6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
***** A Must Read For Any Student of History. Compelling, Engrossing, and Educational...
By Dr.M.Lawicki on October 22, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase I became interested in this particular memoir when I learned of the existence of Hans Ulrich Rudel through other books pertaining to the exploits of the Luftwaffe in the Second World War. His career was meteoric to say the least, yet began in a very unorthodox manner when contrasted with the other known Luftwaffe aces. Deemed a slow-learner and a pilot of 'mediocre' abilities by his superiors, the young pilot Rudel was not considered a suitable candidate for a fighter pilot and subsequently assigned to observation and reconnaissance missions at the very beginning of the war. His early career in the Luftwaffe seemed to be characterized by bitterness and strife when dealing with his superiors. The charismatic Rudel was nevertheless determined to make a difference in the war and prove his superiors mistaken in their very low estimation of his abilities. Rudel managed to get himself transferred to dive bombing training in 1940, where he learned to perfect the new military discipline with devastating efficiency. Having discovered his true calling at last, Rudel began immediately to make his presence felt in the German war effort. Rudels remarkable accomplishments came in rapid succession, enabling him to develop a legendary name for himself while imprinting fear into the hearts and minds of his Soviet opponents (much like Baron Manfred Von Richtoffen did in the First World War on the Western Front). Although the point is debatable, it is easy to understand how Hans Ulrich Rudel might be considered the most valuable soldier in the Second World War. In all, he flew over 2,500 combat missions, downed 11 enemy aircraft, destroyed: 519 tanks, 4 armored trains, several bridges, over 1000 trucks and transport vehicles, 70 landing craft, two battle cruisers, a destroyer, and the Soviet Battleship Marat. Is it any wonder that Josef Stalin placed the highest bounty on Rudel's head? On several occasions he landed behind enemy lines to rescue downed airmen from his unit, and on one momentous occasion things went disastrously wrong--but I wont spoil the harrowing story for you, the reader. His accomplishments were so impressive that Hitler himself insisted on creating a new award to distinguish Rudel from all other German military and civilian aces and heroes of the day. Thus, Rudel was the only soldier in Germany to earn 'The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. The book started out a tad slow for my liking, but became a damned good read once Rudel found his true calling in 1940. What fascinated me the most about this book is the sporadic insight we are given into the nature and inner workings of the German military machine and the German High Command itself. I also enjoyed reading about his interactions with the notable personalities of Hermann Goring and Adolf Hitler in particular. One can gather that Hitler held Rudel in very high esteem, since he allowed very few people to publicly disagree with him or express their true thoughts in his presence-- as Rudel often did. To this day, Hans Ulrich Rudel remains the most decorated combat pilot of any nation in the history of warfare. Rudel was, beyond a doubt, one of the toughest, bravest, and most charismatic human beings produced by our species. It is for this reason that I recommend this book regardless of your political or religious affiliation.
Poster Comment:
"[W]e must win the victory over Bolshevism, as otherwise the world will be plunged into an appalling chaos from which there is no way out. Therefore, Bolshevism must be smashed by us, even though for the present the Western Allies refuse to recognize how disastrous is their policy for themselves and the rest of the world."