Rating: 
Summary: A "must read" for anyone interested in World War II Germany
Review: This balanced and thoughtful account of a career Panzer officer's life before, during and after World War II is hard to put down. From the invasion of Poland in 1939 to the fall of Germany in 1945, Colonel Von Luck was in the thick of things throughout World War II. His determination to marry his fiance, who was Jewish, gave me some interesting insights into everyday German life under the Nazis, and his discussions of the numerous battles that he was involved with- the invasion of Poland, France, Russia, Service in The Afrika Corps, the defense of Normany (!!) during D-Day and his capture on the Eastern front-- were straightforward but very interesting to the non-technical reader. A highly decorated career officer, he ended up as a common laborer in a Russian labor camp and was discharged seven years after the end of World War II.After reading this book I have placed it on the top of my list of "must reads" for anyone interested in pre-World War II and World War II Germany. Von Luck's story is all the more incredible because it's true.
Rating:
Summary: It discusses not only the war, but experiances of the times
Review: I have read another panzer book, "Panzer Battles" and this is similar, but is intereseing in its own way. if your looking to learn about the tactics and outcomes of the German operations in World War Two, "Panzer Commander" is an O.K. book, but "Panzer Battles" focuses more on what I just stated. tells the World War II in a different, more personal way. This explains how it was to not only endure the terrible war, but how life was shortly before and after the war. He discusses his early respect for Hitler in 1939, but how Hitler eventually caused the utter defeat of Germany and the consequenses its people were to endure during the Cold War Era. More importantly, Hans von Luck discusses his compassion for his comrades-in-arms, and his respect for his enemies. He makes it clear that you can not judge people because of race, religion, or nationality, but must appreciate the person for who they are. Hans von Luck was apart of the Greatest ! ! conflict in history, and he knows that we can not make the same mistake again.
Rating: 
Summary: Ceremony in Memory of Battle of Rittershoffen and Hatten, Fr
Review: Dear Reader:
At the 1990 Anniversary Ceremonies in "Memory of the Dead Soldiers, both American and German, and the hundred of French Civilians who died during the terrifying 12 day collision of Tank and Infantry Forces during the Battle at the "Twin Villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen, France"; the Veterans of the brave U.S 14th Armored, who fought together with fellow Veterans of the Brave 315th Infantry Regiment of the 79th Infantry Division and the Brave but green and untested 1st Battalion of the 242nd Infantry Regiment and some Brave elements of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions also of the same regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division that also somehow survived the ferocious battle, despite the controversial premature withdrawal of the 242nd Regiment's 2nd and 3rd battalions, despite orders to the contrary, on night of January 10-11, 1945. And other Brave elements that "fought in Hatten and Rittershoffen there so long ago - but not so far away. . ."
At the Commeration of the Battle of the Twin Villages, the American Soldiers met with their former enemies of the German 21st Armored, 25th Armored Infantry, and elements of the 7th Parachute and 47th Infantry Divisions during that fearsome the collision of Tank and Infantry Units of these Twin Villages of Alsace (France); on the approaches to Hagenau and Strasbourg 10 miles West of the Upper Rhine River in that bitter winter of 1944-45 (January 9-21, 1945).
The late Author of this book "Panzer Commander", gave a beautiful speech in "Rememberance of All the Dead Soldiers, on both sides, and Civilians, that did not survive the 12-Day terrifying Battle in this corner Northeastern, France still haunted.
Regardless, the ahead of his time, Colonel Von Luck told me that Sovereign Nations should remain sovereign and in His speech expressed earlier conveyed his conviction held by all Nations should always maintain at peace.
Although, in his book, the author recounts a lot of his life; including his young life and the fighting in Poland, France, Belgium, Russia, North Africa and his POW life in Russia, where he learned some of the Russian language, his sadness at learning upon returning to Germany that his first love, Dagmer, a television personality had passed away in a car accident. His life as a hotel employee and then as a coffee store owner.
All Veterans of many Ceremonies by all units, of both sides, held at Hatten and Rittershoffen, including the Official French Commerations; like our 2 bus battlefield tour of perhaps of around 75 people that attended in 1990 certainly as in all personal narratives of soldier give a more balanced understanding of this book.
And left us all surprised that this historically forgotten battle is like all battles certainly remembered vividly by those who fought and died there in that Dark Winter of 1944-45, who now desire World Peace but have or someday will all one day "pass into Eternity, perhaps with some of their final thoughts drifting back to those old battlefields of World War II."
Rating:
Summary: An important insight of WWII from a German officer
Review: This is a sobering account by a well-bred German officer of his WWII experiences and, at the very end of the war, an account of capture by the Soviets and five years of captivity in Russia. There is little doubt from von Luck's account that he is of the old school, born into a well-off family of Prussian militarists, and one who was a professional and a "gentleman" in his treatment of his men and of those he conquered. Von Luck makes it clear in the beginning that the failure of the German officer corps to oppose Hitler was the oath all had taken to defend the fatherland and its leader, Adolph Hitler. He doesn't dwell, in fact does not mention, the attempted coup in the summer of 1944; he seems, as most German officers apparently felt, that once the famous oath was taken, nothing could be done to remove the "corporal" from power. Obviously, the immense power of Hitler's SS and other units were enough to cause one pause; but still, a few Germans did. Von Luck was not one of them.The book is not one of military tactics, maps, or reviews of grand strategy. It is a very personal account with only sketchy links to the overall war. Some may find this disappointing. I didn't, because I was more interested in von Luck's own reactions and they are often more important than battle details. Von Luck occasionally is reflective, but most of the time it is his story of war, a job to be done, a job to be done efficiently and well. He holds no grudges against those he conquers, and because of his linguistic fluency makes friends with former enemies. But it was troubling to me to see no reflection or regret, for example, after the brief Poland campaign. Von Luck's unit returns to their base in Germany where they are lustily cheered and feted as heroes. No thought here of what was done, namely the destruction and occupation of Poland, which afterall was hardly an enemy, but only the satisfaction of victorious soldiers and of the booty obtained. This is true also of von Luck's time in France, where he establishes genuine friendships with the French and builds up his wine collection. Again little contemplation on what this meant, only, it seems, that the orders were to attack France--and to carry out the mission successfully. From his account and the testimony of others, including Steven Ambrose, von Luck is someone you'd undoubtedly like as friend, neighbor, and storyteller. To me, what is important about the book is not what von Luck says--most of it honest talk and interesting details--but what he doesn't say.
Rating: 
Summary: a good book worth reading
Review: A Quick Review of Panzer Commander Panzer Commander is one of the most recommended World War Two titles in the English language (it is included in AMAZON's Top 50 military history titles). At its heart, it is the war memoirs of one of Nazi Germany's most decorated soldier, Colonel Hans Von Luck. Von Luck, a tank commander in the truest sense of the word, found himself involved in some of the most memorable actions of the war: from the invasion of Poland, to the Battle of Berlin. Through his memoirs, one can obtain a rare perspective: that of a German soldier fighting for the glory of the German Reich. The reader is also able to obtain a unique behind-the-scenes look at German operations during the twentieth century's largest global conflict. As a result, his book has been read by some of the most respected military leaders and historians of the twentieth century. Von Luck writes with a very direct style. He offers no excuses and begs no forgiveness for serving the Nazi regime. He fought because he was a soldier sworn to obey his political masters in Berlin. To do otherwise would be unthinkable. It soon becomes clear that this strict, Prussian military mentality, which asserts itself throughout Von Luck's career, would serve the Nazi war machine well. With a clear set of orders, the Germans proved themselves virtually unstoppable. If it were not for the Allies superior war production, Von Luck maintains, the armies of Hitler would have achieved complete victory. Is this an overly optimistic claim? Perhaps. The Allies had their own strengths. For example, Americans demonstrated the unique ability to operate without preformulated plans and could quickly adapt to any situation, something that would prove to confound the Germans time and again. Would such strengths have sufficed to obtain victory? History provides no easy answer. I will allow you to provide your own answer. At the heart of this book are the military campaigns. The reader is along for the ride as Von Luck storms Poland, fights in the desert of North Africa, bitterly awaits orders to repel the Normandy invasion, and fights to save his men during the chilling last days of World War Two. We are also made privy to some of Von Luck's discussions with Nazi Germany's most capable soldier, Rommel. It soon becomes quite clear why soldiers on both sides of the front held him in such high regard. His remarks, as set down by Von Luck, prove him to have been a man of true genius, both military and political. The sole weakness of this book is to be found in the descriptions of various combat situations. To be honest, I found them to be quite dry and uninspired. We obtain no sense of what actual combat is like from Von Luck's terse descriptions. Furthermore, the lack of maps caused great confusion when certain geographically-based strategies were described. In short, what should have proven the books greatest strength, actually proved to be a boring weakness. What a shame. Ironically, the book concludes with the most interesting and vivid aspect of Von Luck's career: his captivity as a POW. His experiences in a Russian gulag prove to be fascinating. From the rigors of day-to-day survival, to the shocking portrait of Russian administration, Von Luck's achieves what he had failed to do with his combat descriptions; capture and hold the readers attention. It is here that the book excels. Over all, Panzer Commander is a book worth reading. While there are better works that describe particular military battles, few capture the personal aspects of a world war as this book has done.
Rating:
Summary: a good book worth reading
Review: A Quick Review of Panzer Commander Panzer Commander is one of the most recommended World War Two titles in the English language (it is included in AMAZON's Top 50 military history titles). At its heart, it is the war memoirs of one of Nazi Germany's most decorated soldier, Colonel Hans Von Luck. Von Luck, a tank commander in the truest sense of the word, found himself involved in some of the most memorable actions of the war: from the invasion of Poland, to the Battle of Berlin. Through his memoirs, one can obtain a rare perspective: that of a German soldier fighting for the glory of the German Reich. The reader is also able to obtain a unique behind-the-scenes look at German operations during the twentieth century's largest global conflict. As a result, his book has been read by some of the most respected military leaders and historians of the twentieth century. Von Luck writes with a very direct style. He offers no excuses and begs no forgiveness for serving the Nazi regime. He fought because he was a soldier sworn to obey his political masters in Berlin. To do otherwise would be unthinkable. It soon becomes clear that this strict, Prussian military mentality, which asserts itself throughout Von Luck's career, would serve the Nazi war machine well. With a clear set of orders, the Germans proved themselves virtually unstoppable. If it were not for the Allies superior war production, Von Luck maintains, the armies of Hitler would have achieved complete victory. Is this an overly optimistic claim? Perhaps. The Allies had their own strengths. For example, Americans demonstrated the unique ability to operate without preformulated plans and could quickly adapt to any situation, something that would prove to confound the Germans time and again. Would such strengths have sufficed to obtain victory? History provides no easy answer. I will allow you to provide your own answer. At the heart of this book are the military campaigns. The reader is along for the ride as Von Luck storms Poland, fights in the desert of North Africa, bitterly awaits orders to repel the Normandy invasion, and fights to save his men during the chilling last days of World War Two. We are also made privy to some of Von Luck's discussions with Nazi Germany's most capable soldier, Rommel. It soon becomes quite clear why soldiers on both sides of the front held him in such high regard. His remarks, as set down by Von Luck, prove him to have been a man of true genius, both military and political. The sole weakness of this book is to be found in the descriptions of various combat situations. To be honest, I found them to be quite dry and uninspired. We obtain no sense of what actual combat is like from Von Luck's terse descriptions. Furthermore, the lack of maps caused great confusion when certain geographically-based strategies were described. In short, what should have proven the books greatest strength, actually proved to be a boring weakness. What a shame. Ironically, the book concludes with the most interesting and vivid aspect of Von Luck's career: his captivity as a POW. His experiences in a Russian gulag prove to be fascinating. From the rigors of day-to-day survival, to the shocking portrait of Russian administration, Von Luck's achieves what he had failed to do with his combat descriptions; capture and hold the readers attention. It is here that the book excels. Over all, Panzer Commander is a book worth reading. While there are better works that describe particular military battles, few capture the personal aspects of a world war as this book has done.
Rating:
Summary: Ceremony in Memory of Battle of Rittershoffen and Hatten, Fr
Review: Dear Reader:
At the 1990 Anniversary Ceremonies in "Memory of the Dead Soldiers, both American and German, and the hundred of French Civilians who died during the terrifying 12 day collision of Tank and Infantry Forces during the Battle at the "Twin Villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen, France"; the Veterans of the brave U.S 14th Armored, who fought together with fellow Veterans of the Brave 315th Infantry Regiment of the 79th Infantry Division and the Brave but green and untested 1st Battalion of the 242nd Infantry Regiment and some Brave elements of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions also of the same regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division that also somehow survived the ferocious battle, despite the controversial premature withdrawal of the 242nd Regiment's 2nd and 3rd battalions, despite orders to the contrary, on night of January 10-11, 1945. And other Brave elements that "fought in Hatten and Rittershoffen there so long ago - but not so far away. . ."
At the Commeration of the Battle of the Twin Villages, the American Soldiers met with their former enemies of the German 21st Armored, 25th Armored Infantry, and elements of the 7th Parachute and 47th Infantry Divisions during that fearsome the collision of Tank and Infantry Units of these Twin Villages of Alsace (France); on the approaches to Hagenau and Strasbourg 10 miles West of the Upper Rhine River in that bitter winter of 1944-45 (January 9-21, 1945).
The late Author of this book "Panzer Commander", gave a beautiful speech in "Rememberance of All the Dead Soldiers, on both sides, and Civilians, that did not survive the 12-Day terrifying Battle in this corner Northeastern, France still haunted.
Regardless, the ahead of his time, Colonel Von Luck told me that Sovereign Nations should remain sovereign and in His speech expressed earlier conveyed his conviction held by all Nations should always maintain at peace.
Although, in his book, the author recounts a lot of his life; including his young life and the fighting in Poland, France, Belgium, Russia, North Africa and his POW life in Russia, where he learned some of the Russian language, his sadness at learning upon returning to Germany that his first love, Dagmer, a television personality had passed away in a car accident. His life as a hotel employee and then as a coffee store owner.
All Veterans of many Ceremonies by all units, of both sides, held at Hatten and Rittershoffen, including the Official French Commerations; like our 2 bus battlefield tour of perhaps of around 75 people that attended in 1990 certainly as in all personal narratives of soldier give a more balanced understanding of this book.
And left us all surprised that this historically forgotten battle is like all battles certainly remembered vividly by those who fought and died there in that Dark Winter of 1944-45, who now desire World Peace but have or someday will all one day "pass into Eternity, perhaps with some of their final thoughts drifting back to those old battlefields of World War II."
Rating:
Summary: Ceremonies in Memory of Battle of Rittershoffen and Hatten.
Review: Dear Reader:
At the 45th Anniversary Ceremonies in "Eternal Memory of the Dead Soldiers, both German and American, and the hundreds of martyred French Alsatian Civilians of the Twin Villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen"; the Veterans of the U.S 14th Armored Division, with fellow Veterans of the Legendary U.S 79th Infantry Division (315th Regiment)met with their former enemies of the fearsome German 21st Panzer, 25th Panzer Grenadier, 7th Fallschirmjager (Parachute) and 47th Infantry Division in "Commemeration of the Nightmarish and Terrifying 12-Day Battle in the Twin Alsatian (France) Villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen" on the Approaches to Hagenau and Strasbourg near the "Wissembourg Gap" of the Franco-Prussian War Fame 10 miles West of the Upper Rhine River in the Bitter Winter of 1944-45.
The Author of "Panzer Commander", the late Colonol Hans Von Luck gave an fitting speech in rememberance that I videotaped. His eloquent speech in Memory of the 12-day murderous collision of American and German Armored and Armored Infantry Forces in the Villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen on the Western Front in World War II touched me and my Decorated World War II Infantryman Father who still had some bitterness about the German Battlefield Conduct, during his combat experiences as an MOS-745 Buck Sergeant that mostly applied to the Waffen-SS or "Armed SS" of the German Wermacht (or "War Machine"), the combat soldiers of the SS, of which Colonal Von Luck's Unit, the Legendary 21st Panzer Division was not a part of.
Regardless, because of Germany's leaders, Colonel Von Luck admitted they were in sovereign countries that they weren't suppossed to be in. Period.
But just because of that and the fact that Von Luck's Elite 21st Panzer Division was a member of the Regular German Heer or Army and not the Waffen-SS didn't mean that his unit wasn't trying to kick the "explative" out of its American, British and French Military Opponents.
What impressed me about him in both his speech and meeting him with my Father was that he didn't used the "Generic Excuse" that he was just "Following Orders" from Adolf Hitler. He explained to us, the engrained oaths, that East Prussian and German Military Officers had long before Hitler to carry out the "Will of the German Nation" which was admittedly wrong in those dark days of World War II.
We discussed how, the American Armed Forces, which he now "Greatly Admired" take the 'same oaths' although my Father correctly stated that Our Oaths are generally to fight on the side of righteousness for righteousness sake for which Von Luck and his German Comrades could not argue as we sat that day in the 1990's discussing many issues. Including the "specific intentions of certain 'ferocious German Tank and Armored Infantry coodinated counterattacks that included German "flammpanzer" or "Flame Throwing Tank during the Hellish Battles in the towns and surrounding, "flat as a billiard table farm fields." That both German and American Soldiers aggreed were "beautiful tank country" for maneuver etc. and for American and German Tank Battles under "horrifying Artillery Barrages, on a biblical scale resembling some of the Barrages of World War I."
Although, Colonel Von Luck recounts his entire life, battlefiels campaigns from North Africa, Russia, Normandy and the Western Front; I had the unique experience, with my Veteran Father, to meet bitter "former enemies" and somehow emerge from the Battle of Hatten And Rittershoffen Commeration Ceremonies with "some forgiveness" for a battle that annihilated elements of both American and German Armored and Armored Infantry Units long ago.
And even with the limits of forgiveness, after meeting him and previously reading his Classic Memoir "Panzer Commander", We were able to view Colonol Hans Von Luck and most of his fellow Officers and Enlisted Men, of the 21st Panzer Division, as matured "Christian Gentlemen", who like their fellow soldiers of All Nations, will soon pass into Eternity with their final thoughts drifting back to those Nightmarish and Terrifying Battlefields of World War II. Sincerely, Dan K.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful Memoirs
Review: This is the incredible story of Colonel Hans von Luck, a young man who served as a commander in the Wermacht throughout the whole of WWII, seeing action throughout all of Europe, including the Blitzkrieg into Poland, France, Russia, and North Africa. At the close of the war he was taken captive and served for 5 years in a POW camp in Russia. In "Panzer Commander", his memoirs, he offers an insightful and often emotional glimpse into the men who fought "Hitler's War". The entire time spent reading this novel, von Luck's story really hammers home the senselessness of the slaughter, and how the German soldiers really respected their opponents (he makes a very clear distinction between how the SS and the Wermacht treated occupied peoples). Colonel von Luck also really makes you appreciate how critical allied advantages such as vast supplies, encryption/decryption technology, incredible air superiority, and deadly accurate artillery fire were to the war effort. His memoirs offer a glimpse like no other into what life was like for the Axis soldiers fighting the second world war, and how hard they fought with the knowledge rather early on that theirs was a lost cause. Colonel von Luck, a confidant and friend of the legendary General Rommel, tells his story in a very honest and straightforward manner. In retrospect it seems amazing that a man of such apparent honor and convictions could fight for the Nazi regime, but after reading "Panzer Commander" I feel that I have a better understanding of how that could happen. Luck doesn't make excuses, he only tries to explain and tell his story. This is an absolutely fascinating "must-read", not only for students of history, but for anyone that's a human being.
Rating:
Summary: Can't be compared to any other book 5 STAR +++++++
Review: One of the best books I have read, Von Luck took me back in time and made me feel I was on his place. Most recommend it if you don't read this book you will never understand the war throught German commanders eyes
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