Kesting, Werner Vom Messdiener zum "NS-Führungsoffizier"

In his autobiography, Werner Kesting documents his life from his childhood in Krefeld to his time as an officer in the Second World War. It is a personal account that offers insights into the challenges and decisions faced by an entire generation. Werner Kesting, born in 1922, gives an impressive account of his early years: his childhood in a large family, his school days at a humanistic grammar school, his A-levels and his conscription into the Wehrmacht in 1942. As a long-range reconnaissance pilot in the Luftwaffe and later as a lieutenant, he experienced the formative period of the Second World War, followed by captivity as a prisoner of war. After his release, he found his way into public service and built a new life for himself. How does Kesting explain the decisions he made in his youth, and what lessons does he draw from the events of those formative years? Vom Messdiener zum NS-Führungsoffizier (From Altar Boy to NS Leadership Officer) provides a precise and fact-filled account of the first 23 years of Werner Kesting's life. As a contemporary witness, he offers a well-founded insight into the social and political structures of the time. His descriptions are characterised by an extraordinary attention to detail, which makes the book a valuable resource for those interested in history. Kesting presents his memories without judgement or embellishment, thus enabling an objective examination of a complex life story.