Heidi Langbein-Allen - Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitlers Army

Save the Last Bullet

Save the Last Bullet is a true story of a German boy-soldier coming of age at the apocalyptic end of World War II. In the powerful tradition of The Red Badge of Courage and All is Quiet on the Western Front, it will haunt and inspire. Fast paced, frightening, and heart pounding, beautifully written, an unforgettable read.

James McMurtry Longo, Ed.D

Author Hitler and the Habsburgs: The Fuhrers Vendetta Against the Austrian Royals

Save the Last Bullet

Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitlers Army

Wilhelm Langbein with Heidi Langbein-Allen

First published in Great Britain in 2022 by

Pen & Sword Military

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Yorkshire Philadelphia

Copyright Wilhelm Langbein with Heidi Langbein-Allen 2022

ISBN 978 1 39907 239 7

ePUB ISBN 9 781 399 072 403

MOBI ISBN 9 781 399 072 403

The right of Wilhelm Langbein with Heidi Langbein-Allen to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing.

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For Papa

Contents

There are so many people who helped me in my journey to make this book a reality that I hardly know where to start. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to:

My father, whose story this is. He patiently entertained my millions of questions right until his passing. His integrity, honesty and sense of justice inspired me to strive to become the best person I can be. I hope to honour his memory by publishing this book.

My husband, John, who lovingly and steadfastly supported me from the very beginning and patiently tolerated my long hours and absorption in my work that took so much time away from him. He knew it was important to me. He is my rock.

My children, John and Gina, who always encouraged me and believed in me every step of the way. They were my sounding board when I doubted myself, and my cheerleaders when I needed encouragement.

My mother, Teresa, who shared important memories about my father that provided deeper insight into his past and who is the keeper of all pictures and documents. She is my private librarian and has fascinating stories of her own which deserve to be told.

My sister, Graziella, with whom I share the unique bond of sisterhood and of growing up with our parents. She understands everything like nobody else can.

My uncle, Paul Schuette, who generously shared family stories, pictures, and memories, and who sent me valuable bibliography about my fathers and his home town of Witten. The postage bill to ship those books from Germany to the US must have been frightful.

My dear friend, former colleague and fellow writer, Mark Jackson, who nudged me in the right direction when I didnt know what I was doing and kept nudging and without whose unwavering faith in my abilities I probably would not have become a writer. I have much to learn from him yet.

My writers group friends, Peggy Lang, Jim Riffel, Tim Kane, Cary Lowe, Lee Polevoi, Cameron Harrison and Jack Innis, whose expert advice and critique so significantly improved my work. Special thanks go to Peggy, for her extracurricular help when I needed it, and for her instinct to know when I needed her help; to Tim, for his map-making skills; and to Cary, for generously and unconditionally offering his assistance and expert insights, and for introducing me to his publisher.

Tracy Jones, my editor, for greatly improving the manuscript and getting it into publishable shape. She is always spot on. I could not have done it without her guidance.

Marni Freedman, for teaching me the craft of writing, an invaluable gift, and for giving me excellent advice about seeking agents when I didnt know I should.

My fellow memoir class students, for the amazing stories and experiences they so openly shared. I became a better writer for it.

My beta readers, for taking on the task, for their kind words, encouragement, enthusiasm, support and, above all, friendship. All are incredibly dear to my heart. A heartfelt thank you goes to Adrienne Behrens for her stimulating conversations and impeccable command of the English language which made me rethink the choice of some words. Thanks to Peter Heavey for contributing the word disabuse, which has a history of its own and has a special place in the manuscript, and for introducing me to his friends, Brian Carlin and Heiko Hiemer. Thanks to Brian for the sharpest proofreading yet, and for helping me improve the title. Thanks to Heiko for our conversations in German, for urging me to publish the book in German because it has to be so, and for introducing me to his friend Gisela, who had original and intriguing observations and helped me correct the names of German localities. Lastly, thanks to Steve Weyer for his longstanding mentorship and friendship going back many years, and for his kind and generous words that boosted my morale.

Myra Fagg, for developing my website and for being so patient, kind and supportive.

Pedro Ribera, for putting me in touch with a Spanish publisher.

My dear friend Paul Cheall, creator of the top-rated Second World War podcast www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk and narrator extraordinaire, who enthusiastically took on the project of airing an excerpt of my manuscript and broadcast it to the world with unparalleled skill, and for introducing me to his publishers, Pen & Sword, who have become my publishers. I am forever in his debt.