Büch, Helmut In 80 Nahkampftagen... Als Kradschütze in der SS-"Totenkopf"-Division

Due to the overwhelming enemy superiority, a special type of soldier emerged on the German side in the Second World War: the lone fighter. Highly motivated, optimally trained and experienced in combat, he achieved extraordinary successes in small groups or on his own, which are unparalleled in military history. One of these men was Helmut Büch. In his memoirs, Büch, who was born in Saarbrücken, describes his service in the 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf", where he served as a gunner and platoon leader of a Schwimmwagen platoon.

Starting with the Western campaign in 1940, the reader follows him to Russia in 1941, where Büch fought in the front line - interrupted only by wounds - until late autumn 1943. He experienced the horrors and hardships of war first-hand. After more than 80 confirmed days of close combat, Büch received the infantryman's highest award: the Close Combat Badge in Gold. At the same time, he was promoted to SS-Untersturmführer. In addition, he was awarded both Iron Crosses, the Wounded Badge in Gold, the Tank Destruction Badge and the German Cross in Gold. A straightforward, extremely excitingly written book by a front-line soldier who describes the war from the focal points of the fighting.