Hello, dear friends, we will look
today at the diary of Lieutenant Brand, an officer of the Wehrmacht. His diary goes
from June 28, 1943. The year he considers "the darkest year in all German history".
And such observations are not unreasonable: the great military failures on the Eastern
front accompanied by the massive bombardment of large German cities by British-American
aviation. The result was huge civilian losses and severe destructions. The diary shows
well the decline in soldiers' morale caused by these and related events. There was a
visible shadow of disaster over Germany. However, the German war machine was still
holding on, resisting the countering with stubbornness and cruelty.
According to his diary notes, Lieutenant Brand's unit was part of Army Group
"South," acting in the Donbass region. Its leading line of deeply layered defense was
along the Seversky Donets and Mius rivers. So now let us begin.
June 28, 1943. A beautiful season is going by without
any large missions. What I hope is that the Russians are not taking advantage of
these long months for a premature attack. As of yesterday, there have been large
tank divisions movements in our area. Perhaps that will result in a local encirclement
at least. The gardens and fields here are in full bloom. The pumpkins, cabbage, potatoes, and
sunflowers are like nothing we have ever seen in Germany…
June 30. In our area large army movements keep taking
place. Tank divisions move north to Kharkov area. I cannot say whether I am seeing
preparations for a German offensive or just expecting a large Russian offensive;
it seems to me to be the latter option... July 1. None of the Russian counter-offensive that was
expected for several days seems to have worked out yet. However, the movements of our forces
continue. The Russian aircraft attack on our village tonight was heavy.
Again, another six months has passed without any action at all.
Our winter losses will not be over for a long time to be recovered. Serious military action by our
side is barely possible, because everything is in deficit. Moreover, the British are ruining another
German town after another. And the situation in Germany is bad. We cannot hope for an improvement.
At every time I am horribly angry thinking of the result, we have achieved in the fourth year of the
war. I have no doubt that a lot of this would have been avoided if our leadership and our men had
not been so foolish and arrogant. It makes me feel angry when I think of all the foolish statements
that were made over the last few years. Our own propaganda has got us caught in its trap. And this
despite such magnificent military victories, such valiant heroism and sacrifice. Now we are again in
an unknown condition, as in the First World War, with no hope for any improvement. While the ideas,
wishes, and beginnings were all good. There was a German spring rising over Europe. But the carrying
out of all plans more and more ended up in the hands of idiots and bureaucrats. The mediocrity
grew in full bloom and consequently failed to tolerate any kind of criticism. Now it stands on
the road to collapse and does not know what to do. The Great Idea, then, has been affected by
this and is slowly dying. Now there will be a final battle for the German dream,
for the dreams of a good thousand years. July 2. A beautiful summer day. The sunflowers are in
bloom, but there is no happiness. Köln is again heavily damaged. Every old German, cultural
treasure is going to be wiped out... While we can only do our duty - everyone in his place
and sometimes to raise our voice in warning, above all we must continually summon for endurance
and try to increase the power of our resistance. Many times, I look at my son's picture. Where will
he go in life? Would he want to become a soldier? July 3. It is often that I think about the confrontation
of these two great worldviews, National Socialism and Bolshevism. Would it absolutely be necessary
for them to tear each other apart? Would it be impossible for them to get along together? Are
the contradictions between them really that deep? Would not future generations have
great difficulties in trying to find the contradictions that did actually
exist among this mountainous pile of lies? Would idealism really be finally destroyed in
this war? Would American or European-Russian materialism win the upper hand? This
is something I will never believe in my life. In that case the world would lose its
last glory, and life would lose its sense.... Fourth of July. I repeated a report about German history in
the divisional school today. The commander and gentlemen from the division came
to attend. The SS division "Viking" is again here with us. It is obvious
that our offensive is about to begin, I guess we will soon have to give them ground in
the village of Metchebelovka in the next few days. July 5. "The Vikings insist and rush. There are long
discussions with their cheeky billeting officers. We will go, obviously, only if we are ordered
to. I guess it will be as early as tomorrow. July 6. Our offensive to the north of Kharkov began
yesterday. That is what at least is being told by the SS men of the "Viking" division,
who were based here again two days ago. I hope this is true. This year we have had enough
of it. Something has to be done about it. The officers from the SS Division seem surprised
at the pessimism in our division. What they always forget is how much better conditions
they are facing in comparison to us. Their very sight arouses in our tired,
exhausted soldiers a feeling of true class hatred. What few remnants of men might be found
in Germany joined our forces. They have gathered the best human material in all of Europe.
Each of their sergeants would be a feldsfebel here. And they drink and enjoy themselves,
while our soldiers are often very hungry. Nevertheless, the SS soldiers rob and take away
everything from the locals impudently, while we spend all our time proclaiming and actually
carrying out our friendship with the Ukrainians. In our society every little misconduct is
severely punished, and even the officers (as lately) are immediately imprisoned in a
fortress, and the SS are always kept without punishment. Which is why Russians do not
hate anyone as much as they hate the SS. July 9. After dinner I visited the SS division
"Viking. Would I be 5 or 10 years younger, I probably would have joined the SS, would
have been the SS-Führer. Sure, they are very narrow-minded and overly optimistic, but they
are still the life of a new young Germany. With more discipline and a stronger focus on
German ethical basics, a great deal is possible to make of their superb human material...
There are the first Russian leaflets about our offensive to the north of Kharkov. In
general, they contain distorted reports of our summaries with numerous times repeated
threats to bring us a new Stalingrad. July 10. It rained heavily yesterday and today, with
frequent lightning storms. I hope this does not harm our offensive. The SS "Viking" Division
marched out last night, presumably to participate in the military operations.
July 12. Americans landed in Sicily. It must be
hoped that they can be thrown into the sea before long. We must keep Italy
if we hope to hold off the Balkans... July 16.
...We are again on alert and awaiting. By day and night tank divisions
are moving past us. We are all full of anxiety and expectancy. In our area, as well as in the
Russian area, the largest troop movements are going on just behind the front line. The situation
between Belgorod and Orel is still unclear. July 17.
A big Russian offensive began yesterday in our division's territory. Their
main attack was on the southern flank between the villages of "Petrovskaya" and "Izyum". There,
our 457th Regiment was heavily beaten after the first attack. In the north, the Russians attacked
with three or four divisions, after crossing the Donets River by two bridges and wading. They had
managed to get deep into our positions everywhere. They surrounded several villages and companies.
The battles were violent, the state of affairs was extremely serious. My 466th Regiment was
originally behind, being in the army reserve, and was unharmed by the first attack. By noon the
situation was more serious, and we were engaged. Serious battles continued without a break.
We are already getting reports of the first losses. All day long big units of German aircraft
are active. SS division "Viking" is moved back to our area to be the reserve. Throughout the
day there was terrible mess, negotiations, calls, and orders. Our battalion covers the
Division Command Post, under serious danger. They have even thrown into the fight a company
of recovering men who just arrived from Germany last night. (They have one rifle for three men.)
After the noon negotiations between our Operations Department and the Operations Department of the
Viking Division, which is reluctant to advance as they should. The Russians are getting more
and more fortified, however. The behavior of them is frustrating to me. Well, we will see
what the state of affairs will be tomorrow. Night and day the hard fighting goes on. The
powerful units of Russian aircraft attacked us, also bombarding all the rear lines. There were
many air battles. The Russian got reinforcements and attacked again stubbornly and heavily. His
losses were very high, but so were our losses. Many of my familiars and friends were already
dead. For our division it was the second very difficult day, ending, unfortunately, not
as successfully for us as we all hoped. The local Russian breaking out, however, has been
put down everywhere, but the enemy always gets reinforcements and fights hard and violently.
There are no more reserves in our division. All of the men, up to the last unit, are in service.
The Viking Division was attacking with tanks only at first, the 466th Regiment is disbanded, the
remnants are integrated into the 457th Regiment. We hope it goes better tomorrow. Since I do not
consider my post as Battalion Adjutant critically necessary due to our heavy officer losses, I
have requested the Colonel to call me off... July 19. Another day of shifting battles. There were heavy
losses among officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. As well, our field reserve
battalion also suffered heavy losses. All the last reserves of the battalion
headquarters with all the supplies were moved to the front lines. By night we go through
the villages of Grushevakha and Kamyshevakha, which are exposed to heavy bombardment.
The wagon train is located in the village of Petropolye. There is heavy gunfire, four
horses are dead. There is real air fighting. July 20. In the morning liaison was set up with the 457th
Regiment. The field reserve battalion, despite the heavy losses suffered yesterday, stays in the
fight. There was a tank attack by the Russians. It was beaten off, but with heavy losses for us...
July 21. A large Russian attack with tanks broke out early
in the morning. Both of our division commanders were missing. There were Russians marching
from the east, from the south, and from the west. I managed to calm and straighten out a
few of our infantrymen and force a few gunners to return to their guns... Because the Russians
were obviously afraid of a counter-attack by us, they were bombarding us all day long
today with their artillery guns. Sadly, we had heavy losses. Shrapnel from shells got
me, too, in my arm and in the back of my body. Even so, life is pleasurable again. That you
know why you are here and it all makes sense. July 22. Tireless violent gunfire on our positions.
There are a lot of direct hits. Regretfully, we have almost no places to hide. We are lying
on the ground like fish on sand. The Russians are wasting a huge amount of ammunition.
Regretfully, we have high losses again... July 23.
The rain is pouring down without any interruption, combined with continuous artillery and mortar
attacks, and it is totally overwhelming. Trying to take cover in the ground, which is hard
as a rock. There is no easy way to do it. There are very heavy losses again. No hope
for rotation, as all units of the division are in fighting (even the rear services)
and nearly all of them are badly battered. The SS division "Viking" has also gradually joined
to reinforce our forces and therefore they are no more reserves. We have not enough forces to
get the whole area cleaned out, unfortunately, and that is why we are not advancing to the
Donets. In our hands there are absolutely no reserves at all. However, the situation was
not critical by any means, because our men were fighting outstandingly. What seriously hurt
us was the unsettled situation in some areas, caused (as, for example, recently from our left)
by the weak nerves of some of the commanders. In the late evening a strong Russian offensive
from the right and left after a lethal artillery run. The Russian had been trying for hours
to separate us from the rear. As with a fist, we struck at his positions. During these critical
moments I am always thankful to my fate that I am an officer, that I have authority over the people
and that I can have a calming effect on them or, as today, a threatening effect on them.
The Russians are suffering heavy losses, although they have more people than we do, and
they have a beastly amount of ammunition. I have never seen such fire as I saw these days in the
entire war. Oh, if only we had our army from 1941! July 24. There are strong artillery attacks, not many
Russian tanks. The Russians fire without tiring. The entire day negotiations with the
artillerymen and preparing for a counter-attack. The mysterious woman in black clothes turns up
on nobody's land a few minutes before the start. Is she a spy?
July 28. Considerable losses again by bombardment. The dead and wounded. Because of the
tightness in the dugouts and trenches, all are in an annoyed mood (also the officers).
Finally, at 9 o'clock we had a rotation... August 1. After a tough feeling, I often get a kind of
hangover. In my mind I think of our huge losses, how many people from our battalion were dead,
and most of them we could not even bury. It is only on the last day that I remembered
with terrible feeling that we did not give any of them a kind word or a prayer. There was
no longer any way for us to determine where each of them lays without the possibility of
taking a soldier's book or an identification marker from them. There was not even
water to wash off the corpse poison. And what to think of the torment of the
wounded! Instead, our first duty was to stand up and fight off the Russian attacks.
The Russians were also badly battered. But they are able to pull out a
huge number of vehicles now. If only our own army had not been reduced so
terribly in two winters! All the senseless losses! The time is just now when we could have
completed the eastern campaign, but we have no troops for that purpose now. The losses among the
officers of the division are particularly heavy. There is only necessity and the sense of duty that
keeps us going. The desperation makes us strong and indestructible. So happy are those who died in
Poland and in France - they believed in victory... August 2. ...The Italian tragedy is happening at an
extremely fast pace. It was expected for a long time, but it was not supposed that
the Italians would react to it so calmly. Mussolini has always had a certain sympathy
for me, but his resignation I do not entirely understand. Any dictator who finally retreats
is disgusting to me. It is cowardly to talk for decades and then abandon your people to
their greatest disaster. So now the Italians would probably throw stones at him, then
in a few years they would honor him again, and in a few decades, they would seek to implement
his program again. The fall of Mussolini is a hard stroke for us, "Le commencement de
la fin" ("The Beginning of the End») … August 3. Our losses can be explained
by remembering that we had to withstand hurricane fire of at least 40
batteries and a mortar regiment. Moreover, about 100 enemy planes flew in every day. We
have right to be proud of our defense. However, it was still the first time the Russians
decided to advance in the summer. August 4. Till 1933 Russia was a secondary country. And it
is only as a result of the confrontation with us that it achieved its present greatness and power.
As long as the Russians succeed in getting us out of their country, and we are actually only
occupying the periphery of the country now, the power of Russia will grow in strength. It was
we ourselves who gave Russia the opportunity to become so significant in Europe. If
the Russians fight off this attack, then there is nobody who will be strong
enough to resist them for many decades. But if fortune is with us, we could get a strong
foothold in the extensive areas between our frontier and Russian territory itself. A question
remains as to whether we could not have got them through skillful politics at a cheaper cost,
without war and those huge losses. At any rate, on June 22, 1941 we made Germany an indebted nation
of Russia for decades, maybe even for centuries. There was a big air attack by the Russian
air-bombers in the evening. They hit one "Junkers" and burned it down. The heavy bombardment
of Hamburg again. That is way too much! It is evident that 1943 is about to be
the darkest year in all German history. August 5. From the distance we hear the gunfire again.
Moreover, there is an active Russian airplane movement. I just hope the enemy does not advance
any more. We are way too tired. Adding to the dark news, we have given up the Orel. Two years ago, I
participated in the taking of that city. I got the Iron Cross 2nd Class at that time. It is ironic
that exactly today they awarded me the Iron Cross, 1st class! It took almost two years for my
old Division to get defended in this city after retreating in 1941-1942. Leaving this
city, or more correctly, giving it up to the enemy is a heavy blow to us. Defeats are
increasing and a way out is not visible. August 6. The SS division "Viking" once again
marches through our area. They are heading to Kharkov this time. On their
way from the Mius River. In this way for weeks our very few reserves are being
relocated right behind the front line here and there. To undertake anything serious,
we do not have enough forces anymore... August 7. ... By morning the Russians were bombing
our positions and the passing SS troops. It was a dreadful scene: the wounded, the dead.
There was shrill screaming, great confusion, and all around there were fire and shell-holes. It
was going on every 2-3 hours. That evening I was in the Division, in the Regiment and in the old
Battalion. I saw the same things on all the roads. On more than once we had to stop our vehicle and
look for shelter in the ditches. This time the enemy got us everywhere. Confused soldiers and
civilians are encountered on the way we go... August 8. The air attacks are relentless. It is hard to
dare to climb out of the dugout. This day, despite this, I have gone for a swim and have spent
half an hour in the water of a terrifying air attack. The passing SS also got badly affected.
There is a criminal act of irresponsibility: there is no cover, they are going on the fourth
day without anti-aircraft support. The political and military state of affairs is still very sad.
It is such a long time since we have heard any good news! After Orel - Belgorod. On top of that,
the heavy battles for Kharkov are going on again. In other areas of the Eastern front
battles are again breaking out. The losses of the Russians must be huge,
to be sure, but we suffer badly, too. August 14. On August, 10 I was re-assigned to the Regiment
in accordance with the order of the Division... ...The Russian Army keeps on firing at our
positions with heavy gunfire and mortar fire. We have a good position, but our forces
are extremely small. The soldiers are bravely keeping up their courage, but in their minds,
they are at home. Within the next few days another large Russian advance is expected.
But all this is nothing compared to what is happening in the homeland. My thoughts have been
consumed by this for many weeks now. Hamburg is the one who suffers the most. Berlin is probably
going to face the same fate, and we can do nothing to save it or help it. It depresses us all beyond
belief, makes us paralyzed by all our energies. All our defensive successes notwithstanding,
Germany is in a terrible condition. August 15. ... The front is a bit more anxious than usual
... the Russian soldiers are dropping phosphorus bombs every night ... The fine weather makes
people think of the peace. I rarely hear so many rumors and guesses as now. All are trying to make
themselves believe that a happy end of the war is at hand. We conduct the policy of the ostrich
and we are still deceiving ourselves. Anyway, I refuse to believe that this war will last for
another four years, either. But which end would that be? What possible way could it be? Politics
is now everybody's concern. Some are worried about the future of Germany, others about the
destruction of their personal property, some think about the awful ravages in their homeland, others
think about the annihilation of cultural objects. The British and Americans have destroyed
more art and cultural treasures in Germany and Italy so far than all that both nations
have made and will ever make in this field. A decisive question for Germany now would be
if it is able to keep itself and its identity, even if only in a broken condition, caught in
the grip between Bolshevism and Americanism. August 16. Outside there is relentless rain. Poor soldiers
in their dugouts. But the victims of the bombs are more unfortunate, wandering all over the
world with nothing to lose. A mad anger takes over me again, which turns even to hatred of the
government. Our poor nation! All of us have lost the ability to laugh. Nevertheless, we must stand,
and we will stand. A nation that withstands such difficulties and sufferings, that is ready to
sacrifice so much without becoming hopeless, cannot help living unless these
fools finally destroy it ... August 18. There began the advance at the village of Izyum.
Within the first two days the Russian soldier even managed to achieve some successes.
The infantry of the Russians is told to have been considerably better this time.
There is a big and decisive question: does the Russian army consciously hold back
its best forces for the winter advance or is it really exhausted and good stuff happens only as an
exception? My fear, however, is that we can expect everything from them. On this point we should
not deceive ourselves with false expectations. Only if we had our army of 1941! This battle in
Russia would be coming to an end now. Assuming we had managed to make it through the winter,
we could have some perspectives by the spring. Anything depends on our
endurance and on the homeland. Sicily is lost, though that is somewhat expected, but it is a heavy hit because the island
is considered a part of Europe already. The most serious questions for the future are:
What will happen to Italy and the Balkans, are we able to keep them? Are we able to stop
the bombardments of our homeland, will our homeland hold out? Finally, I got a letter from
Elizabeth. Her entire property had been lost. And what remains is in extreme danger. Meanwhile,
as before, we cherish every item. Each soldier's thoughts go back to his homeland throughout
the day. But still, they keep their courage and endurance. If the confidence in victory is low,
the desire to fight to the end persists. It is the guarantee of the eternal existence of our nation.
With these soldiers Germany will never fall. August 19. Now I feel very lonely and homesick.
In addition, there is a perpetual worry about family and property, and even
more about Germany and its future... The Russian soldier is comparatively inactive,
but we have still 1-3 men killed every day. August 23. The Russians get more restless. Our Battalion
is again participating in violent defensive battles and suffering heavy losses...
In the morning the Russians were rejoicing in their trenches. At
that they were waving red flags, what we thought was that they were preparing
for an attack. But nothing ever happened. As it turns out, we had given up on Kharkov.
It was another heavy strike. While fighting in all areas of the front continues with
unrelenting intensity. Our soldiers even suggest that the city of Stalino seems to be
abandoned too. It thickens the atmosphere. The year 1943 will evidently be the most shocking
year in German history. Whoever had to suffer so many losses and severe damages to one nation in
so short a period of time! And the bombardments of Germany go on and on. Everywhere there is not a
ray of hope for the Germans. In the meantime, not everyone understands the situation. We are facing
a frightening picture of the future of our people. August 24. All of us are enjoying the last fine summer days.
Everyone does not want to worry about winter, but we are already preparing for it. The losing
of Kharkov should affect our part of the front as well. To the south, near the city of Izyum,
there are fierce battles. The Russians are quite restless at our side as well. The air attacks
have intensified again. Besides, the bombardment of Berlin has weighed everyone down. Elisabeth
and I might easily find ourselves broke after this war. Besides, we are tied to our belongings.
Maybe my mind is too much of a pessimist. But if only there was something I could do to help,
or anything I could do to make a difference! The suffering grows to extraordinary levels, and
the government is forced to stand by idly. So here is Germany after ten years of National Socialism
and after four years of war! Not what we wanted. August 25. Himmler is Minister of the Interior! Everything
is progressing according to the plan. We keep following the path that has been preordained.
"The end of destiny is unavoidable." To question whether this assignment is really capable of
giving the millions of victims of the bombing a cheerfulness and encouraging them to further
firmness may now become dangerous... All the same, our people were never so ready to fight and to
sacrifice and were never so enthusiastic as on the edge of the fifth year of the war. Better now
not to talk about politics and our worries about Germany. But is that really a way to chase
away disturbing thoughts. Here the Russian is very restless. Near Izyum our counter-attacks,
supported by the dive-bombers, have begun. There is heavy firing which is heard. Several of our
men are disabled. In case we have to pull back, we have moved our supply wagon further to the
rear and take measures to be on the safe ground. August 26. There is heavy gunfire again. The Russians
are operating with phosphorus again. It is the first time that our artillery has stirred
up for a long time as well. Because many units have withdrawn in recent days, our artillery,
with increased gunfire, is trying, apparently, to make an impression of a tight front. What is
strange is that while in the north and south of us everything is on fire and loud, in our area of
the front it is comparatively quiet. For the sake of killing time, I keep writing. Is that why I do
it, though? To be honest, it has become a pleasant daily activity for me for a long time now. I have
nobody to share my thoughts and my cares with. Lots of people, even clever ones, consider the
mere hint of such thoughts as something dangerous, something that could be a national crime. There
is something that makes me think until the end, to understand the cause. But the last conclusions
I do not dare to confide even to my diary... September 1. It was four years ago that this tragedy
began. A drama that became a tragedy. They had put me at the head of a regimental
supply wagon with 100 men and 180 horses, I am 30 kilometers away from the front. September 4. Here in the rear area, the days run
by fast. Plenty of work and worry. It meant that I had to be in charge of
accommodation, supplies and allocations, creating commandant's offices,
arranging hunts for partisans. I also had to relocate from the village of Ryzhova
to the village of Chervonny Shpil and re-organize the local defense. At that, it rained for two
days in a row, the roads were totally swept away, and we had to withstand heavy air attacks
by the Russians both yesterday and today... In the political arena there is only sad news.
The British have landed in Italy. After the fall of Orel and Kharkov - Taganrog was given up. In
the cities of Stalino and Slavyansk preparations for the evacuation go on, and even Poltava
they say is in danger. They bombed Berlin again. May the fates be merciful towards us...
All the units not engaged in fighting and the evacuation of civilians in our area continue to be
relocated to the rear. Everything assumes the form of running away, although the front still holds
out. Necessary preventive measures actually take place too hurriedly. The agricultural heads
have to turn in their inventory before they have completed the harvest and threshing.
By doing so, Germany will get a little. The roads are full of refugees, along with all
their belongings and families. A convenient moment for partisans and strays. We took the Germans
who live in Ryzhov and the areas around it to the railroad and moved them to the other side
of the Dnepr. It was on this occasion that I visited Bespalizev, seeing amazing pictures. The
world is on fire from the Volga to the Atlantic. September 5.
That it is a pity that the fields remain unharvested!
We will not get out of this struggle against the Russian land and Russian nature as winners. There
are so many children, so many women, and they all have babies, and all bring results, despite the
war and looting, despite the ruins and death! We are fighting here not against the people,
but against the nature. But then again, I have to confess to myself that this land
is getting nicer and nicer to me every day. Even the communist idea does not yet
finally lose its power of attraction, which I notice from time to time among the
soldiers and from day to day among the Russians. This is the revenge of existence, which I have
been waiting for since the beginning of this war. The village is full of long, pained shouts. And
there is an evacuation of the people. There is not much they can carry with them. It is such a pity
the fields are still full of unharvested crops! September 7. The news of sorrow grows more and more often.
We have given up Slavyansk. This is followed by Stalino and Gorlovka. It is clear that we
will lose all of Eastern Ukraine with Donbass. The fortifications before the bridge on the
Kuban also cannot be kept, and the Battle for Crimea will start up again. The ground that we
are now missing, we will never get back. Do we intend to give back all the territory we have
captured in Russia? Is this necessary? Was it not better to propose it to Stalin as payment
for peace without a struggle? Such measures are half-hearted. We would surely keep the front line
here. Until December or January, in fact, there will be no danger to us... Sad news is becoming
more frequent. We have surrendered the city of Slavyansk. It will be followed by Stalino and
Gorlovka. Obviously, we will lose all of eastern Ukraine with Donbass. The fortifications in front
of the bridge on the Kuban cannot be held either, and the battle for Crimea will begin again. What
we are now losing, we will never get back. Are we really going to give back all the territory
we have conquered in Russia? Is there any need for that? Would it not be better to offer it
without a fight to Stalin as payment for peace? These are half measures. We would certainly have
held the front here. Until December or January, in fact, there is no danger to us. The second
front is giving a bad feeling already now. Furthermore, it gives the impression that the
British can capture Southern Italy unopposed. Our retreat is everywhere and we can still
do it. But soon we will reach the frontier. And the constant bombardment of Germany. The
one thing everybody is hoping for now is the long-announced attack on Britain. I hope only that
it will happen! In case it will not, it is over. Nothing is left for us but the hope of a miracle. September 8.
... The civilians of the village were evacuated, but our supply wagon was shifted to 120 km away
to the rear, closer to the Dnepr. What a strange feeling it is to be suddenly found alone in an
area that has been abandoned. There are dogs and cats howling, because they are dying of hunger,
hens with chickens wandering around. The chickens and roosters we slaughtered all. There were way
too many of them. All the harvest remained in the fields. The sunflowers around are so numerous that
we would be able to provide oil for a small city. It was a pity to see the rye, potatoes and corn
disappearing in vain. Also, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and thousands of pumpkins. A village has
barns full of oats, barley, rye and millet. It is all threshed, but it is impossible to get it out.
We could provide food for Berlin for a year using everything that is left here. It makes your
blood curdle when you go through the fields The civilians can only take a small part of
their belongings with them. All the roads are loaded with property as it is. Some of the
people are hiding in the cornfields, they do not want to leave. And in all this chaos, the
Russian aircraft can find their targets easily. The misery of the civilians is very severe. The
moans of women and the cries of children can be heard all around. At the same time, they are
crying and singing monotonous lamenting songs. While listening to these cries, the Germans
think of Germany, suffering even worse. What a lot of valuable things have been
ruined there! In my mind is our Berlin apartment. There were so many beautiful
items, pictures, furniture, books. September 9.
I send the last military property out of our warehouses, and I regret
greatly that I have no transport for supplies. And yet the front is getting closer. After giving
up Stalino, it is hard to resist the advance of the Russians. Yet our positions are advantageous,
and the enemy advances not by the largest forces. No one would have imagined that its summer
offensive could be so successful! A poor Germany. The severe knocks of fate follow rapidly one after
the other. I wish that change would come.... Oh, when will humanity, or old Europe at least, have
its peace to work with! And when will we finally get to build our homes and garden again?..
We have just got the news of the unconditional capitulation of Italy. It is sunny, but I wish the
earth could be covered in darkness... The last act of tragedy has begun. A dark and heavy winter is
ahead of us. There will now be hurried retreats... Poor Germany! Is this the end after so much
struggling? It must not happen. Our useless politicians should have been kicked out
a long time ago. The price we pay for their foolishness. But Germany has to live and
keep all its rights. No matter what the cost, we must hold out. Germany, our motherland!
What a beautiful world we saw when we were still full of hopes for the great tomorrow of our
country. In Europe there was a spring of nations, and Germany advanced a new great idea...
But the Germans found themselves the victim of their own successes. As they became vain and
conceited, our leaders no longer knew the measure. Hitler is a great figure. What he lacks is depth
and vision. He is an amateur in practically all areas... Perhaps only in politics did he reach
the peak of his development. But there too he has been hindered by his personal dogmas.
It appears that he is a bad judge of people, and therefore he was derailed by
the Byzantines and the flatterers. It was fatal for him that he did not have
sensible, wide-eyed and competent collaborators. Göring is probably the most popular of all our
Führers. A man of practice and good sense, he is neither a theorist nor a dogmatist. We can rely
on him and on his energy. But he also steps over corpses. Throughout the war he has retreated far
into the background. Will his star rise or fall, it depends on many factors and persons.
Himmler is not a clean sheet of paper, like it seems to some naive people. Nothing
but his actions speak for themselves. We can judge his convictions by his appearance.
He must not be missed. The way he is going to follow will be closely related to the way
Germany follows for a long time ahead. Goebbels is very smart and very cunning. He is as
dodgy as an old-time intelligence man. However, he is a small person, not an extraordinary
genius. Many times, he behaves against his conscience and beliefs - a backdoor politician,
a third-class man. A proletarian Talleyrand. Roust is a mediocre member of the Council of
Public Enlightenment and a more than mediocre Minister. His posture, his manner of
acting and speech are alike Hitler, but with no ideas of his own, he is a
known alarmist, an insignificant figure. Funk is a wonderful economic manager. He does
not have exactly an Aryan look; he is clumsy and unattractive. A beautiful soul can barely be
hidden in such a body. He has a financial economic strategy - a typical gambling game. He does
not think very far ahead. It may be suggested that his criminal carelessness and unreasonable
optimism were the reason why the war happened. Ley, in appearance similar to Funk, also conceited
and selfish. Evidently made from the same cloth. He has a rather basic mental faculty. He is a
very mediocre arranger and a very poor orator. Ribbentrop is Mr. Comilfo of the
Third Reich. Empty exterior and not much context. No doubt he is
poorly educated. The man has no idea of the great sets of issues
in Eastern and Southern Europe, and as regards the West and the Anglo-Saxon
states, he has absolutely nothing to say here. A parvenu that learned something in Britain, and
yet a person with no real education or any depth. In addition to them, there are a whole mess of
mediocre assistants and bureaucrats who imitate and woo the " great ones " by all means. What
affects this generation horribly is the hard, bloody losses of the First World War. Moreover,
in the military sphere - there is not a single big person, except Rommel. Nevertheless, our nation
is strong, prepared to make sacrifices and will be able to endure similar periods of mediocrity
and powerless standing on the spot. We must only withstand the war. May the fates be merciful
to us. One day we should be fortunate, too. I wish we were powerful enough to defeat
the Americans in a brave counter-strike into the Mediterranean Sea and finally
begin the operations against Britain, which we were so long promised. Surely then the
state of affairs would change radically again, and we might brave a new attack in the Donetsk
Region this spring. Then it would not be enough to expect a beneficial peace by the coming autumn.
Only a question is do we have that many forces. September 10. Everywhere the villages and countryside are in
flames. It is such a disaster that we could not keep this land, which is so fertile, for at least
a month longer. I have managed, despite all the trouble, to push our supply wagon further to the
rear by 150 kilometers, and now I am ready to move in any minute when I get the order to follow it.
We are in Nikolaevsk, a large village of colonists, nearby Novo-Moskovsk. It is also
not far to Dnepropetrovsk now. For me it was an excitement and at the same time a painful trip.
There were fertile fields and flowering villages. And then again, endless columns of refugees, as
well as many retreating regiments. Sometimes there were wild scenes of fleeing and mess. It always
takes more blood and property to retreat than it does to advance. For what reason is there such
a rush? No danger for us before the New Year, and we can barely keep one division here. A lot of
time will pass until the units will be in order. In Losovaya, we have seen our commanding
officer, Von Mackenzon. The glory is not achieved by him there. The moment he left the
city, the Russians attempted their first tank attack at the opposite end of the city. I
rarely witnessed such a mess, despite the fact that thousands of soldiers, many officers
and even a general being sent to defend it. And we wanted to make our way there, too, but
we saw the tanks and returned. It was too much unequal strength for us. Then our wagon
was tried to be stopped for local defense, and it took a lot of trouble for me to
obtain the men and wagons back again... September 12. A period of rains has started very early, and it
could cause the whole Southern Army to disaster, the 62nd Division is completely defeated.
We come across the remnants of it. Our south-eastern flank is almost totally bare.
Possibly the road to Dnepropetrovsk is cut off for us in a few days. My hope is
that our division will successfully overcome all of this. Somehow there
will be more than enough losses anyway. September 16. On the 13th we pulled out in the afternoon.
We passed through Novo-Moskovsk in deep mud and slush, and in late afternoon we reached
Dnepropetrovsk, and stopped there on the Western outskirts of the city. I crossed the Dnepr
again on the 14th morning and took the 2nd column from Nikolaevsk. In the morning of the 15th, we
detoured to our new location, around 100 km to the west of Dnepropetrovsk. Since last night we were
accommodated in a small location called Alferovo. The road was at times very interesting.
In Novo-Moskovsk I observed a beautiful nine-headed cathedral in red and blue. In the
afternoon and evening of the 14th I visited Dnepropetrovsk and had a chance to see the city.
A lot of the houses are built nearly in the classical style of the Wilhelm period,
as was common in imperial times; the Bolsheviks also built much too. Here is
some great buildings and many new villages, very beautiful ones even. Columns of refugees,
cattle and horses crowded all over the roads. This time, the retreat of the wagons
was far more organized. All the same, many wagons were destroyed. Not all
of the wagons we gathered here... September 22.
...There is still a retreat on all fronts. And there will be no great
change in Italy after Mussolini's rescue. Now he is a dead man anyway. The song of the Savoy House
is finally sung. It can only be a matter of trying to save all that can still be saved for the Empire
for us. Our general position due to the fall of Italy has become much worse. But gradually I
become apathetic to the destiny of Germany as well. I read Hitler's speeches of 1940 to 1941
last night. It shocked me and sobered me at the same time. No book, perhaps, is so quickly out of
date, and which with such force witnesses against its author. This man is not a prophet and also,
perhaps, a very mediocre politician. But this is hard to accept after having adored him for years,
and even more hard to change my mind in the fifth year of the war. Wherever you look, there is
no ray of light for us. It is important for us now only to stand back and take the advantage of
changing relationships between the great nations. My mind tells me that our chances are
very small, while my sense tells me that Germany cannot be destroyed. It will not
be the way we had hoped and wished for. Our division's retreat here in the south more
and more assumes for men, cattle and vehicles the character of a catastrophe, although it occurs
in an exemplary order. During retreats, though, this is a usual thing....
September 27. On the 24th I was with the mechanized supply
wagon at Dnepropetrovsk, which was being evacuated. That was a lot of heartbreak.
Massive blast operations. Disbandment of the supply wagon, returning to the Regiment.
...The 3rd Battalion is disbanded. Supply shortages. It is said to be so in each Regiment.
The bad signs are increasing - the supply and rear units are growing... Yesterday I came across a
regimental supply wagon that numbered at least 950 men. The Colonel must be arrested. After all, we
do not have so many men in our whole regiment. And they are all dragging women and stuff with them.
Poor Germany! This is worse than in 1914 - 1918 in so many ways. While our combat strength is gone,
the Russians get more and more powerful day by day. Just today the general sentenced to a field
trial 9 men of our battalion, who were running away like cowards. They were running away from
the Russians! Here we are in the fifth year of the war! Who would ever dare blame them at the sight
of all this misery and suffering? A deep sense of pity for each and every soldier overwhelms
me. Yes, there also seems to be pity for every Russian old woman who is forced to abandon
her home now. A miserable world, a miserable humanity gone to ruin all humanity! A poor
homeland, having to endure such terrible things! We must stand it. There is no right for us to
let ourselves loose, and we must stay firm, or else the dam will break and the terrible
thing will begin. The Russians have seized the fortification before the bridge on our
side of the Dnepr since yesterday. They have been beating back our strong counter-attacks for
two days now, causing us heavy damage. Only we hear about the dead and wounded. They are still
using a huge number of heavy guns and aircraft. But they must be finally pushed back tomorrow
morning, despite all odds. We will hope so! September 28.
Cruel bombardments. Dreams are not to be thought of. The Russian artillery is very powerful
and crushes everything. Our attacks are getting suffocated, as the Russians from the opposite
side of the river cover every single soldier with strong fire. There is great disagreement between
the Colonel and the General. The tank attacks and diving bombers are not helping a lot either. The
infantry is badly damaged by heavy losses. Not much is left of the first battalion... There
is a pretty big mess. The counter-attacks are delayed from one hour to another or suffocated...
No more than two hundred or four hundred Russians on this shore based on all estimates. But if only
they did not have so much gunnery and aircraft! The Russians shoot like mad. There is a growing
mass of dead and wounded. So, I write the last few words and go to the positions. Not many of
them I will find there. The battalion has run out. We have finally hit a dead end. The homeland
bleeds out a thousand wounds. The leadership of mediocrities seems to have taken over everywhere.
Under the greatest need, Germany calls out to her last sons. But the majority does not wish to
follow this call. But now we have to do what we possibly can, though it is getting harder
and harder to do our duty. There are mountains between us and our homeland. A lot of our people
are struggling to get around it. The life beckons, and the home beckons, and nobody dies willingly or
easily. And yet we continue on the difficult path of our duty. It is not easy indeed. After all,
I, also, love life passionately. We are Germans, and we want to live, and if it is necessary,
we will die as Germans. Together we will try to assault those high mountains that keep us
far away from our homeland and our families. There are more and more explosions of shells. And
I am going to the front line. May Germany live! And I know that it will live forever... September 29. A nice evening and a black night. I took
the First Company. It only had a few men in it. In the entire battalion there were
26 soldiers left. A heavy Russian gunfire lasts for hours. Each house is on fire,
each corner is penetrated deep through. Our offensive was held up. With the few
men we have, it is a real slaughter. No one can do anything. A very heavy loss... This
morning we got an order to move the whole supply wagon to one location, search it out and
gather all the men, who had straggled out. The participation of the battalion in the
fighting was absolutely impossible. It has only two or three squads, led by three officers...
The afternoon there was terrible screaming, a break through the front, the retreat of all the
troops and, finally, a mad flee. I was standing in a small village and unsuccessfully tried
to stem the fleeing units. A scary scene of collapse. I had to kick one young officer in his
butt. There was no success. With threats and such, I managed to gather at most ten men.
Eventually, I retreated with our groomsmen to the height and arranged
for a defense. What a dark day! October 1. We managed, after hard losses, eventually
to get away from the Russians. Our pathetic remnants are now the Regimental Reserve. The
new divisions are thrown into the battle. The Germans' progress is miserable. Lieutenant Jan was
missing, Captain Schturm has lost both his legs, and Riedel was murdered during a
counterattack. I can write no more, I loved him more than anyone else: he
was so young and he had to die so early! Unhappy Germany, whose youth is being
taken away from it, unhappy homeland... October 3. I am in charge of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Companies.
The three companies are actually a bunch, with no more than 30 men. The truth is,
they promise us a reinforcement today or tomorrow. But it would probably take
us some more time to get to know them. And I hope they will not throw the
new guys into battle immediately. The German counter-offensive progresses little
by little. It will be another few days, at least, before the fortification before the
bridge is removed. Captain Zontag is dead. No luck for our second battalion as well.
There were two twins in our Company from Alsace who evidently became deserters and who are now
contacting us on the radio. A former officer's batman also sends his wife and children his
regards. Nothing is the same for our nation as it used to be. The enthusiasm and the
impulse shift to the side of the Russians. October 6. The reinforcements came at last yesterday,
and I formed a whole new 1st Company. There are 35 of us by now, including one officer and one
non-commissioned officer. Most of them are older, mainly workers and peasants. My hope is
that everything will be all right. We worked diligently yesterday on training them
to handle weapons. Most of them, regretfully, are not yet used to the new MG-42 machine gun.
... A correspondence with relatives of the dead. It is surprising how many of them are
quickly reassured. The wives in three letters ask for the penknives or shaving
kits of the dead to be sent to them. October 7. We changed our positions just before midnight
and held down near the village of Voevodskoe, close to the Dnepr River. It was a very restless
night, for the Russians evidently noticed our movements. Their gunnery and mortars were shooting
intensely. The German artillery did answer from time to time quite successfully.
October 8. A comrade got a Spanish newspaper with all sorts
of interesting reports. But there is very little news of solace. What I also read were some
completely new opinions about Hess. (Hitler's order to persuade England to struggle against
Russia.) Those things fit well with our extremely short-sighted politics. The opposite action, the
establishment of a strong contractual relationship with the Soviets, would have rather resulted in
an alliance with Britain. The accuracy of this statement is yet to be proven. The children
and the fools were carrying out the politics, they were fitting Machiavelli's policy to
themselves, and it, in fact, does not fit them at all. The Florentinian demanded, first of all,
greatness, clarity, conscience, and consistency. In political terms, the British are still better
than we are. Since 1939 we have been constantly misunderstanding and undervaluing their fanatical
will to eliminate. To this day our nation still closes its eyes to the inescapable threat that is
coming from the East and from the West. The result is a Germany that has been ruined. We have been
playing with fire too long and thinking that it only lights up for us. It was the consequence of
Goebbels' propaganda, which victimized our people and government rather than other countries.
So long we have been given a false picture of the world and of all sorts of things, that we
have begun to accept our illusions as the truth. The Russians were very active last night and
tonight. That was, in the real sense of the word, a hell of a thing. Two days now we are digging
dugouts and trenches and building positions at a breakneck pace. On the other hand, they
did not protect us from artillery and a lot of Russian mortars. Unfortunately,
three men are out of service again. October 10.
There was a big Russian offensive late yesterday evening. Our forces were
under heavy fire from artillery and mortars. The Russian infantry never showed themselves at
all, while our soldiers behaved very nervously and fired like crazy even when there was nothing
in sight. This foolish habit had been instilled in them by previous orders in the battalion. I
was forced to crawl from dugout to dugout to at least give some sense and calm to the soldiers.
There is a spirited artillery activity today towards Zaporozhye. People say we began
to blow up everything there and we gave away our fortification before the bridge.
Oh, not again! In that case our situation here will be even more critical. And where
will we end up in the winter? After all, the potential of the attacking enemy must end up
somewhere, and it must happen here, on the Dnepr! October 15. I had an encounter with Massenbach yesterday
morning, since I did not want to carry out any unnecessary reconnaissance. I reported to him
all my observations about the Russian positions, but he wanted more confirmation. In the end
we decided to send a reconnaissance with my participation. When I brought him to our
last positions, he gave the order to send the reconnaissance without my participation.
I was furious because I had to obey him. And that with my "green novices. My preparations
were most thorough and against my will I sent them out. I kept an eye out with a machine gun
for further events. They soon found themselves under enemy fire, as I had expected and
predicted. My best machine gunner fell, seriously wounded, the rest of them ran back.
Nothing you can do about the recruits... Today at 2 a.m. the 2nd battalion's assault
operation happened in front of my Company's area. We were providing fire support. It continued
for a good and a half hour and failed again. Similar stories only cause unnecessary losses,
which we no longer allow ourselves to make. The people's credibility is rapidly lost. Besides,
any operation with soldiers of the fifth year of the war is very dangerous. They do not have a
good fight; they are almost unable to be forced to attack. They are very demoralized.
Zaporozhye is given up. Our situation has become extremely worse. Now the Russian has
even more guns and mortars to relieve. They are already very restless. If only I could have
at least one good non-commissioned officer! October 18. From the day before yesterday I am in charge of
both my unit and the neighboring Company on our right. With the heavy losses we suffered, the lack
of officers feels very much ... Unfortunately, I do not have any non-commissioned
officers except those who are useless. So, I have to do everything by myself. I have
one, a Feldfebel, who has to be persuaded when firing starts, another, an attendant, and
is transferred only because of a misconduct. Among my three non-commissioned officers,
one is a master-at-arms, another a clerk, and the third was in the administration in Poznan
for four years of the war. Within a few days the Russians slowly moved the front forward and
now they are settling in a cornfield, about 200 meters away from us. They are continuously
pulling up new forces and reinforcing themselves. Therefore, it would be high time to remove
the fortification in front of the bridge again. But it does not look like that
at all for now. Their artillery and mortars are very powerful again. The noise of
tanks on this shore is already being heard. October 22.
At our neighboring units on the right the Russians managed to break through. To liquidate this
breakthrough, it was necessary for me to engage my last reserves. Sadly, it was not without losses.
The neighboring Company, given to me, causes a lot of trouble because not only are
there not enough non-commissioned officers, but the soldiers are extremely apathetic and
lazy. Even during a big advance, I could only make some of them act. Certainly, I cannot think of
sleeping at night under such circumstances either. According to the deserters, there are about five
Russian divisions on our fortification in front of the bridge, and they are now reinforced and
are going to advance again. They are wasting endless ammunition and bombarding us from dawn
to dusk such that we cannot put our heads out of our trenches. As we hear it, there is no
hope of removing the fortification this year. The losses we suffer each day, we can estimate
when our unit will be completely wiped out. From the early morning until late night, I run around
the positions, pushing and encouraging the men. We have to make it through, and we will make it
through. But how we will escape from this wood, my mind is almost blank.…
October 23. At 11 a.m., after several hours of preparation,
which we tried to prevent while observing it, the Russians began a big offensive...
At the neighboring units on the right side, they managed to break through on a wide front. The
right half of the Company given to me also began to give up their positions. The Russians were
advancing in tight lines. Some of our machine guns were out of service due to continuous shooting.
Some of the soldiers were scared and fled. The Russians ran into our woods in crowds until
I and 2 or 3 soldiers managed to stop it. We suddenly realized also that there were Russians
in front of us, no further than 30-50 meters ahead of us. Covered by the tanks they were
digging trenches and shelters desperately. The following situation was critical. The only
thing I was glad of was that I was able to get to my right flank at that decisive moment and
begin to act. With scolding and screaming I managed to get some of the men into the dugouts,
so we held at least the edge of the forest. Our neighboring Company was not so fortunate.
Their right flank was still bared. The Russians had broken through the right flank on
a wide front. To make matters worse, we got about a hundred Russians in the rear. To
the east and to the south there is the Dnepr, the road to the west is blocked. We cannot rely
on big counterattacks - we do not have sufficient reserves. So, the motherland moves away from us
more and more. The night is very black again. I hope the Russian is not going to advance any
more. We have just received an order to drop everything we cannot take with us as soon
as possible. That means another offensive! Poor Germany! There is too much. Impossible
to bear it any longer. All has its limits. Oh, those stupid politicians who, in the fifth year of
the war, make our people and army suffer so badly! What exhausting it is, and how
much it costs to sacrifice again! The diary is interrupted. His fate
is unknown: was he killed, captured, or missing. We unfortunately have no such details.
This is all for today! Please support this video with a "like" and subscribe to the channel if
you enjoyed it. Goodbye, and see you all soon!
