Twilight of the Gods: A Swedish Waffen-SS Volunteer's Experiences with the 11th SS-Panzergrenadier Division Nordland, Eastern Front 1944-45

Thorolf Hillblad

Oct 2019 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Bruce Mann

About this audiobook

Twilight of the Gods was originally written in Swedish, and published in Buenos Aires shortly after the end of WWII. Erik Wallin, a Swedish soldier who volunteered for service with the Waffen-SS, participated in the climactic battles on the Eastern Front during late 1944 and 1945, later telling his story to this book's editor, Thorolf Hillblad. Wallin served with the Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion, 11th SS-Panzergrenadier Division Nordland, a unit composed mainly of non-German volunteers, including Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes. The division enjoyed a high reputation for its combat capability, and was always at the focal points of the fighting on the Eastern Front in the last year of the war. During this period it saw combat in the Baltic, in Pomerania, on the Oder, and finally in defense of Berlin, where it was destroyed. Erik Wallin served with his unit in all of these locations, and provides the listener with a fascinating glimpse into these final battles. The book is written with a "no holds barred" approach which will captivate, excite, and maybe even shock the listener-his recollections do not evade the brutality of fighting against the advancing Red Army. Twilight of the Gods is destined to become a classic memoir of the Second World War.

Ratings and reviews

I thought it very interesting to hear war history from the German side! Apart from where they had to fight and come back from, it depended on their Commanding Officer how they came through the war! His Commanding Officer must have been held in high regard by the Americans and British. Obviously not the Russians! I would recommend this book to anyone, interested in all the history. Not just the winning side! The Germans went through hell, whereas they did what any other Soldier had to do. Follow orders from above! Some didn't like it any more than those Soldiers signing up to free the other countries. Why did some other nationalities join this particular SS group? Some believed in them, But the Swedish? Was it to prove that not all of Sweden believes what their Country did? And the interracial marriages between Germans and Swedes. They were better off than Germans and Jewish marriages! Even Hitler hid the fact that he had Jewish blood in his family!

An all consuming, provocative, riveting and breathe-taking experience. I was drawn towards this book (and others like it) by my hunger for stories told by the men (and women) who have lived through the most inconceivable highs, and unimaginable lows of the Ostfront. while giving me a new found respect for soldiers on the battlefield, 'Twilight of the Gods' has left me with numerous images in my mind that will stick with me for years to come. A few words on the Narration of the Audiobook; in the begginining i found the Narrator to be slightly Jarring to listen to, but that was quickly forgotten and i found myself happy that it was narrated with such emotion and feeling. Loved, and Hated every moment of it. Mat.

About the author

Bruce Mann is an award-winning voice artist and actor. He was born in the UK and now lives in California. His awards include several AudioFile Earphones Awards, two Audie nominations, and an AudioFile Excellence Award.

Thorolf Hillblad is an editor specializing in German military history. Hillblad has retired in Argentina.