Interview with Guenter Neugebauer
What is your name?
Neugebauer, Guenter
When and where were you born?
March 3, 1923 in Pampitz Circle Brieg Lower Silesia
How old were you when you fought in the Second World War?
I was drafted on August 11, 1941 and went to Lower Silesia to join to 15th Panzer-Division.
What part of the military were you in during the Battle of El Alamein?
33rd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 15th Panzer-Division
What was your rank and job in the military?
Corporal and Driver, Z.B.V.
How long were you in the service?
From August 11, 1941 to May 13, 1943. From May 14, 1943 I was in a Prisoner of War Camp in Roswell, New Mexico, Fort Sumner, Camp Perry Ohio Bowling Green, and Camp Fletcher.
What do you believe was the impact of the Battle of El Alamein?
I was released from the hospital on October 29th, 1942 and went into retreat.
Have you met Erwin Rommel? If so, what were your impressions of him?
Correct – Popular – A great Field Marshal. He led the fight from the front, was always with his soldiers.
What were your feelings towards the soldiers of the Allied Army?
I only dealt with the English. They were correct and fair, as we were too. I only know the Africa War. For me, the war was over on May 13, 1943. I was then a P.O.W.
In what other places and battles did you fight?
None.
After Rommel ordered the retreat at El Alamein, what did you do? Where did you go?
Prisoner of War. I was already in Roswell, New Mexico in June, 1943. Pik-Coton [Picking Cotton].
After the battle, did you believe that Germany still had a chance to win the war in North Africa?
We were happy it was over.
What happened to you after the Allies took back North Africa?
POW in Tunisia, Algeria, USA, England, and France to October 1948
Was the Battle of El Alamein an important part of your life? Why?
The beginning of the end of the war.
Were you in a tank during the war? If so, what was it like?
No, I drove most of the time with our commander.
What did you do after the war as a profession?
I worked with person accident insurance.
What was the biggest hardship you experienced in the battle, or in the war?
I was very unlucky. No vacations from the war.
My parents did not see me as a soldier.
What did the native people of North Africa think of you?
Generally good.
A Tunisian was a member of the German Afrika-Korps.
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Neugebauer, Guenter
When and where were you born?
March 3, 1923 in Pampitz Circle Brieg Lower Silesia
How old were you when you fought in the Second World War?
I was drafted on August 11, 1941 and went to Lower Silesia to join to 15th Panzer-Division.
What part of the military were you in during the Battle of El Alamein?
33rd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 15th Panzer-Division
What was your rank and job in the military?
Corporal and Driver, Z.B.V.
How long were you in the service?
From August 11, 1941 to May 13, 1943. From May 14, 1943 I was in a Prisoner of War Camp in Roswell, New Mexico, Fort Sumner, Camp Perry Ohio Bowling Green, and Camp Fletcher.
What do you believe was the impact of the Battle of El Alamein?
I was released from the hospital on October 29th, 1942 and went into retreat.
Have you met Erwin Rommel? If so, what were your impressions of him?
Correct – Popular – A great Field Marshal. He led the fight from the front, was always with his soldiers.
What were your feelings towards the soldiers of the Allied Army?
I only dealt with the English. They were correct and fair, as we were too. I only know the Africa War. For me, the war was over on May 13, 1943. I was then a P.O.W.
In what other places and battles did you fight?
None.
After Rommel ordered the retreat at El Alamein, what did you do? Where did you go?
Prisoner of War. I was already in Roswell, New Mexico in June, 1943. Pik-Coton [Picking Cotton].
After the battle, did you believe that Germany still had a chance to win the war in North Africa?
We were happy it was over.
What happened to you after the Allies took back North Africa?
POW in Tunisia, Algeria, USA, England, and France to October 1948
Was the Battle of El Alamein an important part of your life? Why?
The beginning of the end of the war.
Were you in a tank during the war? If so, what was it like?
No, I drove most of the time with our commander.
What did you do after the war as a profession?
I worked with person accident insurance.
What was the biggest hardship you experienced in the battle, or in the war?
I was very unlucky. No vacations from the war.
My parents did not see me as a soldier.
What did the native people of North Africa think of you?
Generally good.
A Tunisian was a member of the German Afrika-Korps.
Click here to return to Interviews page.