Comments on: Interview With World War II German Officer Siegfried Knappe http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:36:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: ANGELYA http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-788104 ANGELYA Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:22:34 +0000 #comment-788104 HEY FOR REALS NOT KIDDING HEY FOR REALS NOT KIDDING

]]> By: ANGELYA http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-788102 ANGELYA Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:21:19 +0000 #comment-788102 THAT IS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER COOL RIGHT THAT IS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER COOL RIGHT

]]> By: Anna L. V. Josephs http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-786694 Anna L. V. Josephs Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:07:45 +0000 #comment-786694 Clark, most of the atrocities committed by the Wehrmacht--yes, the Wehrmacht too, although MOST were by the SS--were committed on the eastern front. The Nazis treated the populations of occupied western countries with a measure of respect which they did not extend to the populations of the occupied eastern countries. In fact they considered Poles, Hungarians, Ukrainians, Russians "subhuman," only a notch or so above Jews. No wonder your father, who fought on the western front, never saw that side of them. Without detracting from the prowess of the German landser (GI) I respectfully disagree with him. By the way, German POWs were treated accordingly:more than 95% of GI POWs, as well as Tommiy POWs in German prison camps returned home. The unfortunate Russian POWs were nowhere as lucky. To finalize, notice that the subject of atrocities, especially against Jewish people, is never tackled in interviews with Herr Knappe. Thanks for reading. Anna. . Clark, most of the atrocities committed by the Wehrmacht–yes, the Wehrmacht too, although MOST were by the SS–were committed on the eastern front. The Nazis treated the populations of occupied western countries with a measure of respect which they did not extend to the populations of the occupied eastern countries. In fact they considered Poles, Hungarians, Ukrainians, Russians "subhuman," only a notch or so above Jews. No wonder your father, who fought on the western front, never saw that side of them. Without detracting from the prowess of the German landser (GI) I respectfully disagree with him. By the way, German POWs were treated accordingly:more than 95% of GI POWs, as well as Tommiy POWs in German prison camps returned home. The unfortunate Russian POWs were nowhere as lucky. To finalize, notice that the subject of atrocities, especially against Jewish people, is never tackled in interviews with Herr Knappe. Thanks for reading. Anna. .

]]> By: Clark Rich http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-614306 Clark Rich Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:12:02 +0000 #comment-614306 I read Mr.Knappe's book when it first was published in paperback. Along with Panzer Battles and the Memoirs of Colnel Hans Von Luck, I found it to be it one of the most facinating first-hand accounts of the German side of World War II. I was so impressed by the book, as well as Mr. Knappe, that I mailed him some of the things that the Russians took from him during his captivity: a nice wooden chess set and an Iron Cross, 2nd class. I also sent him a letter explaining how much I enjoyed and admired his book. To my surpise and pleasure, I was overjoyed to get a rather long "Thank You" letter from him. It is a treasured keepsake of a great man. I also spoke with him by phone on several occasions over the next few years. He was just as genuinely wonderful to talk with as he was to read in his book. He was married to the same wonderful war bride, as far as I know until his death. When last I talked with him, he said that the shrapnel and pieces of rock that had been embedded in his leg during a surprise straffing attack in Italy ( He had been on top of some rock formations sunbathing ) had started to surface through his leg which was causing him quite a bit of pain, and he had developed shingles. He siad that if I wanted to buy a hard copy of his book, Soldat, he would be happy to sign it for me. Unfortunately, I sent the book, but it was misplaced at his home, and I never got it back. I was very surprised one night about 2:00 AM to come home, flip on the History Channel and see him commenting on a segment they did on the last days in Hitler's Bunker. Unfortunately, I never was able to write or talk to him again. I bought him a small knife that I planned to send him at Christmas, but I heard of his death, and never sent it. My father, Charles S. Rich, served in the Eighth Air Force in Newcastle, England during World War II. He was barely 18, but was at Normandy on the 2nd day ( he was one of the fellows straffed by the only two German planes that made it to the beach ) He had the utmost respect for the German fighting man, saying often that I should not believe all the war movies that I watched as a kid in the 60's. He often said the average German soldat would kick your butt in a fight.. After my short friendship with Mr.Knappe, I found that that RESPECT was , indeed, well earned. Clark Rich, La Grange, Georgia I read Mr.Knappe's book when it first was published in paperback.

Along with Panzer Battles and the Memoirs of Colnel Hans Von Luck, I found it to be it one of the most facinating first-hand accounts of the German side of World War II.

I was so impressed by the book, as well as Mr. Knappe, that I mailed him some of the things that the Russians took from him during his captivity: a nice wooden chess set and an Iron Cross, 2nd class.
I also sent him a letter explaining how much I enjoyed and admired his book. To my surpise and pleasure, I was overjoyed to get a rather long "Thank You" letter from him. It is a treasured keepsake of a great man.

I also spoke with him by phone on several occasions over the next few years. He was just as genuinely wonderful to talk with as he was to read in his book. He was married to the same wonderful war bride, as far as I know until his death.

When last I talked with him, he said that the shrapnel and pieces of rock that had been embedded in his leg during a surprise straffing attack in Italy ( He had been on top of some rock formations sunbathing ) had started to surface through his leg which was causing him quite a bit of pain, and he had developed shingles.

He siad that if I wanted to buy a hard copy of his book, Soldat, he would be happy to sign it for me. Unfortunately, I sent the book, but it was misplaced at his home, and I never got it back.

I was very surprised one night about 2:00 AM to come home, flip on the History Channel and see him commenting on a segment they did on the last days in Hitler's Bunker.

Unfortunately, I never was able to write or talk to him again. I bought him a small knife that I planned to send him at Christmas, but I heard of his death, and never sent it.

My father, Charles S. Rich, served in the Eighth Air Force in Newcastle, England during World War II. He was barely 18, but was at Normandy on the 2nd day ( he was one of the fellows straffed by the only two German planes that made it to the beach ) He had the utmost respect for the German fighting man, saying often that I should not believe all the war movies that I watched as a kid in the 60's. He often said the average German soldat would kick your butt in a fight..
After my short friendship with Mr.Knappe, I found that that RESPECT was , indeed, well earned. Clark Rich, La Grange, Georgia

]]> By: Joseph Mens http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-554659 Joseph Mens Mon, 09 May 2011 16:21:29 +0000 #comment-554659 Hello Craig, I visited Siegfried Knappe about a dozen times in the nineties, and got to know him quite well. To me he was a gentleman and intellectual, who lived through one of the most horrible experiences imaginable and still came out a decent human being. I had nothing but respect for him. I worked with him on a number of initiatives, including a new book and a movie. Through an aquaintance I was able to introduce him to Lenie Riefenstahl. It is good that stories like Siegfried's come out; it shows that Germans were not monsters, but fellow human beings who were thrown into an impossible situation. Joseph Mens Hello Craig,

I visited Siegfried Knappe about a dozen times in the nineties, and got to know him quite well. To me he was a gentleman and intellectual, who lived through one of the most horrible experiences imaginable and still came out a decent human being. I had nothing but respect for him.
I worked with him on a number of initiatives, including a new book and a movie. Through an aquaintance I was able to introduce him to Lenie Riefenstahl.
It is good that stories like Siegfried's come out; it shows that Germans were not monsters, but fellow human beings who were thrown into an impossible situation.

Joseph Mens

]]> By: Craig Krym http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-463514 Craig Krym Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:47:27 +0000 #comment-463514 I have read Major Knappe's book several times. It is a great read. I also watched the movie 'Downfall' a couple times, and have it on DVD. It chronicles the last few weeks in the Fuhrerbunker under the Reich chancellery, and is based in part on Knappe's recollections as Weidlings adjutant. The utterances of Hitler regarding the German, who he professed to love so much, are unreal. He didn't give a whit if the entire poplulace perished with him, he felt them 'unworthy' for losing the war. Anyone who glorifies Hitler has a screw loose, IMHO. I also recommend 'The Forgotten Soldier' by Sajer, and 'Panzer commander' by Hans Von Luck as well as 'Panzer Leader' by Guderian for anyone interested in WW2 in Europe from the perspective of 'the other side'. I have read Major Knappe's book several times. It is a great read. I also watched the movie 'Downfall' a couple times, and have it on DVD. It chronicles the last few weeks in the Fuhrerbunker under the Reich chancellery, and is based in part on Knappe's recollections as Weidlings adjutant. The utterances of Hitler regarding the German, who he professed to love so much, are unreal. He didn't give a whit if the entire poplulace perished with him, he felt them 'unworthy' for losing the war. Anyone who glorifies Hitler has a screw loose, IMHO. I also recommend 'The Forgotten Soldier' by Sajer, and 'Panzer commander' by Hans Von Luck as well as 'Panzer Leader' by Guderian for anyone interested in WW2 in Europe from the perspective of 'the other side'.

]]> By: Interview with WWII German Officer,Siegfried Knappe.. - World War II Forums http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-295176 Interview with WWII German Officer,Siegfried Knappe.. - World War II Forums Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:03:51 +0000 #comment-295176 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: TONY http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-274688 TONY Fri, 14 May 2010 01:14:11 +0000 #comment-274688 Bought Soldat for fifty cents in a used book store, Once I started it, could not put it down. I'm a history buff and this was one of the most interesting and best written books I've ever read. Fantastic story. Herr Knappe had an amazing experience and led quite a life. Bought Soldat for fifty cents in a used book store, Once I started it,
could not put it down. I'm a history buff and this was one of the most interesting and best written books I've ever read. Fantastic story. Herr Knappe had an amazing experience and led quite a life.

]]> By: Lou http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-80647 Lou Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:46:34 +0000 #comment-80647 I had the pleasure of having Siegfried to my house for dinner on the mid 70's in CA. At that time he was working for NCR out of Dayton, Ohio. I knew nothing about his background but after a bottle or two of wine the discussion came to his experiences in the war. To say that it was a memorable experience would be a gross understatement. I had the pleasure of having Siegfried to my house for dinner on the mid 70's in CA. At that time he was working for NCR out of Dayton, Ohio. I knew nothing about his background but after a bottle or two of wine the discussion came to his experiences in the war. To say that it was a memorable experience would be a gross understatement.

]]> By: ddoyle http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-world-war-ii-german-officer-siegfried-knappe.htm#comment-44300 ddoyle Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:17:55 +0000 #comment-44300 I bought this book on a lead from my father when he told me that the old guy that lived acroos the street was an ex-german officer during WWII. Being a military history buff, i read the book and wow! a very interesting look into the othersides perspective of war. I bought this book on a lead from my father when he told me that the old guy that lived acroos the street was an ex-german officer during WWII. Being a military history buff, i read the book and wow! a very interesting look into the othersides perspective of war.

]]>