Sniper on the Eastern Front (Paperback)

Albrecht Wacker

ISBN 10: 1781590044 / ISBN 13: 9781781590041

Published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Barnsley, 2012

About this Item

Paperback. Josef "Sepp" Allerberger was the second most successful sniper of the German Wehrmacht and one of the few private soldiers to be honoured with the award of the Knight's Cross. An Austrian conscript, after qualifying as a machine gunner he was drafted to the southern sector of the Russian Front in July 1942. Wounded at Voroshilovsk, he experimented with a Russian sniper-rifle while convalescing and so impressed his superiors with his proficiency that he was returned to the front on his regiment's only sniper specialist. In this sometimes harrowing memoir, Allerberger provides an excellent introduction to the commitment in field craft, discipline and routine required of the sniper, a man apart. There was no place for chivalry on the Russian Front. Away from the film cameras, no prisoner survived long after surrendering. Russian snipers had used the illegal explosive bullet since 1941, and Hitler eventually authorized its issue in 1944. The result was a battlefield of horror. Allerberger was a cold-blooded killer, but few will find a place in their hearts for the soldiers of the Red Army against whom he fought. SELLING POINTS: A rare first-hand account by a ruthlessly efficient German sniper of life and death during the Nazi invasion of Russia Extremely graphic description of that bitter campaign fought with savagery under the most atrocious conditions Suberb text, brilliantly translated. Illustrated Josef Sepp Allerberger was the second most successful sniper of the German Wehrmacht and one of the few private soldiers to be honored with the award of the Knights Cross. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781781590041

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sniper on the Eastern Front (Paperback)
• Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Barnsley
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781590044
• ISBN 13: 9781781590041
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Josef “Sepp” Allerberger was the second most successful sniper of the German Wehrmacht and one of the few private soldiers to be honored with the award of the Knight’s Cross.

An Austrian conscript, after qualifying as a machine gunner he was drafted to the southern sector of the Russian Front in July 1942. Wounded at Voroshilovsk, he experimented with a Russian sniper-rifle while convalescing and so impressed his superiors with his proficiency that he was returned to the front on his regiment’s only sniper specialist.

In this sometimes harrowing memoir, Allerberger provides an excellent introduction to the commitment in field craft, discipline and routine required of the sniper, a man apart. There was no place for chivalry on the Russian Front. Away from the film cameras, no prisoner survived long after surrendering. Russian snipers had used the illegal explosive bullet since 1941, and Hitler eventually authorized its issue in 1944. The result was a battlefield of horror.

Allerberger was a cold-blooded killer, but few will find a place in their hearts for the soldiers of the Red Army against whom he fought.

About the Author

Albrecht Wacker is an author and historian.