With Our Backs to Berlin - Hardcover

Lt-Col Tony Le Tissier MBE served with the British Army's Royal Corps of Military Police intil 1977. He was British governor of the infamous Spandau Prison in Berlin from 1981-87. He lives in Frome.

This is an amazing book of accounts written, with one exception, by members of the small percentage of German soldiers who emerged relatively unscathed from the final battle for Berlin in 1945. Their stories sometimes seem to show unbelievable luck, until one realises that most of their comrades were not so lucky and were killed; a few survived and these are their stories. As stated in the other revues, Willi Rogmann's account seems incredible. Yet he received medals for actions which were equally incredible and were fully documented. Writing as someone who spent 11 years in Germany and therefore has some understanding of the German psyche and social interactions, I believe Rogmann's story. The description is heavily flavoured by his opinions, of course, but it's clear that he was a uniquely positive-minded individual who simply never gave up trying 100% when most of us would have decided enough was enough. That saw him through where a great many others didn't make it. It would make a heck of a film! --By Tony H

This is an excellent and gripping collection of first-hand accounts from former German Army and SS soldiers who were involved in the defence of their fatherland, mainly in the last few weeks of the war around Berlin. It provides many insights into the nature of loyalty, bravery and what is like to take place in desperate defence without any real hope of ultimate victory. It should be of interest to anyone interested in what is was like to serve in the German forces at that time. It is true that the account given in the last chapter of the book "The Band of the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler" by Willi Rogmann does seem a bit far-fetched in places. However in the Appendix the author does invite the reader to assess the credibility of his story. Rogmann's skill as a soldier and bravery are however matters of record, as documented in the Commendations detailed in the Appendix. --By William Cummings

I have just read the book. The depth of knowledge was very impressive, and certainly tells it as it was, I can recommend this read to anyone, --By N. Ingram