Rommel's Right Hand: The Untold Story of Hans Von Luck | WW2 Documentary
Watch the gripping tale of one of World War 2's unsung heroes, Hans Von Luck, in my latest documentary. Von Luck, the trusted protégé of the legendary Erwin Rommel, played a pivotal role in his success. Join us as we delve deep into the life and experiences of this remarkable frontline commander, exploring his journey from humble beginnings to battlefield glory, and ultimately, his struggle for survival in the aftermath of war.
Few commanders in history have captivated the public imagination like Erwin Rommel, the daring and charismatic "desert fox" of World War 2. But behind every great leader lies a trusted lieutenant, and for Rommel, that man was Hans Von Luck. Together, they forged a bond that transcended mere military strategy, shaping the course of battles from France to North Africa.
However, as we uncover Von Luck's memoirs, we confront questions about the veracity of his accounts. Was he truly the honorable and dutiful soldier he portrayed himself to be, or did he conceal darker truths behind the facade of loyalty? Our documentary explores these criticisms, shedding light on the complexities of wartime allegiances and the blurred lines between heroism and complicity.
Von Luck's journey began in the aftermath of tragedy, with the loss of his father to the Spanish Flu at a young age. Determined to honor his family's legacy of military service, he embarked on a path that would lead him into the heart of battle. From his early days as a cadet to his fateful encounters with Rommel, Von Luck's story is one of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Rommel's influence on Von Luck was profound, shaping his approach to warfare and leadership. Together, they faced the trials of the French Campaign, defying orders and outmaneuvering the enemy with unmatched daring. Von Luck's rise through the ranks mirrored Rommel's own ascent, culminating in his command of defenses during the pivotal D-day invasion.
Yet, amidst the glory of victory, Von Luck's loyalty would be tested as Rommel's fortunes took a dark turn. Accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler, Rommel's tragic demise marked the end of an era for Von Luck and his comrades. As the war drew to a close, he found himself a prisoner of war, grappling with the weight of his experiences and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Join us as we unravel the untold story of Hans Von Luck, a man who stood at the crossroads of history and whose legacy continues to inspire generations. Subscribe to our channel for more gripping documentaries on the heroes and villains of World War 2. Don't miss out on this epic journey through the annals of time. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest releases. Like, share, and comment below with your thoughts on Von Luck's remarkable tale. Thank you for watching, and until next time, stay curious.
I got to know him a little bit in 1988. I was a University student and he taught a class on modern European history. He even traveled with us from Austria to Normandie and showed us the exact bunker he was un during the D-day landings. He told us all about the 8 years he spent in the Soviet prison camp. As a 19 year old student it was like meeting and getting to know Jeb Stuart or Stonewall Jackson. I will never forget it.
Wow Damon. What a treat. Reading and watching videos of Hans gives me a strong impression that he's a magnetic character. I wasn't aware he became a bit of a historian lecturer later in life. Would he talk about his relationship with Rommel or was that too off topic for the course?
I read his book.
I read his memoirs, Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans von Luck. Very good read. Available on Amazon
Agreed. Very interesting and human read.
It’s available as a full audiobook on YT!!
I read it and still own my copy.
actual books. nothing compares. :)
@FrontseatHistory Books the original search engine.
when i served in the Korean army(ROKA), my company commander had several ww2 related books including Panzer Commander. back then we had nothing to be entertained since we wernet even allowed to use our phones. So every evening when my commander left the garrison, I snuck into his office and read those books with great joy.
His book Panzer Commander is one of my favorites! I wish they would make it into a movie.
Honestly his journey is astonishing.
I would say "lesser known"; he has written a book, "Panzer Commander" and was widely quoted by writers like Steven Ambrose.
In circles like this I agree of course. I say it as he isn't known to the wider public and one could easily make an amazing full feature Hollywood movie about the amazing journey Hans went on. Pardon my hyperbole :)
Oberst or Major Hans Von Luck was a true soldier, officer & a gentleman. His book & memoirs “Panzer Commander” is fantastic & shows a poignant unadulterated story of the German side from Von Luck’s viewpoint. We have all too often seen skewed & reductive takes of the Wehrmacht & especially Waffen-SS marred by the atrocities of the war that far too often sullied the chivalrous & dutiful soldiers like Von Luck. Von Luck befriended many former adversaries after the war such as British Army Major John Howard of Pegasus Bridge fame & famed US historian Stephen Ambrose. It was Ambrose I believe if I remember correctly who suggested Von Luck memorialize his war time experiences in his book. So if you’re a history buff & especially a military history fan or WW2 buff, it’s really compulsory reading. His book is a swift read too as it shows Von Luck’s charm & moments of levity during what was a tumultuous & deadly period in our history. I love when veterans that have enough writing skill or writing help to give you a poignant glimpse of WW2 history that really transports you there as if you can see it in your mind’s eye or it allows you to visualize it from the thorough, emotional & detailed writing writing. I think Von Luck was able to capture this very well. I’m an ex-US Army tanker & a big history & military history buff. Panzer Command & Otto Carius’s Tigers In the Mud are two of my favorite WW2 memoirs. Also British historian Michael Reynolds has written some good stuff as well. Thanks for the video! There are a lot of great nascent WW2 channels coming out on YT which is always a good thing. keep up the great work!👍😉
Thanks Kenji. Much appreciated 👍 indeed I read it for making this video and I would second what you said about him. Big respect for your military service, even if I'm not American. Some people feel strongly that the likes of Hans are whitewashing ww2, but I struggle to get on board with this perspective in his case at least. If you have other ideas for people or episodes less covered I'd be happy to hear it as well?
@@FrontseatHistory yeah, good stuff Thanks for the quick reply & kind words. Appreciate the effort & work👍😉
A hotel receptionist...? Sounds like Dirk Bogarde in 'The Night Porter.' 😮
Haha, yes. Within a few years we got a great offer to help run a car company through war references. He ended up in a good place in life after some years of uncertainty
IT IS and was normal in wartime. .Unknown heroes in every country. Born to lead from shadow
He wrote very interesting memoirs.
I think 1:54 is SS cavalry, you can see the eagle on the sleeves.
Well spotted. Some of the photos are for dramatic effect. I try to find relevant stuff as much as possible, but sometimes it's too hard. Please forgive :)
On the maps, 'TK' = Death's Head Division -- ie SS Concentration Camp murderers used as front line troops. Renamed the 3rd SS panzergrenadier divison, it was --- from the first -- notorious for unlawful warfare -- atrocities against soldiers and civilians alike. During the period under discussion, TK was a 'buddy' division to the 7th Panzer Division, particularly at Arras.
Do you mean sister division in 1940 or in 44?
@@FrontseatHistory The SS fought side-by-side with Rommel at Arras -- with many German accounts crediting the SS with the victory -- not Rommel. The 3SS was not a factor in the west during 1944. It only went to France to be rebuilt (1942) -- thence to go back into Russia in early 1943. Like DR & LAH, TK was massively involved in the Holocaust -- at the front, not just back in the camps. All three were dispatching companies, even battalions, to round up Jews, partisans, Gypsies -- for the SS death squads operating in the fields. These detachments are almost universally skipped over by historians. This practice is the real reason that each army group had a dedicated SS division. Since Adolf's priority was the south, it got LAH. Next was Moscow, DR. Finally TK was assigned to Army Group North Rommel was no fan of the SS right from the start, doing his best to keep the Gestapo and SS out of Africa. ( He had commanded GD, Adolf's palace guard, in alternation with LAH, which is how he came into Adolf's favor + his book.) However he was not truly successful in this endeavor. [GD & LAH traded places every night, IIRC. The Nazis wildly publicized LAH, whereas GD was kept on the down low -- publicity wise. It's reduced profile HAD to piss off the army brass.]
Hans bad luck from "Die Hard"? 🤗😎
Tell me your ideas for people of WW2 who deserve more attention?
Hans von Luck
Thanks :) Good reminder
I wouldn't call it 'untold.' He wrote a book about his experiences.
Of course you are correct. I use the word colloquially here, to mean that for very many people his identity and story is unknown, so for them it hasn't been "told". One has to write the most compelling sales pitch or sadly be ignored on KZhead. I hope you can forgive some of my titles. I do my best to make the content I'm the video as factual as possible :)
@@FrontseatHistory His book was pretty good, and I'm glad to see he's getting recognition. He, Balck and Strachwitz don't get near the fame they deserved.
August von Mackensen .
Thanks. Do you know of any good sources?
A real HERO but for a WRONG CAUSE.
Yes. Unfortunately the few German heroes who did fight for the right cause and against the regime all had tragic endings.
Not prodigy -- protégé. Sheesh!
Did I make that mistake or you my friend ;)?