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Fur Volk and Fuhrer
- The Memoir of a Veteran of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
- Narrated by: James Foster
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
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Fur Volk and Fuhrer
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Summary
Like many Germans, Berlin schoolboy Erwin Bartmann fell under the spell of the Zeitgeist cultivated by the Nazis. Convinced he was growing up in the best country in the world, he dreamt of joining the Leibstandarte, Hitler's elite Waffen SS unit. Tall, blond, blue-eyed, and just 17-years-old, Erwin fulfilled his dream on Mayday 1941, when he gave up his apprenticeship at the Glaser bakery in Memeler Strasse and walked into the Lichterfelde barracks in Berlin as a raw, volunteer recruit.
On arrival at the Eastern Front in late summer 1941, Erwin was assigned to a frontline communications squad and soon discovered that survival was a matter of luck - or the protection of a guardian angel. Good fortune finally deserted Erwin on 11 July 1943 when shrapnel sizzled through his lung during the epic Battle of Kursk-Prokhorovka. Following a period of recovery, and promotion to Unterscharführer, Erwin took up a post as machine-gun instructor with the Ausbildung und Ersatz Bataillon.
From the war on the southern sector of the Eastern Front to a bomb-shattered Berlin populated largely by old men and demoralized lonely women, this candid eyewitness account offers a unique and sometimes surprising perspective on the life of a young Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler volunteer.
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What listeners say about Fur Volk and Fuhrer
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Roo
- 19-11-17
WW2 The tragedy of the 20th Century
I like the story of an ordinary person caught up in world shattering events.
For the lower classes, whether your master be a facist or a communist, the outcome is just the same.........
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Deano 462
- 30-03-22
Excellent listen
I have read/listened to many books on the Second World War but you can’t get a more accurate picture than a first hand account of someone who was actually there. I struggled during the chapters when Erwin is on the Eastern front in regards to knowing what the date was on each chapter and keeping up with the characters. That said I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it went into great detail on what life was like for German soldiers as well as German civilians during the downfall of the Reich. I would have liked a bit more on Erwins life after the War. Need to find more books like this!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jim JAMES
- 07-05-17
Captivating
This was my first foray with an audio book. I enjoy seeing the Second World War from the German perspective. The content and delivery was excellent. I would recommend this book.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Wulfen
- 07-12-17
Excellent account
Excellent candid and honest account of SS LAH veteran, recommend to anyone with an interest in WW2 as such accounts are quite rare.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- john mcaleer
- 19-10-20
Enlightening read
Incredible first hand account , blowing apart the accepted truth of the SS . Sheds light on the different functions within the organisation , and the surprising humanity within . Interesting perspective on the changing attitudes within German society as defeat looms.
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- I 'ate you, Butler...
- 15-03-24
Very interesting
A great insight into the horrors of war. Hard to stop listening once begun. Highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ilona
- 05-12-20
Enjoyable
Enjoyable and interesting audiobook. The mispronunciation of many German words
and names by the narrator is distracting though.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- mr l a ellitts
- 03-05-18
a wonderful book
a wonderful book and a deep insight into the lives of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler when in combat. the epilogue is one of the best I've heard. a highly recommended book.
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- petar gemovic
- 25-09-19
An amazing account of history first hand
A gripping and amazing account of this mans story, you wont regret taking the time to listen to it. Its one thing to learn about all of this, another to hear it from someone who lived it.
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- Tom
- 01-03-24
A must read for any WW2 enthusiasts looking to learn more about the eastern front.
One of the greatest insights into the war I’ve ever heard. Gives a perspective that is not often spoken about and an insight into the thoughts of an elite soldier on the German side of the story.
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