Reading List

and Research Tips

HOPEFULLY, we will soon get this page(s) under control and put some Allied books on it--first things first though...

So, read, enjoy, study. Bis unsere der Sieg ist... Weiß

Individual training and research is very important in reenacting and how good the unit looks and performs depends on each and every member of Groodeutschland. The basic format to start with would be to obtain as many books and videos on the subject as you can find. To add to the written material study the many excellent period photographs of the German Army, as well as the Waffen-SS, and use them to improve your overall impression. Watching original film footage from WWII can also give you a good feel for the war time German Army.

Another good way to improve your impression is to study individuals from other German reenacting units who have refined their impressions. Above all, study this unit manual carefully. A lot of time and effort was spent to produce this guide, all in order to enhance the field impression of the whole unit, and each individual impression is a key factor towards our success.

Reenactor's Reading List

(Click on any underlined title for purchase info.)

The following is a recommended book list for photographic and historical accounts of the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS which will give you a good working knowledge of the uniforms and equipment for our impression:

Fictional Accounts

• The Revolt of Gunner Asch
• Forward, Gunner Asch!
• The Return of Gunner Asch

  by Hans Hellmut Kirst; Pyramid books; Kirst is probably best known for his books Hero in the Tower and Night of the Generals, but the Gunner Asch series of books tells the story of a regular guy trying to do his best to take advantage and survive the system. This series shows that no matter what the uniform may be, a soldier is a soldier! All he wants is a good drink, a good woman, and to get home all in one piece! These books were later made into a couple of movies (both in German, but understandableethey are available), one of these movies is called 08/15 [pronounced Null Acht Fünfzehn") it is the German version of the term "Catch-22" or in otherwords, institutional stupidity] Translated from German.

• The Cross of Iron

  by Willi Heinrich; Bantam, 1956; You saw the movie about Sergeant Steiner, and thought it was good, read the book! A classic!

  

• Crack of Doom

  by Willi Heinrich; Bantam, 1974; The story of a German unit in Russia, caught behind enemy lines, and their attempt to break out.

  

• Mark of Shame

  by Willi Heinrich; Bantam, 1960; The story of a veteran who returns to Germany after seven years in a Russian POW camp. It gives a very good description of life in Germany after the war. A note about Willi Heinrich. He served as an infantry officer in Russia, and became quite acquainted with the look, smell, and sound of military defeat.

  

• A Soldierrs Legacy

  by Heinrich Böll; Originally published in Germany, now published in the US by Knopf Publishing. Heinrich Böll was a German soldier during the war and began writing novels about his experiences after the war. This book is more literary than scholastic in its makeup, but it will give the reader a "feel" for the day-to-day existence of the Landser waiting on the channel coast before the invasion. There are also collections of Böll's short stories, many of which are equally as good, including one story called "The Breadbag."

Hopefully these titles will help to provide needed insight into the life of the German Soldat!

Movies and Videos

There really aren't too many good movies portraying the German soldier. Most movies rely on really stupid stereotypes of the German military, like The Big Red One (not even worth watching for the German scenes) or Battle of the Bulge (even worse).

• The Cross of Iron--This is definitely not the most authentic movie ever made, but we are including it here because it seems to be the standard "gotta watch" for German reenactors. The best use for this film would be to watch it and see how many inaccuracies you could find. On the other hand, it does capture the brutality of the Eastern Front and the overblown aspirations of some members of the German officer corps. The commanding officer in this film suffers from Hals Schmerzen (a sore throat)--he wants the Knight's Cross--his "Cross of Iron." The hero is a combat-hardened NCO named Steiner. Color. [reenactors should not watch this movie more than 4 times a year, nor watch it anytime within two months before an event. reenactors choosing persona names from this movie will be shot!]
• Stalingrad--A recent (1994) German movie. Probably one of the most depressing war movies IIve ever seen. On the other hand, itts a gold mine for German soldier-talk and the kits arennt too bad, either. It also has one of the best anti-tank scenes of any movie.
• Die Brücke--Available from International Historic Films (IHF). This movie was made in Germany in the 1950s and is based on the novel of the same title. Probably the best movie about the German soldier, it chronicles the experiences of seven German youths as they are drafted out of school, are trained, and given a mission to hold a bridge which happens to be in their home town. All original German gear, including MP44s, MG42s, etc. The GI stuff is sort of hoaky, but who cares? Black and white, and German dialog.
• Strafbataillon 999 (Punishment Bataillon 999) West Germany, 19599 Quote from IHF promo for this: "on the Eastern Front in WWII, a German battalion fights Russian soldiers and partisans. This is no ordinary battalion. These soldiers are being punished by the high command for "crimes" like ordering retreats to save men's lives or working too hard to discover an anti-gangrene serum. These men are abused by their commanders, made to dig useless trenches under fire, and sent into a final suicidal mission. Their enemies are everywhere." This film is based on a novel by Heinz G. Konsalik and the script was co-written by him. Itts Eastern Front setting is highly unusual for war films distributed in the US, as is its nightmarish, authentically-detailed view of war. B/W, comes in two versions: #1 is dubbed in English and is shorter (92 minutes) and #2 in German with subtitles and it's longer!! (103 minutes))Guess which one we want you to buy?!
• Männer gegen Panzer! / Pionier Voran!--Another nifty IHF offering, this tape has not one, but two neat training movies. The first, Männer gegen Panzer! is a German training film that shows how to use all the Wehrmachtts anti-tank weapons. Andd they donnt use models, all of these weapons are used for real, on real Soviet tanks! Pionier Voran! is a Pionier training film that shows among other things how a bridge is set-up in combat. This tape is a great 2-for-1 deal, especially for us! B/W.
• The German Sniper. Also from IHF, this is actually a German training movie put on video tape. There is a wealth of field-craft tips in this movie, many of which are applicable to the common infantryman. Black and White, a combination of English dubbing or subtitles, depending on whether the translator thought the German dialog sounded interesting. B/W.
• Invasion of Poland newsreel / movie From IHF--News-movie on the invasion of Poland, showing victorious sweep through this "non-Country." Neat early-war footage.
• Sieg im Westen--From IHF. Sieg im Westen (Victory in the West) was a German propaganda film, made to show the "glorious" conquest of France. Great footage, but this movie drags on (and on). It's best to watch Sieg im Westen with a few Kameraden and Bier or in a couple of sittings. B/W.
• Die Wochenschau newsreels--From (of course) IHF. Weekly German newsreels on tape, usually three or so to a tape. Very intersting footage, for the most part not usually seen here in America.
• A Bridge Too Far. The biggest and most expensive war movie ever made. There are several good German scenes, including the one showing a German strongpoint in the woods as it attempts to stop a British armored column. Color.
• The Longest Day. The invasion of Normandy as told by Hollywood! A huge amount of famous actors (many in bit parts). For example, John Wayne is, of course, an American Airborne Colonel. This movie is neat because the Germans are actually speaking German and the uniforms are good. Unfortunately, (and as usual) Hollywood has taken license with many of the details. But what the heck, it's a good flick. Black and white.
• Decision Before Dawn. Not a commonly shown movie, and we have no idea whether it is even out on video tape. An excellent film, absolutely packed with original kit.
• Europa, Europa. An interesting but quirky [very quirky!] movie which revolves around a Jewish boy who ends up in the Wehrmacht. The actual military scenes are limited but the movie is worth watching. German dialog, English subtitles. Color.