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  • D DAY Through German Eyes

  • The Hidden Story of June 6th 1944
  • Written by: Holger Eckhertz
  • Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
  • Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (41 ratings)

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D DAY Through German Eyes cover art

D DAY Through German Eyes

Written by: Holger Eckhertz
Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
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Publisher's Summary

This is the hidden side of D-Day which has fascinated readers/listeners around the world.

Almost all accounts of D-Day are told from the Allied perspective, with the emphasis on how German resistance was overcome on June 6, 1944. But what was it like to be a German soldier in the bunkers and gun emplacements of the Normandy coast, facing the onslaught of the mightiest seaborne invasion in history? What motivated the German defenders, what were their thought processes - and how did they fight from one strong point to another, among the dunes and fields, on that first cataclysmic day? What were their experiences on facing the tanks, the flamethrowers and the devastating air superiority of the Allies?

This book sheds fascinating light on these questions, bringing together statements made by German survivors after the war, when time had allowed them to reflect on their state of mind, their actions and their choices of June 6. We see a perspective of D-Day which deserves to be added to the historical record, in which ordinary German troops struggled to make sense of the onslaught that was facing them, and emerged stunned at the weaponry and sheer determination of the Allied soldiers. We see, too, how the Germans fought in the great coastal bunkers, perceived as impregnable fortresses, but in reality often becoming tombs for their crews. Above all, we now have the unheard human voices of the individual German soldiers - the men who are so often portrayed as a faceless mass.

©2015 Holger Eckhertz (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about D DAY Through German Eyes

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Powerful and Eye Opening

If you are a military history enthusiast, then you likely watched 'Saving Private Ryan.' The first part of that film gave the Allied perspective (as horrible as it was), as they struggled to establish a foothold on the beaches of Normandy. Through all of the Allied suffering, the audience gets glimpses of some of the consequences experienced by the Germans (bunkers burned out with flame throwers, Germans being shot in their trenches while trying to escape ...). This book by Eckhertz, provides excellent accounts, based on first person interviews, of those whose duty it was to defend the beaches. The accounts are very descriptive and very disturbing, but also very compelling. The impact of air power cannot be understated.
It is also of interest that these interviews were conducted only 10 years after D Day so the perspectives of the Germans are quite interesting and I think quite honest considering their views at the time. For example, the belief that they were not an occupying force in France but defenders of a 'United Europe .' I don't think that the French saw it that way ...
This book provides a great perspective from the 'other side,' and should not be missed if you truly have an interest in the 'Day of Days.'

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Captivating story

I feel the voice acting and interview style didn't really work in this instance and it would have made for an easier listening experience otherwise.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Interesting perspectives.

The concept was excellent and the story was excellent. The interviews themselves were weak however in the context understandable. The accents were very annoying and unnecessary, and at times distracting. The perspectives were very interesting and the stories were raw, compelling.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting stories but..

Very interesting to hear events from the other side. The German accent thing really put me off at first, but I learned to ignore it and continued listening. Really, I think it would be better without the “performance.”

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Recommended

This is a great perspective not often herd from. of a very important day to the course of ww2

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The stories you never hear!

Awesome stories and worth a listen if you are interested in WWII. Some people are giving flack for the narration however it’s really not terrible. They seem to have different voices putting on a German accent and one does sort of… Jamaican, but it doesn’t take from the book at all!

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