New German Cross in Gold books from Mark Yerger

[behblc]

Cheers Mark , next week all being well.

[Mark C. Yerger]

Seems people in other countries always get their copy before I see one, but I wrote it so know what it says.

Now just need people to not call asking when their copy mailed so he can get all packed and shipped ASAP.

As for those who get a copy direct from me, customs forms and labels done so all will go out the day after my box arrives. Assume with due to my being "lower on list" that my own copies not being sent till end of next week.

Comments welcome from those who get earlier copies.

Now back to work on "Totenkopf"............

[jacquesf]

Well I have the whole set and will have to get this one as well. They look very nice on the shelf. Make for good reaing as well. J

[Mark C. Yerger]

My copies came today so assume individual buyers in transit as well, then dealers are shipped.

[macleod]

Hi,

got my copy today. Feels like Christmas has come early! Many thanks to Mark for his sterling work.

regards

macleod

[behblc]

Great news will hopefully pick mine up tomorrow.

[Klaus Richter]

I received mine a couple of days ago. Excellent as always!!!

[behblc]

Picked it up from my son's house this morning, got "number 24".

Almost all of the content will be new to me , another excellent volume from MY.
Thanks Mark.

js

[Klaus Richter]

You beat me! I got number 27.

[Mark C. Yerger]

Any details as to what readers liked and/or learned (new) in specific always appreciated.

[Klaus Richter]

I'm just starting it, but I'm stunned by the level of biographical detail, which to me is the most important. I'm also thrilled with all the detail you put into the biography of Hans Dorr, who has always been an officer I'm highly interested in. I also appreciate that you do list the RK awards that the ODR accepts, like Hack's Oakleaves for example. To me that is very important and also honors the men who received these awards. Absolutely brilliant!!!

[Mark C. Yerger]

I'm just starting it, but I'm stunned by the level of biographical detail, which to me is the most important. I'm also thrilled with all the detail you put into the biography of Hans Dorr, who has always been an officer I'm highly interested in. I also appreciate that you do list the RK awards that the ODR accepts, like Hack's Oakleaves for example. To me that is very important and also honors the men who received these awards. Absolutely brilliant!!!

Deepest thanks Klaus for kind words, the Dorr is one of the 2 longest biographies among the two "Wiking" volumes. I had no chance as yet to look myself but an omission was found found. A known GC winner (Fritz Hahl) had his portrait omitted. It will be in the addendum of volume 8 in a somewhat better quality than other books that have used it.

I owe readership explanation (and apologies) as to the omission.

Research of units has been continuous since the series was initiated as evidenced by a significant addendum of new material in each volume for units previously covered. And so research obviously continued on "Wiking" after volume 7 was completed. In the course of the actual design of volume 7, Boss (R. James Bender) re-designed two major areas of the book twice and a third three times to incorporate 9 more unpublished photos and new text data obtained by me since the manuscript was originally handed in.

This involved 4 postal mailings by me and 2 by e-mail, literally to the last minute (the day before sent to printer) to incorporate as much material as possible. All this being a practice no other publisher would even undertake as it is obviously un-required extra cost.

Evidence of this input being as much as possible, was the necessity of deleting the rank chart and the published books part bibliography being in volume 8 to add as much to the heart of the book as physically possible. With all the changes, juggling, etc it was an honest mistake of omission with a design complicated book.

I hope the previously unpublished images, the higher clarity of others previously seen obtained by tracking and original print or negative, in combination with a significant amount of new documented text data adequately compensates for the omission. As stated a Hahl image will be in the addendum of volume 8, in superior clarity from a source close to him. Please accept my apology, as a research-historian my mind tends to focus more on new factual information and adequately documenting it (to the end) though realize the significance of images. I feel the former is the most important (and most time and material consuming), complemented by the latter.

It was further my fault; I approved design verbally after having signed off on 3 design copies rather than the normal 1 most publishers allow. It was a very complicated design, with the volume 8 addendum having to absorb a further half dozen images that could not be made to fit in volume 7 no matter what we did. Books are printed in 18 and 32 page signatures, no one wishes to pay for 6 or 8 blank pages and if printed on or not are charged for by a printer. I don't like to pay for "air" or "blank, so don't write it or allow printing of either.


Best,
Mark

[MarcRikmenspoel]

Tom at Aberdeen has received his shipment (with some signed copies), so I have placed my order and should receive my copy by the end of this week. I can hardly wait to see it and learn from it!

[pimberg]

You won't be disappointed Marc. This latest book is top quality in every way. The amount and wealth of information regarding the Wiking division, the key personalities and of course those who were awarded the DKiG is outstanding. It exceeds my expectations, which were already high due to the previous volumes.

And Mark - no need to apologise about a Hahl picture. At least your books do not misidentify pictures of individuals as so many many other books do. Further proof of your excellent work and that of your publisher.

Anyone interested in the SS / Waffen-SS / Eastern Front / German military awards and I guess in German history in general would find this book a very worthwhile read.

[John P. Moore]

I have been reading my copy all day and I am impressed by the attention to detail that Mark has shown in this book. Mark has brought together a great deal of interesting information and new photos from a myriad of sources, some of which are not available to other researchers. It is noteworthy that Mark personally knew over 100 Knights Cross holders and division commanders over many years, thus giving him a special insight and access to critical information. This is apparent in this work. I suspect that it was Fritz Darges himself who told Mark that he took over the II./Pz.Rgt. 5 on July 28th after Alois Reicher was wounded. Several pages from the KTB of the II.Abt. are missing for that week in July, but Mark must have derived that fact from the commander himself when Darges was younger and had a sharp mind. This is typical of Mark's approach. I also find that Mark has an ever-increasing circle of contributors which add to the value of his works. I felt that his remarks about General Gille could have been more balanced had he included the feeling of some vets that Gille was a "murderer with glasses" such as the October 1943 debacle at the Fuchsschwanzinsel where most of Rgt. "Westland" was lost. I highly recommend this book.

My only criticism has to do with writing style. I believe that readability could be improved by using fewer German spellings . For example, instead of saying two Battalione or Kompanien, why not simply write two battalions or companies?