“A Tale of Two Soldiers: The Unexpected Friendship between a WWII American Jewish Sniper and a German Military Pilot” is a memoir with something for everyone.
It’s a coming of age story, a modest self-portrait of a true war hero, a profile of a loving Jewish family, an account of immigration at the turn of the last century, a social and military history of war and a tribute to enduring friendship — all woven into a page turner.
It’s also a father’s final gift to his family — the gift of memory documented for generations to enjoy.
Written by Milwaukeean Max Gendelman, “A Tale of Two Soldiers” was completed shortly before the author’s death at the age of 88. The centerpiece of this memoir is the unexpected relationship between Gendelman, a Jewish American sniper, and Karl Kirschner, a German air force pilot.
The two crossed paths during World War II following the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944-January 1945). Gendelman was captured while hiding in a German bunker with a few other soldiers who survived the battle.
He was held as a prisoner of war at Kirshner’s family farm, which was turned into a POW camp by the Germans. Kirschner had been conscripted against his will and was hiding, injured, in a barn.
Gendelman had attempted to escape from the Germans twice but was not deterred when Kirshner proposed a plan for a third attempt. This sealed the two’s friendship that was to last a lifetime.
The book is charmingly written in a way that feels as if the reader is sitting at Gendelman’s side listening to his recollections.
Gendelman captures his readers with his first lines: “Every story has a beginning and an end. I know my beginning and can foresee the end. In between, I have lived a life that has been full of promises, sadness, happiness, adventure and success.”
He begins with the story of his grandparents’ life in Russia and their immigration to Milwaukee.
The book contains many interesting anecdotes, some horrific and some endearing.
For example, Gendelman recalls the time he was persuaded by his fellow soldiers to cook chicken soup over a fire in his helmet — feathers, guts and all. He was selected chef because it was assumed that, as a Jew, he would certainly know how to cook chicken soup.
“A Tale of Two Soldiers” was published in 2013 by Two Harbors Press. The book is available digitally and in paperback through Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.taleoftwosoldiers.com.
Stephanie Wagner is vice president of communications and strategy at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
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