The book Private Zager, 71st Infantry Division, is the story of an infantry soldier and motor messenger in combat during WWII in Europe.
The story begins at Brooklyn Harbor when Raymond Zager is about to climb aboard a troop ship, destination France. A “Mr. War God” appears and accompanies him until the war's end.
There are many valuable stories to read before, during, and after combat. During his tour he meets Generals Eisenhower, Patton, and Manton S Eddy; the latter is based upon a prediction he made to Eddy’s family state-side, that he would meet him in Europe.
Battle stories: a one-to-one firefight, being strafed by German aircraft, under German artillery fire, under cross-fire and death.
Near war's end, a German concentration camp in Austria named Gunskirchen Lager is captured. Private Raymond Leeß Zager is the first soldier to break the gates and enter.
V.E. Day, Victory in Europe, May 8, l945: Zager and his best friend, Dick Colton, using Zager's jeep, find themselves in the middle of the 22nd Panser Division and at the mercy of S.S. officers.
After 46 years, in 1991, Zager returns to his first battle scene, Bitche, France. He is treated as a hero; shown the entire town including the off-limits Maginot Line, and awarded with a champagne dinner.
Mr. Zager published this memoir in 1999 after living with memories so strong and dreams plaguing him for more then 25 years – the fear of being killed, of being shot, stabbed or bayoneted. There was no way of getting rid of those dreams. As he says “ I do not intend, with the telling of these memories, to glorify the killing that continues today. But perhaps knowing more about the inner workings of a soldier, you will get your hands dirty and understand what it was like. And if this isn’t new to you, if you were there, I salute you.”
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