Throughout World War II, German snipers were obliged to carry a 'Scharfshützen Buch' which recorded every kill. Each success noted had to be verified by a witness and signed by a superior officer. The journal of Sutkus is one of only a few such books to have survived the war. It records more than 200 kills, placing him as one of the war's most successful snipers. A large part of his journal is reproduced for the first time here. As a Hitler Youth member his skill as a marksman was quickly noted and, in July 1943, aged 19, he was drafted into the Wehrmacht. A month later he was sent on a five month sniper's course in Wilna, after which he was posted to the Eastern Front. He was so successful that his superiors sent him to crucial positions. Despite his age, he was regarded as one of Germany's best snipers and in November 1944 he was awarded the Scharfshützenabzeichen 3 Stufe ? the highest award for a sniper. After being wounded in January 1945, Sutkus was given time to recuperate away from the Eastern Front. During this time he met a Red Cross nurse, to whom he gave all his journal. When the war finished, Sutkus was forced to join the Red Army. He deserted to join the Lithuanian resistance fighters. After being captured again he was tortured by the KGB and deported to Siberia to endure forced labour. It was not until the collapse of the Soviet Union that he was able return to Germany and find his journal, still in the hands of the same nurse. AUTHOR: Bruno Sutkus was born in Tannewalde, East Prussia on 14 May 1924. While serving with the Wehrmacht's 68th Infantry Division he was awarded numerous medals, including the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, the Infantry Assault Badge, the Wound Badge (silver) and Sniper's Badge (gold). After his time in Siberia he was welcomed in Lithuania as a hero and advised their army on sniping skills. He died in Germany on 29 August 2003. SELLING POINTS: ? An honest first-hand account of a German sniper on the Eastern Front ? Fully supported by contemporary documents and photographs ? A rare insight into the life of one of the war's most successful snipers ILLUSTRATIONS 50 pages of illustrations *
