- Panzergrenadier Aces

After having ordered several titles from the Stackpole Military History Series I have found each of them very interesting and well worth the investment. Especially this author in the series, Franz Kurowski, gives the reader the feeling of "being there." Each volume gives the reader several engaging and exciting personal stories that enthusiasts like me are able to live the story through the lives of these brave, dedicated and very resourceful soldiers. I highly recommend this volume by Kurowski and, so far, all volumes in this series.

In the tradition of the author's other Aces books, this gives a useful perspective of the German side. This book's focus is on the Panzergrenadier battalions of the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions of the German army during the Second World War. Mostly anecdotal by nature, the book is a good read. This is not meant to be a scholarly work, but more a collection of war records of different individuals who received recognition for their bravery and leadership.

It has been difficult to write about WW II from the German point of view. Kurowski and his books were under constant pressure of critics and unofficial but brutal censorship even before the books to be out of his desk. He sacrifices some of the convictions and direction of thoughts of his characters. Because of that the whole book is somewhat looking like some sort of calamity between mechanic robots moved by the motivation of their duty and crazy berserkers. Time to time all is looking dry and spurious patches from newspapers. In first glance, the real spirit of the third Reich is distorted to the level of absence or even worse... to the level of contemporary visions of the war. However, Kurovski has his ways and for the dedicated, readers can be revealed the events concealed in words behind the words. And I give him my respect for his mastery in that concealing. The book is not simple boom-boom comics but something deep and serious as WW-II.

Once again Franz Kurowski gives us an intimate look into some of the soldiers of WW II. Learn more about the tactics and trials of the soldiers of the German Army in WWII. I feel these books are very helpful in giving a rounded account of the war.

This book is similar, but shorter than the others previously published by the author. The stories of eleven German Knight's Cross awardees is presented. Each chapter starts with a first hand account of a battle, then a brief summary of the soldier's background, and then into accounts of their experiences in combat. Each chapter is very short, from 16 to 27 pages, providing a quick glimpse into each soldier's experience. Not as detailed in Infantry Aces I and II or Panzer Aces I and II. The introduction is interesting to read on the formation of the Panzer Grenadiers along with their expected lifespan in combat. For a platoon leader, it was seven days. There are also many interesting photos of the different vehicles and weapons used by there German Army in World War Two. Appendix B provides a listing of the unit formations that formed each significant Panzer Grenadier formation. This is very helpful for those who play miniature wargames and want to re-create accurate scenarios or campaigns. What is interesting about each of their experiences is how they were successful in battle when combined arms were used. Tanks with mechanized infantry, supported by artillery and engineers in their "fighting groups", gave them the combat power and flexibility to defeat more numerous Russians, who initially had better armored and larger caliber guns on their tanks (T-34 and KV-1). When combined arms were lacking, operations were much less successful. What the book lacks is explaining how each unit performed their refit and training back into a combat effective formation. The book does describe how depleted and devastated formations were pulled form Russia and sent to France and Italy to reconstitute and refit prior to being sent back into Russia. Learning how the Germans (the officers and sergeants) performed their unit training (if training maneuvers of regimental size were performed) would help explain how their staffs and units gained proficiency and cohesiveness to endure the high attrition rates. Did find Chapter 10 very interesting on how an anti-tank gunner managed to survive so many engagements and wounds. Details of how he endured multiple wounds while the rest of his crew fell under the deadly tank and machine gun fire is truly remarkable. Somehow, this soldier was able to engage and destroy multiple tanks and anti-tank guns in those engagements. One interesting note from the different chapters is that weapons malfunctions and jams are described and recollected. Things went wrong in combat, from broken extractor pins to misfires. Another point of interest was how the German light machine gun was the prime weapon that allowed them to drive to ground the attacking Russian infantry. Once the trailing infantry screen was eliminated, the Grenadiers were able to close assault Russian tanks with mines and satchel charges. Overall, this is another solid book. However, am not sure if the cost versus the brief chapters is worth the purchase for most readers. Many might be satisfied to simply borrow from a library instead.

I liked these books. Just like the panzer aces, infantry aces, and Luftwaffe aces you get surprisingly detailed sketches on a number of individuals. I enjoy these type of books versus a full book on one soldier because you are not presented with some of the non action filler needed to make a full book. You are presented with the important combat actions of the soldiers and the stories always seem to emphasize the point that quick device action with rapid fire power and fewer men often trumps more indecisive action by more soldiers.

The author knows of which he writes as he was a PK correspondent during the war. Can't get any closer than that.

I'd buy anything by Franz Kurowski

Being a german,but from a French,british,american ,Viking,and or course german family,I am very interested in military warfare.This book is a very indepth look into the makeup of the military machine. Although a blinkered look,for it does not Tell any of the readers the atrocities that the panzer members commited all in the name of hitler.Such as the massacre of the french village of Oradour-Sur-Glane,by the panzer group Das Reich.When writing a history of these units one must also write the worst of them as well as the good. If indeed there were any good among the Panzers!! The Kindle copy of this book was very quick,and readable.

Happy with book

A good book that gives the German experience of the second world war from first had accounts well worth having

excellant could not fault it

Great detailed accounts