The Other Trench: The WW1 Diary and Photos of a German Officer

A German officer's firsthand, day-by-day WWI diary - Unedited - Once Forgotten - Now Revealed

As featured by the BBC (TV, Radio & Online)

In 1914, Lt. Alexander Pfeifer left behind his career, family, and future to serve as a company commander in one of the most elite and utilised units of the Imperial German Army - the 11th Kurhessian Jäger Battalion. Over the next four years, he fought in some of World War I's fiercest battles across France, the Carpathians (Eastern Front), and the Italian Alps. But what makes his story different is that he wrote about everything and took his camera with him:

"This diary is not just a recollection of experiences written down after the war... These are literally the experiences I wrote down each day - A genuine reflection of the fight against enemy and nature." - Lt. Pfeifer

Now published for the first time after being hidden for over 100 years, "The Other Trench" presents Pfeifer's full wartime diary - raw, honest, and untouched - alongside more than 300 original photographs and 8 maps. Co-authored by his English great-great-grandson, this book intertwines first-hand testimony with modern research and family discovery, offering a powerful new perspective on the war.

Inside the Book:

• Lt. Pfeifer's translated wartime diary from 1914 to 1918, unedited and fully authentic
• Pfeifer's journey from platoon leader to a respected stormtrooper company commander
• Over 200 rare WWI photos taken by Pfeifer himself
• Eyewitness accounts from the Western, Eastern, and Italian fronts
• Detailed battle coverage: Loos, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Caporetto, and many more
• Modern-day connections: stories behind items and the letters from the fallen returned to descendants.
• Narrations, research, and stories that shed light on the Germans and also the opposing sides of the war.

Author: Alexander Pfeifer,Philipp Cross
Publisher: True Perspective Press
Published: 09/10/2024
Pages: 348
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.07lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.72d
ISBN: 9781068609800

About the Author
Pfeifer, Alexander: - "Alexander Pfeifer (1880 - 1966) originated from Weida, Germany, having derived from a wealthy family of textile manufacturers. He joined the German 12th Royal Saxon Jaeger Battalion at the age of 20 and reached the rank of sergeant after four years, later becoming a reserve. In 1914, he was called up for military service and became a highly decorated company commander within the 11th Kurhessian Jaeger Battalion, taking part in four years of war on the Western, Eastern, and Italian Fronts. He is the author and photographer of his very detailed wartime diary and photo collection, which are depicted in the book, 'The Other Trench'. After the war, Alexander became a family man. He also managed his family's textile business, and after his death, his wartime diary and recollections were passed on to his descendants and remain preserved to this day."Cross, Philipp: - Philipp Cross is the co-author, translator, and editor of the book, 'The Other Trench'. He is the great-great-grandson of Alexander Pfeifer, the primary author and highly decorated German veteran of the Great War, whose war diaries this book is based on. Philipp was born in Germany to an English father and a German mother, and he grew up in Lancashire, England, where he lives to this day. Having always been interested in history, which stemmed from his family's unique origins and inheritances, he enjoys genealogy research, writing, coin collecting and metal detecting. As well as being a husband, he has a degree in Exercise & Nutrition and also has a background in music, bodybuilding, and health and fitness.