As a VN vet I experienced many extreme situations - but nothing even close to the horrors Sajer had to put up with. IMHO, I think the horrors of that campaign between the Germans and Soviets is almost unknown here in the US.
(BTW, you're much more familiar with the book than I am; I read it once 30+ years ago.)
I just finished reading The Forgotten Soldier. One small thing has bothered me about it though. The birthdate for Sajer is listed as January 13, 1927. Then, it is written that he joined the Wehrmacht in 1942, at age 16. This is not possible because of simple math. He would not have turned 16 until January 13, 1943. Have you come across an explanation for this discrepancy?
Otherwise, this is a fascinating book, and it is among many accounts of war which should be read in high schools.