Otto Kumm (1909–2004)

“I am neither a writer nor a historian…this division history will have no pretension to high literature or definitive history.” So begins Otto Kumm, the penultimate divisional commander of the 7th SS Mountain Division “Prinz Eugen.” Kumm’s book isn’t a comprehensive history, although it does briefly cover the division’s formation and early operations. It is also not a single narrative but contains recollections from various divisional members. It does cover in some details the anti-partisan operations during the 1944 period, including Operation KNIGHT’S MOVE, the attempt to capture Tito by means of a paratrooper assault.

A warning: this book’s white cover gives away the content, which is overwhelmingly an attempt to rehabilitate the reputation of a division, whose wartime actions merited multiple mentions in the Nuremberg IMT. So Kumm’s account focuses on the ever-brave, loyal Swabian volksdeutsche heroically besting the bestial Communists bandits at every turn; in fact in reading this book it read like Hitler’s Germany had won the war. It’s a whitewash account, no doubt, but a fascinating nonetheless for its account of WWII in Yugoslavia. Includes an excellent collection of photos.… (més)