Brandenburgiečiai. Per kraują ir ugnį

by Sepp de Giampietro, Edmundas Juškevičius (Translator)

Vargu ar iš itališkojo Pietų Tirolio kilęs autorius S. de Giampietro tikėjosi, kad 1940 m. išvykęs gyventi į Vokietiją ir pareiškęs norą tarnauti kariuomenėje pateks į įslaptintą diversantų – „brandenburgiečių“ būrį, rengiamą itin atsakingoms ir pavojingoms operacijoms.

Šie specialią atranką perėję kariai pratinti žaibiškai orientuotis bet kurioje situacijoje, jie išmanė sprogdinimo ir išminavimo darbus, mokėjo elgtis ne tik su savo, bet ir su užsienio gamybos ginkluote.

Veikdami puolančių Vermachto pajėgų smaigalyje, priešo šalies kariuomenės uniformomis dažnai vilkėję „brandenburgiečiai“ užimdavo tiltus ir kitus svarbius objektus, o paskui stengdavosi juos išlaikyti iki atvykstant saviškiams. Vilkėti karinėmis priešo uniformomis draudė tarptautinė karo teisė, todėl patekusiems į nelaisvę „brandenburgiečiams“ grėsė sušaudymas vietoje.

Autoriui teko kovoti Jugoslavijoje ir Graikijoje, Lietuvoje (Josvainiuose, Kėdainiuose), Latvijoje ir Rusijoje. Kai kurios „brandenburgiečių“ operacijos aprašomos ypač detaliai, pateikiamos jų schemos.

Genres: History, World War II, Military History, Nonfiction, Biography, Germany, Autobiography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Grant S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing second world war autobiography.
The author was a member of the 'Brandenburgers' who were considered by some to be Germany's special forces answer to the Commando's and SAS.
I didn't know much about this unit so found it a very informative read.
It also contains some very evocative thoughts and introspection by the writer about the after effects of being in action and how he was left feeling mentally. What we'd now probably call battle stress.
A fair chunk of this book is political and sheds a light on the writers homeland of 'South Tyrol' and the states attempt to gain freedom from Italy and be incorporated fully into Germany and the 'Third Reich'.
In depth and enjoyable war memoir.

[Charles m smith jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the other side. A look at war.

Very interesting to hear from a soldier who believe in what he was fighting for,then his change of mind. Only to carry on to the end like the true soldier he was.

[John Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

`13/20.

[Tam Le Blanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giampietro was an ethnic German from South Tyrol. Despite being let down by Hitler who valued his ally Mussolini higher, the people of South Tyrol were eager to join the Wehrmacht.
Giampietro’s story moves quickly through training and onto Greece where the Brandenberger unit raced the motorcyclists to raise a swastika over Athens.
The book only starts to take a darker turn with the invasion of Russia. Giampietro claims that he unit initially believed a rumour that they were transiting Russia to Iran to attack the British.
Brandenburgers camouflaged themselves in Russian uniforms (taken from prisoners because issued uniforms were too clean) their task was to cross bridges and cut detonation wires. First couple of attempts, the bridges were not wired. At one point they had to pop orange smoke to keep a Messerschmidt away. By the time they arrived at Dünaberg, Latvia, the Russians had succeeded in wiring the bridge. After the battle a sniper took a heavy toll on the unit, with the first death attributed to a random bullet.
A year later at Rostov, the Brandenbergers were again called upon to seize a key bridge. Sepp criticizes one officer who supported plan he only wanted an iron cross. They had taken the bridges at Dünaburg on the sixth day of war, Rostov was a fortified city with well entrenched positions.
And in a grisly reminder that this wasn’t a war of mere steel and machinery: the stench of dead horses. Mission was swapped from camouflaged to urban warfare. They arrived at the first bridge two days late and with part of it blown, they found and repaired a barge to make their way across.
They then made their way to yet another bridge. Unlike many of his Russian counterparts, Sepp had a luminescent watch. Unlike actions the previous year, they could not sneak their way across, they had to storm the bridge and the operation went badly. The commander was killed and Sergeant Giampetro had to order a retreat. Sepp was shaken and although he recovered from the initial shock he began to question what they were doing. Another survivor of the battle in Rostov eventually committed suicide with a hand grenade.
There are a few nitpicks and question marks. Inconsistent nomenclature for various small arms such as machine pistols, pistols and machine guns.
Although by 1942 Giampietro has seen enough failures and death to start questioning what he was doing most of the horror visited on civilians is only obliquely mentioned. The translator could perhaps have provided a bit more background. But this book is focused on the Brandenburg unit and is useful in that context.
A useful memoir for those interested in tactics, but it has some obvious limitation.

[Christina S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's quite unique as most Brandenbürgers didn't survive to tell Their first-hand accounts as their operations were usually suicide missions . It's very easy to read,well written, action packed . It's only a pity he was never a National Socialist . Because he's from Südtirol ,and all the other Südtirolers ,they only wanted to be joined with the Greater German Reich as Hitler had promised ,and not under the oppressive italian fascist rule which attempted to destroy all german culture in that area . They were shocked when Hitler & mussolini agreed on the pact that Südtirol would forever remain under italian rule. They were given the option to become german citizens and emigrate to Germany ,or remain italian citizens in italy,or not decide at all. Over 80% opted for Germany . The Author wanted to join the Wehrmacht but was soon after transfered to the "special units" for "special operations " which he was never happy about as he did not voluntarily sign up for that and only wanted to be a Gebirgsjäger . And stupidly he questioned his commander about if it was right and honourable to fight in disguised uniforms and not be in a german uniform , like wtf, this is a war ,the only thing that matters is that you win,the enemy did no different . - consequently, he was always watched by his superiors after his doubting. What I don't like throughout the entire book he was always thinking " what are we actually fighting for? this war is wrong," (no shit,Hitler didn't start the war) & was disillusioned in the Führer . But in any case he was always a loyal soldier and rose to Second Lieutenant ,at the end of the war he was captured,but escaped many times and made his way back home in 1945.

[Dan Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous read. One should read

One should read Manstein’s LOST VICTORIES first where he comments on the Brandenburgers capturing the bridge at Dvinsk and how critical it could have been had Hitler allowed the bridge head to be exploited. This book gives the story on how this bridge was actually captured. Note: the bridge is under a different name in Blood and Soil than in Lost Victories.

[Al Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

If for no other reason, this book is well worth the read for its insights into Brandenburger operations. His experiences as part of this division differ greatly from most other TR memoirs that I've read. There is some great reflections on the author's motivations and background, and I found the cultural and national affinity of the South Tyroleans with Germany particularly interesting.
There's no doubt a certain degree of embellishment in the recounting of certain elements of the his story, but I am certainly in no position to measure the veracity of another individual's memories or the long term impressions left by his experiences. Especially when the most pertinent details remain accurate.
There's enough accounts of action to keep those that crave that type of thing happy but for me, it served very well as an insight into his unique experiences and his capacity for introspection.

[Guycarrwuzrght · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a first hand account of what being a Brandenburger was like than read this book.

Quite an amazing read! If you want to learn about the Brandenbergers and their exploits this your book. Another interesting piece of history I learned was the South Tyrolean situation. A little known struggle for independence for the German people who live in South Tyrol Italy. This part really peaked my interest given how Hitler moved to liberate all german speaking peoples of Europe. The authors struggle and that of his South Tyrolean brethren is central to the theme of story. I would definitely recommend this book

[Larmie Fahrendorff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting detailed account of a soldier's personal battle.

I found this book to be not only an account of one soldier's WWII experience, but also his questioning of his original ideals and the realization of the eventual perversion of the leadership's intent. I found his fidelity to his ideals laudable. I do believe, however, that the author may have omitted some details of his battles which were not so laudable, taking this conclusion from other sources regarding details of the battles herein described.

[James Flack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating read about a side of the war that we never learn about. I can understand the author's desire to believe in the German ideal, and what he saw and fight to achieve it, but also you soon see the despair about what he is really doing as the war progresses and questioning his commitment.

Really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who wants a more balanced view about WW2

[DARRYL J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to further my understanding of what motivates a young man during war service. It confirmed my view that Nationalism is a misplaced virtue, it is a form of racism, and can easily be used to justify immorality. I thank the author for writing such an honest account as he could. He described the horror of war vividly.

[John Slatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic look

An amazing and realistic look at World War 2 from a German perspective. The transition from an idealistic youth, to a seasoned noncom, to a disillusioned officer is well laid out. An excellent read.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as actioned packed as I had expected. The author is very humble and mainly focuses his story on what it was like to stay alive and out of captivity. It is good, and it was good to read something from a special operator that is not overly boasting of how he is the greatest to have ever fought.

[Bruce Justinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Americans are raised with apple pie, a waving US flag and a moral superiority that subjugates everyone else to our self-righteous judgement!

Then we are faced with a NAZI Brandenburger Commando's memoir where he starts his journey as a boy soldier with idealistic, bright-eyed optimism that he is going to fight for the "freedom" of Greater Germany.

He trains, learns the skills of war and then hears through the grapevine that one of the requirements of a Brandenburger commando is to be willing to don the uniform of another nation in order to infiltrate their lines for a special purpose. He is aghast at this treachery toward others, he feels it is not right and immoral to wage war this way as a German soldier.

His commanding officer takes him aside and as you will see, leads him to change his mind and to actually be shamed by his initial thoughts.

Then he is off to war, first through the Balkans and into Greece where his squad is the first to reach Athens. Many adventures along the way! And it is here once again that his brain starts asking the question, "what are we doing here?"

The author never mentions it but you can't help but wonder if it is not the war and reprisals against the population, NOT the war between the armies that makes him ask that question, "what are we doing here?" There are a couple of times in the book where he rationalizes that all armies in all ages have "stolen and thieved" from the population during times of war. Again, you wonder what, "stolen and thieved" was?

Then, it is off to the infinity of Russia, The thousands of miles of dirt roads with no landmarks, just dust, then battles including a tragic one (because by this time you are empathetic to your host, a Nazi Brandenburger commando). Yes, you will be.

Then suddenly, back to Austria.

You will marvel that he lived through all of the battles, skirmishes, patrols, firefights, ambushes, etc. when virtually everyone else did not. You will feel his loneliness for his friends now forever departed, his pain with no place to rest and anger that has no target to hit.

You will laugh out loud at his one day of being a POW and his ingenious "escape"?

You will empathize with the confusion he feels as he wants to hate but cannot, you will feel his guilt, and you will feel his absence of peace.

[Michel D. Guernsey]

Excellent account of the Brandenburgers teams in WW2

Excellent first person account of Brandenburg teamwork on the Eastern front by a member of the team and his struggles to get home postwar. Very enjoyable and well edited. What I would like to see is Brandeburger team employment during the closing days of the war retreating across Hungary/Finland and Bohemia. I travelled through those areas in the 1970s and was offered weapons, uniform items and historic accounts from residents who lived in homes and farms during that turbulent period in 1945. A brief accounting of the Brandenburgers activities would be welcomed.

[Tim Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare look at life from a survivor of the Brandenburg regiment. Additionally it comes from a South Tyrolean German who travelled to Germany to volunteer to fight for the 3rd Reich. Originally written in German, the translator has added useful notes explaining some of the challenges and possible alternative meanings of the original text. I suspect that there is some revisionism in the authors work as a few of the comments seem a bit too tidy. However given this was originally written years after the war the author may be just telling how they feel now about what happened then. Still a great addition to the scarce literature on this unit

[Dan S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative read. Learned a lot about the Tyrol culture and interesting to see the story told from the Wehrmacht perspective.

[Paul Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written account, can highly recommend.

[Mark Baines · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the motivation and thinking of the people in South Tyrol at the start of WW2 and the way the followed Hitler in pursuit of the securing of their German roots, rather than any fascist ideal.
The author (and his friends) enlist in the Wermacht and seem to fall into the role of the 'Brandenburger' assault troops. His writings suggest these were the equivalent of commando or similar 'specialist' troops in the British form/use of them, and description of method of use indicate more of the assault pioneer or even 'forlorn hope' of Napoleonic times, who were brought/sent forward for almost suicidal missions to secure a bridgehead required for the success of Blitzkreig.
Interesting that there is little on his action/time in Italy post officer training; preferring to muse on the validity of his motivations and the benefit of hindsight. The trek home would probably benefit from some mapping to demonstrate the distance covered; his matter of fact prose gives the impression at the start that this is a relatively short venture whereas it is actually some feat with its own merit.