Devils Guard

Devil's Guard, by George Robert Elford published in , is the story of a former German Waffen-SS officer's string of near-constant combat that begins on.
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The writing could have gone to shit, and I would rate this book easily 3 stars still. I will be recommending this one to friends.

Couldn't put this book down! I am a newcomer to world war 2 novels. In fact this is only my 2nd one, but I absolutely love it! I get so tired of finding historical errors in many of the "Authentic" history that I read that it is relaxing and enjoyable reading fiction. However, there is enough history involved to keep me interested.

I'm something of a germophile so even better if it is about an SS unit on the eastern front. Especially when the SS man is the hero. That usually isn't the case. But i Couldn't put this book down! It is a terrific book Mar 24, Tony rated it did not like it Shelves: First class account of the little known French Indochina war. Fast paced and realistic. Dec 13, Amber Endrusick rated it it was amazing.

Dec 05, Ray Wilkins rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed some of the history. Oct 19, Keith rated it really liked it. Norm Lavallee rated it really liked it Jul 08, Alex Giovanniello rated it liked it Apr 28, Mark Halstead rated it it was amazing Sep 04, Lester Lopata rated it it was ok Apr 24, Paul Fitzpatrick rated it liked it Dec 27, Simon Harmer rated it really liked it Dec 31, Heidi Walton rated it it was amazing Feb 01, The main thrust of the narrative centres upon his time with the Legion fighting in Indochina against the Viet Cong as part of an all-German battalion of veterans and his experiences there-in.

The story has generated a great deal of controversy over the years as there is no record of an all-German battalion nor of an individual named Wagemueller ever having fought as part of the Legion. Regardless of whether the story is truth or fiction really is however, beside the point as the lessons to be gleaned from it resonate either way. Given the experiences that Western forces have had in Afghanistan and Iraq fighting asymmetric opponents, the question of what constitutes acceptable methods of executing a war has again become a central point of discussion and contention.

Wagemueller's character in the book takes the position that war is, by its very nature, violent and horrible, but must be fought to win and, in order to do so, the conditions must be established and maintained whereby the side wishing to prevail does what it must to enforce its will upon the population and the enemy.

It is a testament for the Real Politique approach to conflict. Additionally, Elford's narrative translates doctrine into action as he describes through the storyline the how, what, where and why's of a unit doing what it has to in order to win. Wagemueller's character is uncompromising in his rendition of the toll that fighting to win takes upon all of the elements of society involved and, more importantly, the mental strength that soldiers must have to do what they have to do.

Finally, and perhaps most telling, Wagemueller describes the methods by which his unit was recalled and disbanded as a result of a lack of support from the French government and population. The similarity to the impact of popular opinion on modern warfare is striking. The story itself reads very well and is extremely engaging; the characters are presented with a human face, not enjoying what they are doing but undertaking it regardless. It is not a comfortable read and will tend to polarize its readers between those agreeing with and those appalled by the actions of the main characters.

Its strength, I believe, lies in the fact that it was first published in the early 's during the height of the Vietnam conflict and yet, it still retains its relevance today as a means to stimulate healthy debate and discussion amongst military professionals and their leaders. Jun 27, Steve Woods rated it it was ok Shelves: There was little of any substance in this book.

Pulp sensationalism and apologist for the Nazi Waffen SS. True war does things to people particular guerrilla warfare. It is nasty and uncompromising, with little latitude for quarter either way. The author paints these guys with some ambivalence. Certainly outstanding soldiers but there seemed to be just a bit too much enjoyment in the telling. Whether the story is true or not who can tell. There were several points of interest though; the identif There was little of any substance in this book. There were several points of interest though; the identification of the primary mistake of allowing a guerrilla force the luxury of sanctuary and the efficacy of fighting these people with their own methods on their own ground.

The French certainly employed various forces in this way, some regular units Legion and Para as well as irregular units comprised of hill tribes between whom and the Vietnamese there was never any love lost. The primary effort was always though determined by regular officers trained for a European war. The thrust was always wrong and the political will always lacking. The French were doomed from the outset by both the politics and poor senior leadership. Despite the magnificent effort put up by many French soldiers the nature of their deployment always worked to their disadvantage.

The book is not very well written and it is dated and often sensationalist. Not really worth the effort by a serious student of the conflict Sep 24, Casey Bell rated it it was amazing. It should be on the Commandant's Reading List, re-enlistments would probably go up. I read it almost a decade ago but it still resonates with me.

Devil's Guard: The Real Story by Eric Meyer

Gives an accurate glimpse of what it's like to be in a combat zone. Their tactics in French Indochina were brutal, but effective, and would never be sanctioned publicly by modern nations. I'm not sure about the truth of the narrative, which has to be fictional, but the author clearly had military experience or spoke to someone who Outstanding story. I'm not sure about the truth of the narrative, which has to be fictional, but the author clearly had military experience or spoke to someone who had. Mar 24, Tony rated it really liked it Shelves: As a soldier, I was intrigued by how the German Legionnaires did things notwithstanding their, shall we say, looseness with the laws of war.

Now, when I re-read it, I like how it shows the "feel" of soldiering, and the questions it raises about what is worthwhile to stop a war. May 12, Steve Howarth rated it really liked it Shelves: An interesting story I come across years ago how close to reality would be very interesting and almost disturbing at times.

Hard men in hard times with flexible morality. It is easy to see where Glen Cook got his inspiration for the Black Company at the latter end of this conflict. Overall I enjoyed this book. Some people have started doubting the claim that this is a true story or not. I'm not sure if it is or not but you can still enjoy the book for what it is. This is one of the best books on guerilla warfare tatics.

Apr 02, Nate rated it it was amazing. An intruiging first hand account of anti-guerrilla warfare. A truly unique book that underscores many of the issues that modern nation states face when fighting insurgencies from the moral high ground. I read this years ago, my memory is that it was a Fascinating history, with no holds barred Feb 19, Frank rated it really liked it. Really just a recollection of the missions the Nazis in the French foreign legion were involved in after the Nazi surrender in World War II.

Good if you are interested. Dec 21, Anthony O'brien rated it really liked it. As a pulp fiction book, brilliant. Aug 25, Jon athan Nakapalau rated it really liked it Shelves: With no country to return to how will they survive? Feb 21, D Sibilant rated it did not like it. Mar 21, Cerisaye rated it liked it Shelves: I find it hard to believe this book was ever accepted as a true account not the sensationalist pulp fiction it so obviously is, similar to the novels of Sven Hassel and Leo Kessler while purporting to be the recounted memoir of a former Waffen SS officer who joined the French Foreign Legion to fight in Indochina having evaded capture by the Allies in Having proved their worth, a group of German former soldiers is formed into a 'Legion of the Damned' to harry and destroy Communist insurgent I find it hard to believe this book was ever accepted as a true account not the sensationalist pulp fiction it so obviously is, similar to the novels of Sven Hassel and Leo Kessler while purporting to be the recounted memoir of a former Waffen SS officer who joined the French Foreign Legion to fight in Indochina having evaded capture by the Allies in Having proved their worth, a group of German former soldiers is formed into a 'Legion of the Damned' to harry and destroy Communist insurgents, as though in continuation of the Russian front, applying the same ruthless tactics of anti-partisan guerrilla warfare, to considerable success yet let down in the end by politicians back in France.

If you like this sort of thing there's a lot to Elford develops an emotional connection between the reader and his characters that calls you up short when Hans Wagemueller voices his opinion the Vietminh are less than human vermin who should be gassed. Brutal descriptions of combat, the capture and torture of 'terrorist' soldiers and sympathisers using methods out of the Gestapo handbook, the manly camraderie of fighting men who've known nothing but war for the whole of their adult lives, dark humour and, incongruously, even a bit of romance between love-starved combat veterans and some local girls recruited to tend the wounded and generally help out.

I must admit I find it more difficult to read and enjoy this sort of book in the current climate, neo-Nazis spouting hate and bile all over the internet, populist parties achieving electoral success all over Europe, antisemitism, racism and white supremacy increasingly visible. Those sympathetic to Nazi ideology and the lure of the aesthetic will be drawn to its SS apologia: And yet, it's undeniably exciting to read how Hans Wagemueller leads his men back to Germany through Soviet lines after the surrender, with very few making it home to the Fatherland.

It certainly beats a Russian prison camp or the hangman's noose as the victorious Allies pursue former SS for war crimes. There are those, too, who see Hans' methods as what we ought to be doing against Islamist terrorists but won't because we are unable to act ruthlessly and effectively to exterminate root and branch any and all combatants and supporters. Wagemueller and his men know war is violent and horrible for those who fight and for civilians who suffer its consequences, they certainly do not enjoy what they do, but they know, too, only those who truly fight to win, who are prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that end, will secure victory, uncompromising and unwavering in strength of will, that cannot be accomplished without strong and supportive political leadership.

Exciting, gritty, makes you feel like you're there with the battalion, even, dare I say it, feel sympathy for these SS men, and, therefore, disturbing, 'problematic' in modern terminology though if you're the kind bothered by PC concerns I doubt you'd come anywhere near a militaristic pulp classic like this. A gripping tale that purports to be true, but rather obviously isn't.

The story involves a large formation of SS who slaughter a large formation of Soviets in the dying days of WW2 while retreating, then escape westward and join the French Foreign Legion to fight in Indochina in the early stages of the Vietnam war. It is a fairly gruesome read in parts.

Followed by two sequels.

Devil's Guard

Apr 09, Toni Morgan rated it it was amazing. Well written, presumably honest story of one of the many secrets of our past wars.

Devil’s Guard

Devils Guard Reads like a Sven Hassle novel. Disappointing read, skipped through most of it, same s"""""t just a different day and location. Apr 02, Chris Brown rated it it was amazing. Little known story of ex-German soldiers in Vietnam. Feb 06, Travis rated it it was ok Shelves: Thought this would be fun in a kind of indulgent, bad-boy way. I couldn't stay with it. Mar 03, John Casper rated it it was ok. Amusing concept, Nazis in Vietnam! Not sure if outright fiction or a mixture of fact, fiction and nazi propaganda. How can you rate a book such as this? It's obviously a piece of propaganda.

Blue Devils 2017 METAMORPH - Color Guard Head Cam - Anthony Velez

It's clearly pulp literature, but as far as pulp literature goes, it's a great novel. It's often called a "Nazi" novel, though in the strictest sense, it's anti-communist, but not necessarily racist. It would more accurately be called a piece of Cold War anti-communist propaganda, as it contains diatribes against Hiterlism and totalitarianism in general. It's view of the Vietnamese natives is mixed, but clearly condescen How can you rate a book such as this?

It's view of the Vietnamese natives is mixed, but clearly condescending at best. Though to be fair, there are a few honorable Vietnamese characters in the book, made so by their dedication to destroying communists. In this sense, it recalls other pulp writers, such as Robert E. Howard and his overtly racist, yet sympathetic view of Blacks who shared Conan's views on civilization and humankind.

Of course, this book is ideological rubbish, in that sense I rate it a once star. In addition, as history I'd rate it even lower. The book's main premise, that legions of former Waffen S. Though it's likely that some managed to get in to the Legion's ranks, the French got wind of the negative impact on the propaganda war and morale and outlawed Waffen S. Nonetheless, ranking it on pulp alone, and given the cult popularity of the book among soldiers of various backgrounds, it's definitely a thrilling read that is ideologically consistent with itself, even if that ideology is repugnant, However it's not any more racist than the Confederate sympathizing "Gone with the Wind" is, although it's much more violent.

But if you are looking for accurate history or agreeable politics, turn elsewhere. You won't be able to stomach it. Jan 23, Tessy Jose rated it liked it. I am unsure on the authenticity of these memoirs belonging to an actual SS agent, but the book is definitely an exciting read. Ever so often we wonder why people follow a particular propaganda and are willing to kill and die for it. Wagemueller is very vague about his background. Towards the end of the war in April remnants of several Waffen-SS divisions fell back into eastern Czechoslovakia from Poland and Hungary.

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Some of them including 3rd Totenkopf, 10th Frundsberg, 5th Viking and 9th Hohenstaufen were reorganized into attacking Soviet forces in Austria where eventually most of them kapitulated in May, Only one Waffen-SS division, the 20th Estonian-I Waffen-SS Panzer division, fell back from Poland and was positioned in Liberec, north of Prague, where it eventually kapitulated in the beginning of May, at the same time Wagemueller claims he was there.

This division was made up by Estonians and with very few German nationals. From this I see the following possibilities: Publishing year is Someone wrote this book in order to educate the US public on how the war in Vietnam ought to be fought. These questions lingered in my mind when reading the rest of the book. I do think that the author probably did participate in that war.

Too much, such as names and places, are correctly described for not to be true. However, based on my own experience with guerilla warfare, I have a hard time believing his account of the operations and the battles he supposed to have fought. I found many of them to be over the top exaggerated. Although Wagemueller seems to know about guerilla warfare he seems to make it easier than it really is.

However I do agree with the author about what it takes do defeat a guerilla such as Vieth Minh or Viet Cong. In the end I read the book more as fiction based on historical facts and I found it to be an easy and interesting read. Mass Market Paperback Verified Purchase. This was a great book. If you are a fan of the more diabolical parts of WW2 history, the story of rogue S. S officers fighting in Indochina will be up your ally.

Devil's Guard: The Real Story

It is a novelization of what a counterinsurgency that you wanted to win would look like. No hearts and minds, just victory. The sections on the horrors of communism are great. Perhaps all the college educated elites that want to turn America into a communist hell hole should pay attention. I can see why this book was popular with the troops in our endless war's in the M. They know what needs to be done to win instinctively. The politicians included the four star variety enjoy the riches they get from an endless war. Where is Hans Josef Wagemueller when you need him.

Lot of noise about this book, about the author, authenticity. I for one find the details of the various campaigns too much to argue against.

Bottom line - we have Nazis battling Communists in Indochina about Now there are very few books where a Nazi is the good guy, and to see what I mean one must read the book. The protagonists make no excuses, and do not shy away from the war as far as what their own perspective is or was. They took their "talents" to Vietnam, via the FFL, and showed the Communist terrorists that there are others who can play it dirty. The Nazis butchered 6 million people, the book suggests that if this number horrifies you as it should, consider the post WW2 Communists, who butchered hundreds of millions of people, and literally enslaved hundreds of millions more.

I am no apologist for the Nazi regime, however, they seem to get the wrap as being the most evil regime in world history. They are a strong second or third, behind Stalin and the Soviets with their partners in genocide the Red Chinese, who killed upwards to a quarter of a billion people in 3 decades according to some estimates. Enough moralizing, the book is non stop action, and a valuable tool in anti-guerilla warfare. I found it fascinating and anyone who isnt a lefty weirdo would probably enjoy this book as much as I did.

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