R.I.P. Sven Hassel

Day 1,772, 10:52 • Published in Romania Romania • by Raul Doru

Today, loosing time on the internet, i discovered a very sad piece of news. Five days ago, Sven Hassel, the hero of my school years, has gone into eternity...



"It is with a deep sorrow and a void in our hearts that we inform you of Sven Hassel’s passing, this Friday September 21st, at 95 years of age. Sven’s health had been deteriorating rapidly, especially in the last few days, and although he fought bravely till the end, his heart finally gave away. It lightens our grief to know that he is now finally at rest and reunited with his beloved wife.

Sven had a contagious laughter that came straight from the heart. He had an incredible will-force, which he at times carried with a serious expression, a product of surviving the horrors of war. But in reality this expression hid a soul full of passion for life and a child-like wonder, only a special few are able to keep in their adult life. He was a survivor, a fighter, a storyteller and a dreamer.

While Sven has left us behind to continue his journey onward, we will forever find the essence of him in his 14 books that narrate the story of his experiences in WWII along with his platoon and comrades of war. It was his hope that these books would depict the terrors of wars so that the younger generations would dedicate their lives to saving men and not destroying them."

All i can say is that i hope Sven finally have found the peace he so much desired in the WWII and that now he is drinking some beer and vodka with Porta, Tiny, the Legionnaire, Old Man, Heide, Gregor Martin, Barcelona-Blom and many other of his former comrades.

Rest In Peace Sven Hassel!