Description

In 1941, a 20-year-old man from the Leipzig area switched from a locksmith’s shop to the workshop of war. He repaired motorcycles, trucks, tanks, and other vehicles. As diligent as Schwejk, he did this to avoid he frontline duty. His repair-unit reached almost Moscow, but was sent to France for »refresher training« in 1942, then transferred to the south of the country, with a private detour to Spain. Back on the Eastern Front, Otto Ritter was fortunate enough to be stopped just before Stalingrad. The retreat followed – through Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, East and West Prussia, Denmark, Holstein, and finally to Brandenburg. During this time, his doubts grew, his frustration increased, and so did his hope that it would all soon be over. As a motorcyclist, he takes certain liberties, and after the Americans reach his home village, he deserts – goes on a »spring hike without orders« with a comrade, starting end of April 1945. They make their way through, and eventually, our protagonist, »as bold as brass«, denies his military service. Thus, he is fortunate enough to avoid capture and be able to embrace his girlfriend at home.

The love letters to her and surviving diary entries form the basis of his chronicle.

2026, 248 pages, hardcover, 45 illustrations b/w, 17 x 24 cm;
ISBN: 978-3-938533-78-9