Afheldt, Eckart Memoiren 1921-1996

General Eckart Afheldt, who was known throughout the Bundeswehr, was famous for his outspoken manner and for saying what he thought. He did not mince his words. And he did not do so in his memoirs either. His character studies of superiors in the Bundeswehr are highly interesting and even allies get their comeuppance: "They say the Yanks are a bit stupid, but the Russians, they were and are even more stupid". The general tells the story of his life in a lively, fresh and cheeky way.

As an ensign and squad leader with Infantry Regiment 21, he took part in the Western campaign. He entered war school and after being promoted to lieutenant in January 1941, he was transferred to Infantry Regiment 213. With this regiment he was deployed as a platoon leader in the Balkans and in Southern Russia. From August 1941 he served for a year in the Infantry Training Battalion in Döberitz, then, until May 1943, again with Infantry Regiment 213, from January 1943 as First Lieutenant and Company Commander. The year 1943 saw him as Head of Department (now Head of Lecture Hall) at School III for Infantry Flag Guards in Potsdam. After the attempted coup against Hitler, which he witnessed on the sidelines, he was transferred at his own request to the legendary "Brandenburg" division, where he "very soon realised that this association was right for me". Here he was used as a company commander, and in 1945 as a battalion commander during the heavy retreat fighting in East Prussia. On 17 March 1945 he was awarded the Knight's Cross for his exceptionally successful leadership of the battalion and promoted to Captain.