interesting from these accounts how rarely a bullet or shell hits a target, indeed how rarely it is fired at a specicific target.
March 30, 2021
Having come from Roland's quora answers, I bought the book and boy, the book didn't disappoint me.
First of all, it was an amazing memoir and the anecdotes in there very engaging. It also gave solid advice on things like how to not get shot by soldiers at a checkpoint and how to evade snipers.
All in all, the book was an eye-opener and I recommend this book to people who plan to serve the military
First of all, it was an amazing memoir and the anecdotes in there very engaging. It also gave solid advice on things like how to not get shot by soldiers at a checkpoint and how to evade snipers.
All in all, the book was an eye-opener and I recommend this book to people who plan to serve the military
August 11, 2021
This was an interesting little volume about the author’s experiences fighting for Croats in the first Balkan war and the KLA in the Kosovo war. His English is idiosyncratic but good, and the stories make you feel like you were hearing some no bull talk from someone who was there. There are universals of small unit combat here. This author was not a self aggrandizing chest pounder, just someone I wanted to hear and learn from - and I did. I recommend this book especially as a Kindle Unlimited read. 3.49 stars, and worth your time.
August 28, 2022
In a clear style with relatively short sentences the author describes his experiences as a soldier in the Kosovo Liberation Army. Putting his arms away, he investigates the situation in the Serbian occupied villages feeling sorry for the civilians, concluding that he'd be more useful as a soldier.
A pretty short read, but there is nothing better than to read about war time experiences as as a soldier from the first hand. This book certainly pays attribute to this.
A pretty short read, but there is nothing better than to read about war time experiences as as a soldier from the first hand. This book certainly pays attribute to this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews