Steel Armageddon (ePub)

STEEL ARMAGEDDON is the first of five adventure stories from WW 2, all dealing with tank warfare. In book one we follow a tank commander in the 6th Panzer Division, Carl Johnsen. He is one of the many volunteers from the occupied countries that served in the German forces. We follow him through one of the last tank battles in WW II to postwar battles in Palestine in 1948.

During World War II, particularly the early years, the final outcome of the conflict was not as obvious as it appears with the benefit of hindsight. As such it is hardly surprising that many people in the occupied countries hedged their bets by cooperating with the Germans. In addition to the millions of collaborators, thousands of men and women went one step further and volunteered for service with the foreign units of the Waffen SS. Their reasons varied, from idealistic, like strong anti communism, to racial prejudice or outright financial gain. In some cases it could be sheer self preservation, as it probably was for the Jews that served in the German Army.

As the war progresses, the main character gradually realizes what a colossal mistake he has made by fighting for Hitler. However, changing side is easier said than done in the middle of a war. He also falls in love with a Jewish/Italian woman and ends up in Palestine during the creation of the State of Israel. The description of the tank battles and types of tanks used are accurate, and the story is not as far fetched as it may sound like. Stranger stories than this emerged form the ruins of World War II. The story should appeal to all who enjoy WW II adventure stories and have an interest in tank warfare.

Book 2, STEEL QUEEN, introduces his cousin, Tommy Fletcher, serving in the British armored forces.