Book excerpt: A sobering portrait of the absurdity of the Nazi regime and the atrocities committed by Hitler's secret police. 'Frighteningly vivid, a most strongly felt piece of writing' IRISH TIMES After months of fighting a savage war on the Eastern Front, the 27th Penal Regiment - men considered little more than criminals - are joined by German reserves. A garrison has been attacked and occupied by Russian troops. The German soldiers have been slaughtered. Sven Hassel and his comrades are ordered to get behind Russian lines and massacre those responsible. But this is only the beginning... Because then the orders change: the regiment are sent to Hamburg, where their next assignment is guard duty for the mercilessly cruel Gestapo...