[Enterprise]

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.

[Captain Walker]

It's been 20+ years since I've read this book and if you caught the DOB in the book itself, you've got a pretty sharp eye; this is the first time I am hearing of this.

The site that oh8eleven links to states that Sajer was 16 when he volunteered to join the Wehrmacht in July of 1942; no DOB is provided in that article. (The article is discussing a debate about the veracity of Sajer's work.)

I couldn't take a side on this if I wanted to; this is the first time I am hearing that the book has been called into question.

Interestingly, Sajer died just a couple of days before his birthday last month.

actualitte.com

("Sajer" was his mother's maiden name which he adopted for use during his military service, as his mother was German and it fit better with the names of the Germans he served with; his family name was "Mouminoux".)