Presents the true story of Georg Rauch, an Austrian boy of Jewish ancestry who nonetheless was drafted into Hitler's army and forced to work as a radio operator on the Eastern Front.

"First published under the title: The Jew with the iron cross: a record of survival in WWII Russia, 2006."

Secrets in the attic -- The journey east -- Introduction to the trenches -- The hardest thing -- Marianovka : the first battle -- According to Haas -- A true Russian winter -- Into Romania -- Long hot summer on the Dniester -- Romanian respite -- The iron cross -- The last battle -- In Russian hands -- The events at Balti -- Kiev : Pushkin's request -- Encounter with a spoon -- The reluctant spy -- The German plot -- Homeward -- Vienna -- End of the odyssey.