Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Hans von Luck

Panzer Commander is a memoir by Hans von Luck, a professional soldier and field-grade officer in the German army during World War II. Von Luck joined the Panzerwaffe early in its formation and served under Erwin Rommel, fighting in the Blitzkrieg campaigns in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union. He later served with the Afrika Korps in the Western Desert, where he describes interactions with the British 8th Army. After the collapse in North Africa, he returned to Europe to fight in the Normandy campaign, where he was responsible for stopping the British Operation Goodwood breakout attempt. He subsequently fought in the final battles on the Eastern Front. Captured by Soviet forces at war's end, von Luck spent five years in a prison camp in the Caucasus. After the war, he developed friendships with former opponents, including Major John Howard, who had led the capture of Pegasus Bridge. This edition includes a new preface by the author's widow. The memoir documents one soldier's experience during the war and its aftermath.