Eastern Inferno

The Journals of a German Panzerjäger on the Eastern Front, 1941–43

By: Mason Kunze - editor, Christine Alexander - editor

Narrated by: Bruce Mann

This book presents the remarkable personal journals of German soldier Hans Roth. Writing as events transpired, he recorded the mystery and tension as the Germans deployed on the Soviet frontier in June 1941. In these journals, battles are described in "you are there" detail, as Roth wrote privately, as if to keep himself sane, knowing that his honest accounts of the horrors in the East could never pass through Wehrmacht censors. When the Soviet counteroffensive of winter 1942 begins, his unit is stationed alongside the Italian 8th Army, and his observations of its collapse, as opposed to the reaction of the German troops sent to stiffen its front, are of special fascination.

Roth's three journals were discovered many years after his disappearance, tucked away in the home of his brother, with whom he was known to have had a deep bond. After his brother's death, his family discovered them and quickly sent them to Rosel, Roth's wife. In time, Rosel handed down the journals to Erika, Roth's only daughter, who had immigrated to America. Hans Roth was doubtlessly working on a fourth journal before he was reported missing in action in July 1944 during the battle known as the Destruction of Army Group Center. Although Roth's ultimate fate remains unknown, what he did leave behind is an incredible firsthand account of the horrific war the Germans waged in Russia.

©2010 Christine Alexander and Mason Kunze (P)2025 Tantor Media

incredible first person comat narrative

Remarkable descriptive narrative by a dedicated soldier of the horror of war. His ability to write in such great detail under brutal conditions is remarkable.

Invaluable insights of an eastern front landser

I had very high hopes for this book, I say “book, but it is more of a collection of documentation of the day-to-day fighting of a German soldier on the eastern front. It is invaluable information of what was experienced on the ground. That said, it tends to drag on because it is not necessarily a book, but more of a collection of. I guess what was a diary of sorts. I will give it some time and listen to it again because it is filled with lots of interesting information.