Table of Contents
Introduction vii
Chapter 1
Thoughts of a General at the Beginning of the War with Russia 1
The First Step on a Long Journey 5
The Leap across the Bug 11
The Tank Engagement at Raziechow 14
Chapter 2
The Assault of the 4. Panzer-Division from Gluchow to Orel 31
The Duel along the Krassnaja Metscha 43
Every Man for Himself 46
Knocked Out at Fifty Below 51
Chapter 3
When Ivan Came Out of the Cold 61
The Wolves Are Coming: A Portrait of Russia in Winter 64
The Major Setback: Advance to Sixty Kilometers South of Moscow 69
Attacking Chatkowo in Ice and Snow 80
Chapter 4
Tracks in the Snow: A Story of an Unforgettable Encounter 99
With the 9. Panzer-Division on the Central Front 103
Chapter 5
A Glance Back in Poetry 135
The Final Fighting of the 16. Panzer-Division in the Stalingrad Pocket 140
Chapter 6
Hannes, a Driver 165
Partisans: A Story of Coexistence 167
The Unlucky Ones: An Inglorious Tank Story 171
Operation Citadel as Experienced from Hill 238.1 175
Chapter 7
Encircled 187
With the 4. Panzer-Division from the Oka to the Beresina 191
Chapter 8
Egg Diving at Slonim 223
A Short Love Story 225
Wounded in Rutland 227
Dangerous "Sleepwalking" in Kurland 230
Chapter 9
Tank Attack on Blondmin 239
A Lot of Luck and a Jagdpanther 244
Chapter 10
Alpine Rose, Over! 251
Chapter 11
Write Your Wills, Comrades! 263
The Boulder 266
Chapter 12
Danzig 273
Chapter 13
The General 283
The Withdrawal from Danzig 286
Babylon in the Vistula Lowlands 289
Chapter 14
Race to the Water 295
When All Hope Died 299
A Trip into the Past 303
Appendix A Rank Table 321
Appendix B 4. Panzer-Division Order of Battle 323
Appendix C 9. Panzer-Division Order of Battle 327
Appendix D 11. Panzer-Division Order of Battle 331
Appendix E 16. Panzer-Division Order of Battle 335
Appendix F 18. Panzer-Division Order of Battle 339
