Now, for the first time, the private Afrikakorps photograph collection of Rommel's second in command, Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein, is presented in this landmark publication. Over 200 photographs, showing personalities, battle scenes, behind the front line rest periods, and non-battle scenery such as a tour of ancient ruins with Rommel are featured. Brought to life here are the famous Afrikakorps personalities such as Rommel, Nehring, Cruwell, and von Thoma. The Afrikakorps commanders, their fighting men, the awards for bravery, the graves, and even mundane military life in the heat of the Libyan desert, Bayerlein's array of photographs depict the war in the Western Desert as he saw it. From his arrival in the Western Desert in October 1941, through his final, and bitter departure in May 1943, Bayerlein took hundreds of photographs. This gallery of images unfolds Bayerlein's rise in rank, from an Oberstleutnant under General Cruwell to Generalleutnant under his friend and mentor, Erwin Rommel. Fritz Dittmar-Bayerlein, the General's nephew and co-author, has generously opened his uncle's photograph collection which had been in storage for over thirty years. Retrace Bayerlein's steps and the campaigns across the desert sands - an undiscovered perspective on the legacy of the vaunted Afrikakorps.

This book is the first and only comprehensive biography of the life of General-leutnant Fritz Bayerlein (1899-1970), Erwin Rommel's former Chief-of-Staff and commander of the elite Panzer Lehr Division during World War II. Bayerlein is often quoted - and equally criticized - for his military failures and successes. His experiences with General Heinz Guderian in the invasion of Poland, France and Russia, along with North Africa, Hungary, Normandy and the Ruhr cover six years of intense war. During the Russian winter of 1943-1944, Bayerlein commanded the famous Berlin-Brandenburg 3rd Panzer Division. Officers and soldiers describe his battle experiences and provide valuable insight into the character and personality of this highly unusual panzer general. In addition, Spayd has edited many of the military manuscripts, articles and correspondence Bayerlein wrote which serve as the backbone of many of the chapters. In the process Bayerlein tells his own story and shows his feelings and frustrations on fighting a war of useless bloodshed. Using Bayerlein's experiences, blended with personal accounts, the biography is a discovery of the range of his temperament - from raging anger over decisions made by superiors, to the gentleness of giving chocolate to children. The author researched Bayerlein's life for over five years, discovering documents and photographs in military archives, visiting his friends, comrades and neighbors, learning about his early years, and family life. The author also had the cooperation and help of Bayerlein's nephew who shared intimate detals of his uncle's life - including many family and behind the scenes war photos. Bayerlein's personal friend, Manfred Rommel, provides remarkable insight into the man's nature. Over 340 photographs (many never before published and from his personal family collection), and twenty war maps drawn by Bayerlein, make this book a valuable addition to a military or biographical collection.

This is the fourth and final book in the complete series on the life of Rommel's former Chief-of-Staff Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein. Bayerlein faced obstacles in attempting to get his life back to normal after six years of fighting and two years as a prisoner of war. This unique book about Bayerlein covers his trial by the Denazification Tribunal conducted in September 1947. Bayerlein's German trial is extensively documented including details of his testimony regarding his actions as a commander during World War II.

This is the fourth and final book in the complete series on the life of Rommel's former Chief-of-Staff Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein. Bayerlein faced obstacles in attempting to get his life back to normal after six years of fighting and two years as a prisoner of war. This unique book about Bayerlein covers his trial by the Denazification Tribunal conducted in September 1947. Bayerlein's German trial is extensively documented including details of his testimony regarding his actions as a commander during World War II.