 |
Description of the Book: Sniper Ace: From the Eastern Front to Siberia
For Advertisment
Throughout World War II, German snipers were obliged to carry a 'Scharfshutzen Buch' which recorded every kill. Each success noted had to be verified by a witness and signed by a superior officer.The journal of Sutkus is one of only a few such books to have survived the war. It records more than 200 kills, placing him as one of the war's most successful snipers. A large part of his journal is reproduced for the first time here.As a Hitler Youth member his skill as a marksman was quickly noted and, in July 1943, aged 19, he was drafted into the Wehrmacht. A month later he was sent on a five month sniper's course in Wilna, after which he was posted to the Eastern Front. He was so successful that his superiors sent him to crucial positions. Despite his age, he was regarded as one of Germany's best snipers and in November 1944 he was awarded the Scharfshutzenabzeichen 3 Stufe - the highest award for a sniper.After being wounded in January 1945, Sutkus was given time to recuperate away from the Eastern Front. During this time he met a Red Cross nurse, to whom he gave all his journal.When the war finished, Sutkus was forced to join the Red Army. He deserted to join the Lithuanian resistance fighters. After being captured again he was tortured by the KGB and deported to Siberia to endure forced labor. It was not until the collapse of the Soviet Union that he was able return to Germany and find his journal, still in the hands of the same nurse.Introduction written by David L. Robbins. REVIEWS ŒAs a sniper myself for many years I have always sought to learn from those who went before me, from all countries. This book provides a unique and fascinating in-depth look at the day to day life of an operational sniper.For many years the skill and the bravery of the Wehrmacht sniper has gone unrecorded. With this book we see inside his experiences for the first time and it is a read that I would strongly recommend to any current sniper. A truly fascinating look at the trials and tribulations of one mans war when the world was at war around him. Mark Spicer, author of the Illustrated Manual of Sniper Skills"It's extremely rare to find a first-hand account by one of Germany's most accomplished World War II snipers but rarer yet, this memoir incorporates his actual wartime shooting logbook, documenting 207 kills. Fascinating and tragic, especially the post-war decades he spent in the Soviet gulag."Major John L. Plaster, U.S. Army Special Forces, author, 'The Ultimate Sniper' and 'The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting.'"The best first-person German sniper account of World War Two I have read, well documented and illustrated, a fascinating story"- Tim Newark, editor, Military Illustrated magazine
|
|
Details of the Book: Sniper Ace: From the Eastern Front to SiberiaAuthor: Bruno Sutkus Number Of Pages: 256 Binding: Hardcover ISBN-10: 1846033845 ISBN-13: 9781848325487 Language: English Amazon Sales Rank: 81038 Publication Date: 2009 Publisher: Frontline Books Package Dimensions: 1.02 x 9.21 x 6.14 inches |
Related KeywordsFirst World War War & defence operations First World War, 1914-1918 History History - Military / War Military Europe - Germany HISTORY / Europe / Germany History / Military / World War II Military - Veterans Military - World War II Diaries Germany Personal narratives, German Snipers World War, 1939-1945 Military History |
|
|
|
Contact