Otto Carius, one of the outstanding German tank commanders of World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his exploits, has died at the age of 92.
His book 'Tigers In The Mud' is one of the classic accounts of armored combat on the Eastern Front.
It's a must-read, IMHO, for military history buffs and anyone interested in armored combat. His war record was exceptional by any standards. His last interview was given to a Russian journalist last year; it can be read in translation here.
May he rest in peace.
Peter
5 comments:
Yep, he'd been there and done it... I often wonder what Rommel would have written after the war, had he lived.
I can admire him as a soldier and commander but it is a shame he fought for the cause of Nazi Germany and Hitler.
Watched Fury today. Was very disappointed. Not once did I care what happened to any of the characters. The only good thing about the movie was getting to see the armor. The Tiger is chilling to watch.
Panzers in the East were fighting 15 - 20 to one odds in most engagements with T-34s. A miracle he lived to write memoirs......
I had the opportunity to meet him in 2012 at his home in Herschweiler-Pettersheim. having read his book I wrote him a letter asking if I could perhaps meet with him as I was visiting Germany later that year. To my surprise a letter arrived from his son a few months later stating that he would be happy to meet and talk for a few hours.
Despite his age he was still very lucid, very proud but also very humble. He fought for his friends and for his honour and was saddened that German veterans never had to the recognition that he (and I) believed they were due.
RIP Otto.
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