| Synopsis: |
Thanks to an exciting collection of testimonies and numerous photographs of former soldiers of the "LSSAH" division, the German author Thomas Fischer, guides us through the highly unknown universe of the artillery of the 1st division of the Waffen SS. The world of the Artilleristen is just as exciting as the Panzers or the Grenadiere. Readers will find excitement in the topics of observation, shooting direction, deployment of parts, preparation of shells and the "intimate" or even "affective" relationship of the Kanonier with his cannon or his Howitzer. East Prussian Gustav Mertsch "Spartan," was an artilleryman of the first hour and an extremely strict trooper. Not only did he have to engage its parts from the rear, in a curved shot, but also often in direct fire, shooting some targets at close range. In some combats, especially in the east, the gunners would use their Karabiner so they could approach the enemy by surprise. Through this work, the reader will be able to grasp the crucial importance of artillery, both in defense and in attack, during the short Balkan Campaign of Spring 1941 and during the trying months spent in the immensity of the Front de l'East. Gustav Mertsch, who was seriously wounded in Normandy, was withdrawn from the so-called "Invasions Front" and would not return to the Leibstandarte. After the war, he settled in Hanover. Conscious of having been a very rough Kommandeur, Mertsch would prefer to avoid contact with his former soldiers of the Artillery-LAH. Text in French. |