Hunt, Vincent Escape from Berlin

The Incredible Journey of the Latvian 15th SS Janums Battle Group April 1945

On 27 April 1945, an hour past midnight, 850 men of the Latvian 15th SS Division surrendered to American troops at Güterglück. They reached the Elbe River, south of Berlin, a week after abandoning their positions southeast of the city. Defending Hitler's capital meant certain death: deserting was perilous, and to survive they had to evade German patrols and Red Army tanks. The river meant survival. While work on this book uncovered a remarkable film of the Latvians that day, the stills reproduced here show the relief etched on their faces. Now, for the first time, their thrilling story can be told in English through the diary of the regiment's adjutant, Lieutenant Edvins Busmanis. The Busmanis Diary is a thrilling, gripping and wonderfully eloquent account that reveals the drama and details of their incredible escape and their will to survive. Eighty years later, the author follows her journey to the banks of the river through the sunflower fields and small villages in the countryside of Brandenburg. His new research in a modern landscape brings to life this almost unknown story of daring, determination and the will to live.