The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Kesselring

by JamesHolland (Foreword), KennethMacksey (Foreword), Kesselring (Author), KENNETH MACKSEY (Introduction), James Holland (Foreword)

• New

  Paperback
  2007

  $16.57

  Foreword by James Holland One of the great military autobiographies Explores the truth behind Kesselring's notorious smile and his Italian war crimes Details Kesselring's role in founding the Luftwaffe These memoirs rank among the great military autobiographies of the period, written during Kesselring's imprisonment after World War II. Field-Marshal Albert Kesselring was one of Germany's most capable military strategists. Originally a Bavarian Army officer, he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1935 and became Goering's deputy, commanding air fleets during the invasion of France and the Battle of Britain. In 1941 he was appointed C-in-C South, sharing the direction of the North African campaign with Rommel. As C-inC in Italy in 1943-44 his brilliant defence of the peninsula became legendary. In 1945, after the Ardennes offensive failed, Kesselring replaced von Rundstedt as C-in-C West. In his memoirs Kesselring describes his military training, his service in World War I, his work in the Reichswehr, his role in the founding of the Luftwaffe, and all aspects of his command in World War II. Concluding with Kesselring's account of his trial and imprisonment for war crimes, these memoirs give a full picture of the whole military experience of one of Germany's great commanders. Kenneth Macksey is internationally known for his works on military history, including his biography of Guderian and Why the Germans Lose at War. James Holland is the author of Fortress Malta: An Island under Siege, 1949-1943 and Twenty-One: Coming of Age in the Second World War.