Rating: 
Summary: A man that lives up to his name - Lucky
Review: Hans Von Luck has to be the luckiest man in the world!
He fought in every campaign of World War II, on the
front lines, or in the case of the fighting around Moscow,
was actually behind the enemies lines and lived.
Colonel Luck began his career as a reconnaissance officer. He fought in Poland and in France, and then was
transferred to Russia.
In Russia he was in combat in the outskirts of Moscow, where he found himself
miles behind Russian lines. He made his way back to the
German lines, as the first snow was falling in 1942, only
to find orders to transfer to the Africa Corps under Rommel.
In Africa he performed long distance reconnaisance.
In 1943, before the evacuation of North Africa, Luck
was transferred to Berlin.
In the early 1944, Colonel Luck was sent by Rommel
with sealed documents to Guderian. These documents are
presummed to concern the upcomming assassination attempt
of Adolf Hitler.
In May 1944, Luck was transferred again to a very quiet
area, Normandy. He fought the American army until March
of 1945, when he was transferred for the last time, to oppose the Russian invasion, where he fought until May,
1945 and only when his unit was out of ammunition and
surrounded, did he surrender.
Luck was sent to a Russian gulag in the Ural Mountains
digging coal. The Russians never knew that he spoke Russian,
which meant instant death. He was released in 1955.
This is an incredible book of courage and shows how
one man put his belief in protecting his country to the
utmost limit and never gave up. I highly recomend this
book.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential Memoirs
Review: A very good book indeed. In particular, the closing chapters where he was taken prisoner and then gained his release. The emotions of joy and sadness, tempered with the author's wisdom made this a very moving experience. The man's charisma shines brightly when you read this book and explains why so many of the soldiers that fought beneath him hold him in such high esteem.
Von Luck certainly appears to be a likeable fellow who valued friendship no matter what side of the fence you happened to be on. Even in the hardships of the Russian imprisonment he could still see the good in people. There is also a world weary sense of humour that runs throughtout the book which makes it memorable.
The book is also valuable for those interested in Erwin Rommel as Von Luck was close to him.
Rating:
Summary: Brought tears to my eyes...
Review: What can I say about this heroic soldier? With great determination, he lead his men for the better or for the worst. Hans Von Luck is one of the best purchases you can ever buy! It tells a poignant story of a man doing his duty in a futile war. From the early victories of wine and prosperity to the last days of death and destruction, Hans has seen it all...It's one of the only books that actually brought tears to my eyes. If you want a good perspective from a German soldier, buy this book. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Memoir with Unmatched Breadth
Review: First let me say that I find it nearly impossible to believe that anyone could give this book less than four stars. If you have a true interest in learning the thoughts of a German solider, buy this book. The value far exceeds the cost of the book. Previous low ratings are either completely biased against German points of view or they had expected something more traditional (blood & guts) and would not allow their horizons to expand.
This is the sixth book that I have read from the WWII Library and by far the best. I had expected something more like Currahee, Road to Arnem, etc.; but was pleasantly surprised. Panzer Commander is a collection of stories written from a German soldier who fought in nearly every major WWII battle. His experiences include the blitzkrieg through Poland and the remainder of Europe, the invasion of Russia, the battles in North Africa, D-Day at Normandy, the gradual retreat toward and defense of Germany and nearly five years in Russian POW labor camps.
The Colonel gives one of the most seemingly unbiased accounts of the War and political climate that I have ever read. He is the true professional soldier, fighting in a War that he does not necessarily believe in, but because it is his duty as an officer (at first) and to protect his homeland (toward the end). He gives the reader an understanding of how Hitler slowly gained popularity and how Goebbels created a propaganda machine that rarely reflected reality. Von Luck also gives the reader a firsthand account of Rommel and of his later frustrations with the German leadership. It is uncanny how closely Rommel resembles General Patten. He is strong willed, takes unorthodox approaches and generally succeeds.
Throughout his experiences, Von Luck's curiosity of different lands and people is obvious. He looks at people objectively, trying to understand why they think a certain way and understand their differences. Von Luck relates to people well and does not prejudge them. This is probably the single most important trait he possesses and one of the main reasons he was successful throughout the war and survived the labor camps.
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."
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