Title: Comrades of War
Author: Sven Hassel
First published January 1, 1958
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780304366880 (ISBN10: 0304366889)
Rating: 4.05
Overview
Battered and bruised, Sven, the Legionnaire and Tiny are given a brief reprieve from the horrors of the Eastern Front after sustaining severe injuries. Their survival is nothing short of a miracle, having endured a grueling journey in a freezing cattle-truck and the brutalities of the surgeons’ operating table.
Now, they find themselves recuperating in the safety of a Hamburg hospital, grateful for a moment of respite from the comrades of war.
About the Author
Sven Hassel was a former member of the Danish merchant navy until 1937 when he decided to join the army in Germany. He was a tank driver during the invasion of Poland in 1939 while serving with the second Panzer Division stationed at Eisenach.
Unfortunately, he suffered from mental exhaustion and tried to escape. As a result, he was transferred to a penal unit called Sonderabteilung, which was manned by criminals and dissidents.
Despite the setback, he served with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and later the 11th and 27th Panzer Regiments (6th Panzer Division) in all fronts except North Africa. He was wounded several times but eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant and received an Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class.
In 1945, he surrendered to Soviet troops in Berlin and spent some years in various POW camps where he began writing his first book.
In 1949, he was released and planned to join the French Foreign Legion when he met Dorthe Jensen, whom he married in 1951. He worked in a car factory but in 1957, he suffered from a sickness he acquired during the war, which paralyzed him for almost two years.
After his recovery, he continued writing books.
Editoral Review
Comrades of War by Sven Hassel is a historical fiction novel that was first published on January 1, 1958. The author, Sven Hassel, was a Danish writer who served in the German army during World War II before becoming a novelist.
The book falls under the war literature genre and is set during World War II. Comrades of War tells the story of a group of German soldiers who are sent to fight on the Eastern Front where they experience the brutality of war and are confronted with the reality of the Nazi regime.
The story takes place in the early 1940s during one of the most devastating wars in history. Hassel takes the readers on a journey with his characters through the muddy trenches and blood-soaked battlefields of the Eastern Front.
The main characters in the book are Lieutenant Porta, Tiny, The Legionnaire, The Barcelona Kid, and Sven Hassel himself. These characters are members of a German penal battalion, made up of soldiers who have committed crimes or have been deemed unfit to serve in regular units.
The setting is bleak, and the characters are constantly in danger as they face freezing temperatures, disease, and the constant threat of death. The book is significant for its historical and cultural context.
Comrades of War is a poignant reminder of the atrocities of war and the price that soldiers pay for the decisions of their leaders. It shows the realities of fighting on the Eastern Front, and the senseless violence that characterized the conflict.
The book is also significant for its portrayal of the German soldiers, who are often seen as the villains in Western media. Hassel’s book sheds light on the individual experiences of German soldiers during World War II, revealing that many of them were simply ordinary men forced to fight for their country.
The writing style in Comrades of War is simple and direct, with short, declarative sentences that capture the urgency of the characters’ situations. The pacing is brisk, and the action never let up.
The characters are well-drawn, with distinct personalities and backstories. Their interactions are often humorous, providing a much-needed contrast to the bleakness of the war.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The plot structure is episodic, with each chapter focusing on a separate event or battle.
While this allows for a closer look at the individual experiences of the characters, it also creates a disjointed storyline. Additionally, the book lacks a clear thematic through-line, which can make it feel unfocused at times.
Despite these limitations, Comrades of War is a poignant and raw portrayal of the experiences of soldiers during World War II. It is a timely reminder of the tragedy of war and the human cost of political decisions.
Fans of the war literature genre, particularly those interested in the German army during World War II, will find the book engaging and thought-provoking.
Overall, Comrades of War by Sven Hassel receives a rating.
The book is well-written, with compelling characters and vivid descriptions of war. The storytelling is engaging, and the historical context is significant.
However, the episodic structure and lack of a clear thematic through-line prevent it from being a truly great work of literature. Regardless, it is a valuable addition to the canon of war literature and is highly recommended for readers interested in this genre.
