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

Author: Christine Alexander, Mason Kunze

Narrator: Bruce Mann

Unabridged: 9 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/29/2025


Synopsis

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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by A.L. on April 13, 2015

This book is comprised of three journals written by Hans Roth, a German soldier fighting on the Eastern Front from summer 1941 to late spring 1943. He also fought in France in 1940 and was still in Russia when he disappeared in June 1944, but he didn’t have a journal in France and if he was writing......more

Goodreads review by Brett on July 19, 2025

This was a gripping read. This was not a biographical account (Obedient Unto Death, Für Volk and Führer, Black Edelweiss) with personal background, motivation to join the Wehrmacht or SS, etc. This was strictly a journal of combat action and starting Operation Barbarossa. Gefreiter (Private), and la......more

Goodreads review by Dachokie on August 01, 2011

A Refreshingly Unique Perspective of Germany's War with the Soviet Union ..., March 28, 2011 Sometimes history is presented in such a general manner that end results often overshadow the reality of events that lead to those results; this often leads to misperceptions, dare I say "myths", regarding wh......more

Goodreads review by Jimmie on December 31, 2013

I have read six books dealing with the Eastern Front in World War II. All were either memoirs written after the fact or traditionally researched works. "Eastern Inferno: The Journals of a German Panzerjager on the Eastern Front, 1941-43" by Hans Roth, edited by Alexander Christine and Mason Kunze i......more

Goodreads review by Michael on June 02, 2011

This book is a first hand account by Hans Roth a soldier in the German army sent to the Russian front. It is his Journals he kept during his time on the front, 3 in total. The fact that these were written first hand as he moved and fought in Russia lends to this book the raw power and emotions of li......more