Rolf Fischer was born near Bremen in 1927. At age 15, he and his classmates were called up to serve as auxiliaries at the local antiaircraft defense battery. Here Rolf and his friends experienced Allied bombing raids, death, and killing. Along with the young auxiliaries, the flak battery comprised wounded front veterans and Soviet prisoners of war, referred to as “Hiwis.” Rolf describes in great detail how all three groups interact and learn to work together. At age 17 Rolf is called up to the regular army and is sent to basic training with the 65th Regiment, 22 Luftlande Infanterie Division, at Delmenhorst. From there he is sent to a specialized machine gun–training facility in Denmark. Here Rolf and other handpicked recruits are taught to use MG 42s equipped with infrared optics. This early night-fighting gear was sometimes referred to by the Germans as “Vampir” (Vampire). The author provides an in-depth description of the equipment and its usage. Upon completion of the course, Rolf (now a corporal) and his squad are deployed on the Western Front, where they operate as an independent fire team, moving from unit to unit along the front. Rolf describes brutal combat in the Hürtgen Forest, supporting German paratroopers (Fallschirmjäger) in a desperate counterattack, and defending a position against dangerous US Army Rangers. He goes on to describe his surrender and captivity in a British POW camp. This is not a dry compilation of dates and figures; rather, it is an intense personal account of combat and comradeship in the deadly final acts of the Second World War. Fischer's narrative is constructed mostly through dialogue, providing an unusually immersive, cinematic feel to this exceptional memoir.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Vampir (From Teenage Flak Auxiliary to Night-Fighting Machine Gunner in WWII), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Vampir (From Teenage Flak Auxiliary to Night-Fighting Machine Gunner in WWII).
