Rating: 
Summary: Excellent memoir
Review: This is a balanced and objective memoir by a member of the German forces engaged in a vicious battle. It does a superb job of telling the story from both sides in a manner that does justice to both, giving credit where it is due and making substantiated criticisms where justified. It also substantiates claims by other SS veterans that they (at least their unit) were disciplined soldiers who abided by the Geneva convention and did not engage in atrocities. What I especially appreciated was that Herr Zoepf did not engage in chest-thumping claims of his unit being the best and that no other soldiers could match the best German troops, a tendency that has appeared in a number of German memoirs. Herr Zoepf expresses pride and appreciation for his fellow soldiers (entirely justified - these mountain soldiers were really good) and also recognizes soldierly abilities in his enemies. He also reveals (perhaps unknowingly) what I believe is true about the American troops' fighting spirit. This is disclosed when he recounts the efforts of entirely green troops of the 70th Division in attacking highly-experienced, superior forces defending with better equipment from highly-protected positions. Those green 70th Division troops really showed courage and determination when they were driving the SS troops from their positions in Wingen. This is a fine memoir written by a man of obviously great integrity and ability.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent memoir
Review: This is a balanced and objective memoir by a member of the German forces engaged in a vicious battle. It does a superb job of telling the story from both sides in a manner that does justice to both, giving credit where it is due and making substantiated criticisms where justified. It also substantiates claims by other SS veterans that they (at least their unit) were disciplined soldiers who abided by the Geneva convention and did not engage in atrocities. What I especially appreciated was that Herr Zoepf did not engage in chest-thumping claims of his unit being the best and that no other soldiers could match the best German troops, a tendency that has appeared in a number of German memoirs. Herr Zoepf expresses pride and appreciation for his fellow soldiers (entirely justified - these mountain soldiers were really good) and also recognizes soldierly abilities in his enemies. He also reveals (perhaps unknowingly) what I believe is true about the American troops' fighting spirit. This is disclosed when he recounts the efforts of entirely green troops of the 70th Division in attacking highly-experienced, superior forces defending with better equipment from highly-protected positions. Those green 70th Division troops really showed courage and determination when they were driving the SS troops from their positions in Wingen. This is a fine memoir written by a man of obviously great integrity and ability.
Rating:
Summary: Nordwind At Wingen-sur-Moder
Review: U.S. accountings of the battle for Wingen-sur-Moder during the German Operation NORDWIND in January 1945 have been documented in the several histories of the U.S. 70th Infantry Division units. Now "Seven Days in January" uniquely provides the German side of that fight. It is authored by Wolf Zoepf, an officer in the 3d Battalion, SS-Mountain Infantry Regiment 12, 6th SS-Mountain Division NORD. The story begins with a brief overview on the formation of the division, its three years of fighting Soviet forces above the Arctic Circle on the Finnish-Soviet front, showing how it was well prepared for its subsequent struggle with U.S. forces, and its movement from Finland to the vicinity of Wingen-sur-Moder in Northeastern France for that struggle. The majority of Zoepf's book is dedicated to the details of the planning for Operation NORDWIND and a day-by-day (hour-by-hour, in many cases) account of the conduct of that operation at all levels down to the rifle squad. His research of U.S. and German archival data for this period not only provides accurate and finite details of the combat actions, but also allows the reader to compare what each side was doing at a given time. An important adjunct of great value to the reader is that following each of the significant battle accounts, the author has summed up that portion with a Battle Analysis of both sides that contains the key elements he believes significantly influenced the conduct of that aspect of the operation, and the impact of those key elements on the final outcome.
The book is the result of many years of detailed research of official sources of U.S. and German operational data. Zoepf's text includes comments provided him by Trailblazers of the U. S. 70th Infantry Division's Task Force Herren and and the German soldiers of the 6th SS Mountain Division Nord who had engaged one another in the battles at Wingen-sur-Moder. The maps, sketches, and their explanatory notes are well done and helpful in following the actions. Wolf Zoepf died unexpectedly after his review and approval of the last chapter of the book. Editor and publisher Keith Bonn, who had worked with Zoepf on the preparation of book as the technical and developmental editor, carried the remaining work to completion. The book opens with an insightful foreword by Brigadier General Theodore Mataxis (Ret.) who was Executive Officer and then Commander of 2d Bn, 276th Infantry Regiment which participated in the Wingen-sur-Moder operation of early January 1945.
Rating:
Summary: Clash in the Snow
Review: Wolf T. Zoepf "Seven Days in January" tells a story of a quite forgottten battle fought during "Nordwind" offensive between elements of 7th SS Mountain Division "Nord"(namely 1st and 3rd battalions of 12 SS Mountain Reg.) and American forces (mostly of 274th Infantry Regiment). Capturing Wingen -sur-Moder a little town in Low Vosges was essential for the Germans if any hopes of success for operation "Nordwind" were to become reality. And this task was entrusted to 7th SS Division.
The book starts with some fifty pages of introduction telling about the origins and campaigns fought by "Nord" in Finland during 1941-1944 and then it goes straight to the "Nordwind" operation. Story is told on a day to day and side to side basis which makes this book quite easy to follow. It not only gives the details of 1st and 3rd Battalions actions but shows greater picture as well. That allows the reader to understand the place and meaning of the course of events for both sides. Lots of maps help the reader to get clear picture of events and places where they occured to happen (that cannot be told about every book!). I only wish the author gave some info on the aftermatch and next actions of his unit.
But this is one hell of a book and if you are the second world war student or a waffen SS student tis is a MUST!
Rating: 
Summary: Mountain elite who fought bravely and honourably.
Review: Wolf Zoepf's "Seven Days in January" is a solid piece of work documenting the 6th SS Mountain Divison. The title is however a little misleading as at least 1/3 of the book deals with the trials and tribulations of the early 6th Mountain in it's time above the Artic circle in Norway. While this is an interesting history on it's own I was disappointed to have to read so much background that ultimately didn't frame the Nordwind battle any clearer. Having stated this caveat, Zoepf's discussion of the Operation Nordwind was however fascinating and enlightening. Clearly the 6th was an elite force that was sacrificed at the alter of battle at the end of the Ardennes Offensive. Aside from the slightly dull and unnecessary introductory portions cited above this is a solid 4 star book, with the intro it slips to a decent 3 star book. Probably not worth full new book price. UPDATE (March 12, 2004): Upon reading another Aberjona Press book, Black Edelweiss by Johann Voss, I feel it is necessary to modify my original review of Seven Days in January. While I stand by each of my original comments I would add that if read together with Black Edelweiss - a wonderful combat memoir from a veteran of SS-Mountain Regiment 11 - Seven Days in January is a truly great book in total, including the first third of the book that I said seemed out of place. Black Edelweiss expands upon these passages about the Artic Circle combat and also deals with the battles of the Lower Vosges that Seven Days is mainly meant to convey. In this larger context Seven Days in January is a solid 4 star book -worth market value (granted you need to purchase two solid reads!)
Rating:
Summary: Mountain elite who fought bravely and honourably.
Review: Wolf Zoepf's "Seven Days in January" is a solid piece of work documenting the 6th SS Mountain Divison. The title is however a little misleading as at least 1/3 of the book deals with the trials and tribulations of the early 6th Mountain in it's time above the Artic circle in Norway. While this is an interesting history on it's own I was disappointed to have to read so much background that ultimately didn't frame the Nordwind battle any clearer. Having stated this caveat, Zoepf's discussion of the Operation Nordwind was however fascinating and enlightening. Clearly the 6th was an elite force that was sacrificed at the alter of battle at the end of the Ardennes Offensive. Aside from the slightly dull and unnecessary introductory portions cited above this is a solid 4 star book, with the intro it slips to a decent 3 star book. Probably not worth full new book price. UPDATE (March 12, 2004): Upon reading another Aberjona Press book, Black Edelweiss by Johann Voss, I feel it is necessary to modify my original review of Seven Days in January. While I stand by each of my original comments I would add that if read together with Black Edelweiss - a wonderful combat memoir from a veteran of SS-Mountain Regiment 11 - Seven Days in January is a truly great book in total, including the first third of the book that I said seemed out of place. Black Edelweiss expands upon these passages about the Artic Circle combat and also deals with the battles of the Lower Vosges that Seven Days is mainly meant to convey. In this larger context Seven Days in January is a solid 4 star book -worth market value (granted you need to purchase two solid reads!)
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