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D-Day Tank Hunter: The World War II memoirs of a frontline officer from North Africa to the bloody soil of Normandy
One of the last German veterans of World War II recounts his wartime experiences - with the harrowing directness of someone who stood amid the firestorm.
Hans Hoeller joined the war in 1941 and was trained as a tank hunter. After his first assignment to North Africa he returned to Germany for officer´s training. Once again, he deployed to the desert to take part in the last battles of the Wehrmacht in Tunisia. Badly wounded in close combat, he was lucky enough to be evacuated by plane – right in time to help rebuilding 21st Panzer Division in Northern France.
Hans recounts feverishly waiting for the Allied landing. As it finally came, he saw months of intense fighting, north of Caen, in the Falaise pocket and covering the Wehrmacht`s retreat to the east. Hans` war formally ended in late 1944, when he was taking prisoner and shipped to the USA. However, the war insight him rages on to this very day. He wrote this memoire to come to terms with that time. To give a name to all those soldiers who had died next to him, under his command, or even because of his actions. He hopes that never again shall our children and grandchildren face each other in the trenches – that the bloodshed remains in the past alone.
What awaits the
Never will I forget how my father came home time and again, feeling so ashamed and desperate he did not have the heart to tell my mother that he had lost yet another job. Of course, she would register and start crying. And me, the little nipper, would play around them, anxious to cheer them up. Back then I swore to myself that I would do anything to change these conditions when I grew up.
What had landed on me were the mutilated remains of my sergeant. His right side was unrecognizable. Everywhere blood streamed out of his torn-up body. We had to move away if we wanted to survive. I looked around; we were no more than ten to twelve men. Without further thinking I drew my pistol and yelled “Assault, forward!”
I was rudely awoken by somebody shaking my shoulder. I blinked and looked at my watch; it was just after midnight on 6th June 1944. My trusted runner was standing at my bedside, reporting in a low voice, “Lieutenant, sir, enemy paratroopers have landed along the coast forward of our location.” So, this was it, I thought. The enemy had finally set foot in Normandy.
About the author
Hans Hoeller was born in 1921, in Pottschach, Austria. He served as a tank hunter at Tobruk, Halfaya Pass, Tunisia, Normandy, Falaise and in Eastern France. He was awarded the Iron Cross Class I and II for his actions. After the war, Hans Hoeller became an engineer and had a successful business career.
Hans Hoeller joined the war in 1941 and was trained as a tank hunter. After his first assignment to North Africa he returned to Germany for officer´s training. Once again, he deployed to the desert to take part in the last battles of the Wehrmacht in Tunisia. Badly wounded in close combat, he was lucky enough to be evacuated by plane – right in time to help rebuilding 21st Panzer Division in Northern France.
Hans recounts feverishly waiting for the Allied landing. As it finally came, he saw months of intense fighting, north of Caen, in the Falaise pocket and covering the Wehrmacht`s retreat to the east. Hans` war formally ended in late 1944, when he was taking prisoner and shipped to the USA. However, the war insight him rages on to this very day. He wrote this memoire to come to terms with that time. To give a name to all those soldiers who had died next to him, under his command, or even because of his actions. He hopes that never again shall our children and grandchildren face each other in the trenches – that the bloodshed remains in the past alone.
What awaits the
Never will I forget how my father came home time and again, feeling so ashamed and desperate he did not have the heart to tell my mother that he had lost yet another job. Of course, she would register and start crying. And me, the little nipper, would play around them, anxious to cheer them up. Back then I swore to myself that I would do anything to change these conditions when I grew up.
What had landed on me were the mutilated remains of my sergeant. His right side was unrecognizable. Everywhere blood streamed out of his torn-up body. We had to move away if we wanted to survive. I looked around; we were no more than ten to twelve men. Without further thinking I drew my pistol and yelled “Assault, forward!”
I was rudely awoken by somebody shaking my shoulder. I blinked and looked at my watch; it was just after midnight on 6th June 1944. My trusted runner was standing at my bedside, reporting in a low voice, “Lieutenant, sir, enemy paratroopers have landed along the coast forward of our location.” So, this was it, I thought. The enemy had finally set foot in Normandy.
About the author
Hans Hoeller was born in 1921, in Pottschach, Austria. He served as a tank hunter at Tobruk, Halfaya Pass, Tunisia, Normandy, Falaise and in Eastern France. He was awarded the Iron Cross Class I and II for his actions. After the war, Hans Hoeller became an engineer and had a successful business career.
- GenresHistoryMilitary History
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2022
185 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 18, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book from the Austrian point of view. This was a decent young man who was trying to do what was right. In his mind ,
because of the way Germany was treated after WW1, it was a justified war. It wasn't until after he was a POW in America that he discovered the horrors of the Third Reich. Very interesting to see the thought of a young man on the 'other' side.
because of the way Germany was treated after WW1, it was a justified war. It wasn't until after he was a POW in America that he discovered the horrors of the Third Reich. Very interesting to see the thought of a young man on the 'other' side.
December 8, 2022
Honorable German Soldiers
A little slow in some aspects but this book and “Panzer Ace”are by far the best reads of the German soldier of WW II.
I hope the youth of today 2022 will realize that German had a lot of honorable soldiers in WW II.
Gary J Godfrey
A little slow in some aspects but this book and “Panzer Ace”are by far the best reads of the German soldier of WW II.
I hope the youth of today 2022 will realize that German had a lot of honorable soldiers in WW II.
Gary J Godfrey
August 16, 2022
The German side of WW2
Hoeller gives us a highly intelligent and thorough account of a ground soldiers life facing the allies in this great conflict. A must read for the serious student of WW2, including the African theater.
Hoeller gives us a highly intelligent and thorough account of a ground soldiers life facing the allies in this great conflict. A must read for the serious student of WW2, including the African theater.
November 23, 2022
The German side of the war.
Very good book from a different side of the war. It was very good to hear of the German side of the war. Gives a better perspective of the horrors of war.
Very good book from a different side of the war. It was very good to hear of the German side of the war. Gives a better perspective of the horrors of war.
December 28, 2022
Very interesting read
This was a very interesting read it's good to hear the story from the other side. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read world war 2 autobiographies
This was a very interesting read it's good to hear the story from the other side. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read world war 2 autobiographies
November 13, 2023
A good first hand account of fighting in North Africa and Normandy. Descriptions of the authors final days before being captured as well as his time in captivity make good reading.
February 21, 2023
Valuable memories recollection
Justifying the warriors at field believing their leadership without having knowledge about happening around them. Great description about the valour of warriors without border.
Justifying the warriors at field believing their leadership without having knowledge about happening around them. Great description about the valour of warriors without border.
July 18, 2023
Great book
I enjoy reading the memoirs of World War ll soldiers. This book was particularly enjoyable. Herr Holler managed to take and keep photos of himself and others during his deployments. It was a good read.
I enjoy reading the memoirs of World War ll soldiers. This book was particularly enjoyable. Herr Holler managed to take and keep photos of himself and others during his deployments. It was a good read.
September 21, 2023
Enjoyable read
I have always enjoyed war history and it’s refreshing to read books that describe WW II from the Axis perspective. It puts the conflict in a sharper focus and shows the suffering all soldiers endured.
I have always enjoyed war history and it’s refreshing to read books that describe WW II from the Axis perspective. It puts the conflict in a sharper focus and shows the suffering all soldiers endured.
April 27, 2022
Wonderful book. Finally get to hear about the war from a German prospective and see the humanity on all sides of the war.
July 15, 2022
great read
First person German officer account of WW2. Vivid detail from beginning to capture and POW to return home. A great book.
First person German officer account of WW2. Vivid detail from beginning to capture and POW to return home. A great book.
July 17, 2022
Great book
The author of this book did an outstanding job of writing that brought his experiences to life. This is a work well worth reading.
The author of this book did an outstanding job of writing that brought his experiences to life. This is a work well worth reading.
July 31, 2022
Excellent read
Enjoyed reading about Hans experience during his time in the German army and after the War. Thank you for sharing.
Enjoyed reading about Hans experience during his time in the German army and after the War. Thank you for sharing.
October 24, 2022
well worth the read
Well written account of the war as seen through the german soldiers eyes, extraordinary book and an extraordinary man, highly recommend
Well written account of the war as seen through the german soldiers eyes, extraordinary book and an extraordinary man, highly recommend
November 12, 2022
Interesting book!
Like reading about,"the other side", in WW2!
The more I read, the more I think soldiers on BOTH sides were the same, just different uniforms!
Like reading about,"the other side", in WW2!
The more I read, the more I think soldiers on BOTH sides were the same, just different uniforms!
October 15, 2023
The book is interesting in that German perspectives are relatively rare compared to Western ones and it does provide some unique insights as a result. However, I have a couple of fairly glaring issues with the book:
1) The title is fairly misleading. Though the author did ostensibly lead a small platoon of tank destroyers in Normandy, almost his entire combat experience in Normandy and beyond was in leading small recon patrols and running between various command posts. There is more discussion of infantry combat and leadership throughout the book than there is armor, by a large margin. I believe his tank destroyers only engaged tanks a handful of times in total and according to the book only knocked out a handful of them. Perhaps a more realistic portrayal than those of some of the tank aces of the day, but the title sets it up to be something more grand than it is. There's little technical discussion of armored tactics or tank hunting philosophy, either. About half of the book is over before the author even arrives in Normandy, and prior to that he commanded no armor or anti-tank guns outside of officer training school.
2) He does an awful lot of claiming he only found out things after the war and claiming to be a good, honorable, ignorant German despite joining years in the Hitler Youth and immediately moving to German officer school after that. I think modern historical research has made it such that it's very hard to believe that he knew nothing of any of the things that he hand waves away. In the Falaise Pocket chapter half a page is dedicated to glowing and thorough praise of a Waffen SS division compared to the standard Wehrmacht only for it to weakly end with the author noting that they in fact did a lot of really horrible things but, of course, he "didn't know anything about that". The sheer amount of times this type of language is employed makes it come across more like the author is trying to convince himself of it rather than the reader and overall gives the impression that this memoir of being a bit of a white wash of the times and the author's experience.
3) It's a fairly short book (under 300 pages) despite covering over a decade of life and over four years in active warzones. This results in a very high level account that is often fairly sparse on details. Rarely will there be deeper discussion regarding his though process in decision making as a German officer. There is essentially no technical detail about the weapons or armor, other than brief discussions of the relative ability of some of the guns to penetrate armor. I would have loved to know more about their vehicles, which were exclusively French designs that were converted to German service. What was that process like? What was maintenance of French designs like? The only times great detail were provided were almost exclusively in regards to the effect of artillery shells on the human body. Perhaps I have been spoiled by more verbose offerings prior to this, but this left me wanting a lot more having read it. It provided a new itch rather than scratching the existing one that interested me in it in the first place.
1) The title is fairly misleading. Though the author did ostensibly lead a small platoon of tank destroyers in Normandy, almost his entire combat experience in Normandy and beyond was in leading small recon patrols and running between various command posts. There is more discussion of infantry combat and leadership throughout the book than there is armor, by a large margin. I believe his tank destroyers only engaged tanks a handful of times in total and according to the book only knocked out a handful of them. Perhaps a more realistic portrayal than those of some of the tank aces of the day, but the title sets it up to be something more grand than it is. There's little technical discussion of armored tactics or tank hunting philosophy, either. About half of the book is over before the author even arrives in Normandy, and prior to that he commanded no armor or anti-tank guns outside of officer training school.
2) He does an awful lot of claiming he only found out things after the war and claiming to be a good, honorable, ignorant German despite joining years in the Hitler Youth and immediately moving to German officer school after that. I think modern historical research has made it such that it's very hard to believe that he knew nothing of any of the things that he hand waves away. In the Falaise Pocket chapter half a page is dedicated to glowing and thorough praise of a Waffen SS division compared to the standard Wehrmacht only for it to weakly end with the author noting that they in fact did a lot of really horrible things but, of course, he "didn't know anything about that". The sheer amount of times this type of language is employed makes it come across more like the author is trying to convince himself of it rather than the reader and overall gives the impression that this memoir of being a bit of a white wash of the times and the author's experience.
3) It's a fairly short book (under 300 pages) despite covering over a decade of life and over four years in active warzones. This results in a very high level account that is often fairly sparse on details. Rarely will there be deeper discussion regarding his though process in decision making as a German officer. There is essentially no technical detail about the weapons or armor, other than brief discussions of the relative ability of some of the guns to penetrate armor. I would have loved to know more about their vehicles, which were exclusively French designs that were converted to German service. What was that process like? What was maintenance of French designs like? The only times great detail were provided were almost exclusively in regards to the effect of artillery shells on the human body. Perhaps I have been spoiled by more verbose offerings prior to this, but this left me wanting a lot more having read it. It provided a new itch rather than scratching the existing one that interested me in it in the first place.
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May 6, 2023A very stoic account from the opposition
I really appreciated the flow of the bok and that it did not jump back and forth.
The author clearly experienced some very tragic events but seems to have come to terms with his history.
Their aren't enough books written from the opposing point of view, either they have been written and not published in English or they have not been written, time is running short for all of the WW2 heroes.
Excellent explanation and detail of each account. Could not book the book down.
I really appreciated the flow of the bok and that it did not jump back and forth.
The author clearly experienced some very tragic events but seems to have come to terms with his history.
Their aren't enough books written from the opposing point of view, either they have been written and not published in English or they have not been written, time is running short for all of the WW2 heroes.
Excellent explanation and detail of each account. Could not book the book down.
December 27, 2023
One of the best first hand accounts from the German side of WW2 that I've read. Han Hoeller is unique in the range of his war time experiences, his professionalism as a soldier, and his avid interest in taking photos. In one account, he asked a newly captured British soldier to take a photo of his comrades standing with other recently captured British soldiers. They could have been a bunch of college friends on holiday rather than enemies. Fascinating to look at this personal account. Highly recommend if you're interested in WW2 history, looking in from the other side.
April 4, 2023
Not a good book
I've read several books written by soldiers from the German Army during World War 2and this was the only one I didn't like. The end of the book is good and I don't think I would read another book by this author. This is my opinion, someone else may enjoy this author.
I've read several books written by soldiers from the German Army during World War 2and this was the only one I didn't like. The end of the book is good and I don't think I would read another book by this author. This is my opinion, someone else may enjoy this author.
February 17, 2024
Story Told From The German Side
The book was well written and it clearly describes the German futile attempt to stop the allies at Normandy. I can’t agree with the author of comparing atrocities committed by the allies & Germans as equal. I know of no Malmedy committed by the allies. The millions of Jews killed, there is no comparison!
The book was well written and it clearly describes the German futile attempt to stop the allies at Normandy. I can’t agree with the author of comparing atrocities committed by the allies & Germans as equal. I know of no Malmedy committed by the allies. The millions of Jews killed, there is no comparison!
October 1, 2022
From the other side !
A rare opportunity to travel back in history with an enemy soldier and learn that we are very similar people. And we all desire the best that life can give us.
In
A rare opportunity to travel back in history with an enemy soldier and learn that we are very similar people. And we all desire the best that life can give us.
In
October 12, 2022
Never Again
Let ALL of us learn from this & take it into the future. In the end the soldiers are the one's we should thank & learn from. God Bless them all who suffered then & now today!
Let ALL of us learn from this & take it into the future. In the end the soldiers are the one's we should thank & learn from. God Bless them all who suffered then & now today!
October 20, 2024
beautifully written
I loved reading this account which is indeed thought provoking. The author has a way of capturing the reader and drawing you into the accounts.
I couldn’t put it down.
I loved reading this account which is indeed thought provoking. The author has a way of capturing the reader and drawing you into the accounts.
I couldn’t put it down.
September 11, 2022
Great
Let us all hope and pray to our LORD and Savior that we don't have to relive these horrible times again.
Let us all hope and pray to our LORD and Savior that we don't have to relive these horrible times again.
October 22, 2022
Simply a great read
Kudos to the author... this is a GREAT book! Hopefully we can learn from his insight... and not build any memorials for new war dead.
Kudos to the author... this is a GREAT book! Hopefully we can learn from his insight... and not build any memorials for new war dead.
April 5, 2023
Well worth the Read.
War only benefits those who want it and don't have to fight in it. Active Service Veteran, Northern Ireland 72/73
War only benefits those who want it and don't have to fight in it. Active Service Veteran, Northern Ireland 72/73
August 16, 2023
Great book!
I always enjoy reading stories from all sides of the conflict. I was blessed to have been able to visit Normandy in 2014.
I always enjoy reading stories from all sides of the conflict. I was blessed to have been able to visit Normandy in 2014.
November 20, 2023
A view from the German side.
Very matter of fact, accounting. Like looking through a window at history. A window that allowed an unbiased canvas to be painted.
Very matter of fact, accounting. Like looking through a window at history. A window that allowed an unbiased canvas to be painted.
July 3, 2024
Excellent story about a young man in the German Army. Well written, - easy to read and understand.
February 18, 2025
A veteran recounts of his service during WW II. It displays the suffering on both sides of war and the horror of men in battle with each other. It also shows the respect each of these warriors have for the other long after the bullets have stopped.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews