Panzer Ace: The Memoirs of an Iron Cross Panzer Commander from Barbarossa to Normandy

by Richard Freiherr von Rosen, Robert Forczyk (Foreword by)

Overview

Richard Freiherr von Rosen was a highly decorated Wehrmacht soldier and outstanding panzer commander. His memoirs are richly illustrated with contemporary photographs, including key confrontations of World War II.

After serving as a gunlayer on a Pz.Mk.III during Barbarossa, he led a Company of Tigers at Kursk. Later he led a company of King Tiger panzers at Normandy and in late 1944 commanded a battle group (12 King Tigers and a flak Company) against the Russians in Hungary in the rank of junior, later senior lieutenant (from November 1944, his final rank.) 

Only 489 of these King Tiger tanks were ever built. They were the most powerful heavy tanks to see service, and only one kind of shell could penetrate their armor at a reasonable distance.

Every effort had to be made to retrieve any of them bogged down or otherwise immobilized, which led to many towing adventures. The author has a fine memory and eye for detail. His account is easy to read and not technical, and adds substantially to the knowledge of how the German Panzer Arm operated in the Second World War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784382667
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	02/23/2018
Pages:	408
Sales rank:	932,514
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Richard Freiherr von Rosen served as a gunlayer on a Panzer tank during Operation Barbarossa; led a company of Tigers at Kursk; a company of King Tiger panzers at Normandy and in late 1944 commanded a battle group against the Russians in Hungary. He was awarded the Iron Cross Class I and II; the German Cross in Gold being the highest Wehrmacht award for bravery, awarded on 28 February 1945; the Panzer Combat Badge II Grade and the Wound Badge in Gold.

Table of Contents

Translator's Note vii

Foreword Robert Forczyk ix

Author's Foreword xiii

1 The Second World War Begins 1

2 On the Eastern Front (June-August 1941) 30

3 My Quiet Time in the Reich (February 1942-January 1943) 129

4 Back to Russia (January-May 1943) 149

5 Operation Zitadelle (June-July 1943) 193

6 The Invasion Front, 1944 227

7 Operation Goodwood 245

8 At Sennelager Camp (September-October 1944) 280

9 The Collapse, 1944-1945 293

10 Military Hospital and the End of the War (February-July 1945) 353

11 Home Again 371

12 A Prisoner of the French 379

Epilogue 385

Richard Freiherr von Rosen - Military Career 387

Thanksgiving 389

Editorial Reviews

This book will make for an excellent read for those that enjoy memoirs of soldiers exploits on the battlefield and there time in World War Two. Tons of pictures of various Panzers and other German military vehicles and equipment that will sure to please the modeller. Recommended

InScale

"...unequivocally the best, most honest, and riveting memoir from the German-side of World War II tank life, tank fighting, and tank survival ever written."

ARGunners.com