The Other Trench: The WW1 Diary and Photos of a German Officer

by Alexander Pfeifer, Philipp Cross

Overview

"This diary is not just a recollection of experiences written after the war, but literally the experiences I wrote down every day. They are therefore a genuine reflection of the heavy fighting against the enemy and nature that the Kurhessian Jäger Battalion (Marburg), and especially my company and I, had to endure. Particularly at the beginning, there are a lot of things that I might not have written or at least later expressed differently as an experienced fighter of the Front. However, I have intentionally changed nothing, as these reports are intended to reflect my true feelings at the time."

From the trenches in France, to the mountains of Eastern Europe and the landscapes of Italy; step into the life of Alexander Pfeifer, a company commander within one of the most prestigious and utilised battalions of the Imperial German Army. Covering over 4 full years of continuous tough combat and service, 'The Other Trench' offers one of the most visual, touching, and brutal accounts of the Great War through his many photographs, authentic diary, and connections to people and the world we live in today. Co-authored by his English great-great-grandson, this book also offers narrations, research, and stories that intertwine the past with the present. It brings a chronicle and an interesting family history to life, as well as fully shedding light on the German perspective, but also that of the opposing sides during the war. The authenticity of this diary provides a unique insight into the life of an ordinary soldier during this era, all while completely elevating the reader's understanding of what was witnessed to the next level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781068609824
Publisher:	True Perspective Press
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Pages:	348
Sales rank:	402,240
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Alexander Pfeifer (1880 - 1966) originated from Weida, Germany, having derived from a wealthy family of textile manufacturers. He joined the German 12th Royal Saxon Jaeger Battalion at the age of 20 and reached the rank of sergeant after four years, later becoming a reserve. In 1914, he was called up for military service and became a highly decorated company commander within the 11th Kurhessian Jaeger Battalion, taking part in four years of war on the Western, Eastern, and Italian Fronts. He is the author and photographer of his very detailed wartime diary and photo collection, which are depicted in the book, 'The Other Trench'. After the war, Alexander became a family man. He also managed his family's textile business, and after his death, his wartime diary and recollections were passed on to his descendants and remain preserved to this day.

Philipp Cross is the co-author, translator, and editor of the book, 'The Other Trench'. He is the great-great-grandson of Alexander Pfeifer, the primary author and highly decorated German veteran of the Great War, whose war diaries this book is based on. Philipp was born in Germany to an English father and a German mother, and he grew up in Lancashire, England, where he lives to this day. Having always been interested in history, which stemmed from his family's unique origins and inheritances, he enjoys genealogy research, writing, coin collecting and metal detecting. As well as being a husband, he has a degree in Exercise & Nutrition and also has a background in music, bodybuilding, and health and fitness.