Two And A Half Deserters

how the turmoil of war brought three combatants from opposing sides to the bond of friendship

Biography & Memoir, Historical
Cover of the book Two And A Half Deserters by Andrew Sangster, Arena Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Sangster ISBN: 9781909421684
Publisher: Arena Books Publication: October 19, 2015
Imprint: Arena Books Language: English
Author: Andrew Sangster
ISBN: 9781909421684
Publisher: Arena Books
Publication: October 19, 2015
Imprint: Arena Books
Language: English

The remarkable true account of two English soldiers and a Waffen-SS soldier who formed a lifelong friendship after deserting their respective units during the military campaign in war-torn Italy. Each of them offers their own viewpoint as to what happened, and why and how they felt.

The two English soldiers, one an officer, the other an NCO had known one another as schoolboys. The one emerged from a working class background of the 1920s and 30s, the other rising from a professional middle-class and Public School milieu. Their backgrounds were very different and it was a single incident that brought them together and made them friends for life, but it was the war and its consequences that eventually levelled the class distinctions, and in some ways reversed their social standing.

The third member, whom they met in Italy, was a dedicated member of the Nazi SS organization, and his own detailed account of his upbringing in Germany explains to a certain extent why he became what he did. Bizarrely, it was his English friends and an Italian soldier who helped to keep him stable.

The third part of the book describes their post-war efforts to return to normality. One Englishman and the German soldier seek redemption through the nature of their life’s work; the third insisting he would be content to remain listed as ‘missing.’

It is an account of how national identity and class form our characters, how individuals react to violence, and how, in each one of us, there is a need to seek personal redemption.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The remarkable true account of two English soldiers and a Waffen-SS soldier who formed a lifelong friendship after deserting their respective units during the military campaign in war-torn Italy. Each of them offers their own viewpoint as to what happened, and why and how they felt.

The two English soldiers, one an officer, the other an NCO had known one another as schoolboys. The one emerged from a working class background of the 1920s and 30s, the other rising from a professional middle-class and Public School milieu. Their backgrounds were very different and it was a single incident that brought them together and made them friends for life, but it was the war and its consequences that eventually levelled the class distinctions, and in some ways reversed their social standing.

The third member, whom they met in Italy, was a dedicated member of the Nazi SS organization, and his own detailed account of his upbringing in Germany explains to a certain extent why he became what he did. Bizarrely, it was his English friends and an Italian soldier who helped to keep him stable.

The third part of the book describes their post-war efforts to return to normality. One Englishman and the German soldier seek redemption through the nature of their life’s work; the third insisting he would be content to remain listed as ‘missing.’

It is an account of how national identity and class form our characters, how individuals react to violence, and how, in each one of us, there is a need to seek personal redemption.

More books from Arena Books

Cover of the book Katka by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book The Inorganic by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Democracy in The Digital Age by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Border Conflicts in a German African Colony by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Globalisation and Manufacturing Decline by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Bully Glares at Anti-Bully by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book The Tower by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book We All Dance To A Mysterious Tune by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book The Wolds' Old Ways by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Land of The Olympians by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Loyalty and Disloyalty by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Mexico on Film by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book A Premature Affair by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Flying in Father's Slipstream by Andrew Sangster
Cover of the book Purely Academic by Andrew Sangster
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy