Another Bowl Of Kapusta: The True Life Story Of A World War Ii Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot And P.o.w. In Russia

Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Story
Review: Another Bowl Of Kapusta is a compelling story about one man's struggle against overwhelming odds. Today, sixty years later since becoming a World War II Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Mr. Dulias is now able to reflect back on his lifetime experiences both as a civilian in Germany, then in America, and also as having been a Prisoner of War in the Gulags of Russia. He shares his life story with you in a most personal way.


Rating:
Summary: Another Bowl Of Kapusta - A True Life Story
Review: This book can easily be read in two days. Like a Time Capsule it takes you back in time. It is about one man's survival through the rise, fall and aftermath of the Hitler Regime. Once a young boy with many hopes and dreams, he then became a young man and enlisted to become a World War II Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot. After five confirmed air victories his Me-109 (Messerschmitt) was shot down and he was forced to make a bellylanding. He was then captured and became a POW in the Gulags of Russia. He has lived in America for over fifty years and is now an Advisor and Re-Enactor with the newly formed group known as LARA (Luftwaffe Aircrew Re-Enactors Association). You may even be lucky to meet him at one of the ever popular World War II Weekends.

Rating:
Summary: Impeccable True Story
Review: This is a true story that will open your heart and your eyes about the humble beginning and gentleness of such a man born in a much simpler time. He was born as the middle child of five siblings, yet had a strict Prussian father as well as a loving mother and family. The story begins before the rise of Adolph Hitler. World events currently progress thru his growth into manhood, pilot training, the war years, a time for romance, and his exploits as a fighter pilot downing five enemy aircraft. It was a time when fighting men were considered to be tough as steel, in regards to fighting for the defense of the fatherland. This fighter pilot wanted no harm to his foe; only the destruction of their machines of war. Then he himself was downed by enemy ground fire while pursuing his sixth aerial foe that fateful day in March of 1945. Surviving only to become a Prisoner Of War led him through a death march, and starvation as thousands died while being held captive in the terrible Gulags of Russia. This skeleton of a man had to have a strong spiritual conviction as his testament of faith and survival. This book has proven to be superb reading cover-to-cover having a surprising and marvelous ending. Just the fact that one man's nightmares never ended until the book was written. I read the book in two evenings on weeknights. It was very hard breaking away from it's contents. I should have waited until the weekend and would have read it in it's entirety in one sitting. A lasting impression remains...by the haunting of a crying hare, which tells it all? Books like these make wonderful movies.


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Summary: LUFTWAFFE PILOT'S TESTIMONIAL
Review: While I'll admit the topic matter here is in my area of interest, I can also recommend this thoroughly engaging memoir to those seeking a story that will entertain, and at times break your heart. Told with frank honesty, it chronicles the life of a WW2 Luftwaffe ME-109 pilot, one Gottfried P. Dulias, from his life in pre-war Germany, to his life/Luftwaffe training under Hitler's rule, to his eventual capture and imprisonment by the Russians, and eventual release post-war. All makes for fascinating reading, and at times, one can laugh at his colorful remembrances of his first sexual experiences, marvel at his determination to join and excell in the German Air Force, feel the hopelessness of imprisonment late and post-war in a Russian Gulag...After his release, he married the love of his life, Hedi, and moved to the US to raise a family. Possibly the most touching aspect of this story is the rebirth of this man after he, while mourning the loss of his dear wife, is convinced to finally tell his story...Coming to terms with the severe loss of his once-prosperous life in Germany, the horror of the Gulags and his wife's untimely passing, one can feel hope, as Mr. Dulias starts to rebuild a life as an Author and advisor to WW2 Luftwaffe reenactors and Aircraft restorers. The book is impossible to put down, the story is in the same league as "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer. An excellent memoir for sure! What I liked the most about it is the feeling of hope, that after all the tragedy life throws your way, you can still rise above it and persevere. Also contains many photos and copies of documents to aid in the story-telling...not just for war-buffs, a story anyone can enjoy. SC

Rating:
Summary: Wunderbar (wonderful)
Review: Wonderfully told story, from growing up in pre WWll Germany then becoming part of the Luftwaffe, becoming and ace and being shot down while chasing his sixth by groung fire over ememy lines. And the horror's of the death march and
being imprisoned in the Russian Gulag. Surviving death and starvation every day. A true testament of the human spirit and the willingness to live. To his final release and coming to America to start a new life here. A must for those who like war stories, now here it from the other side as never told before in vivid detail. John Kunze Old Bridge NJ.