(no subject)
May. 23rd, 2006 04:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sereshkaA couple of weeks ago, on an anniversary of the end of WWII, I remembered that I had this document that was given to me by my grandfather. I pulled it out and re-read it. It striked me as being terribly discordant with the spirit in which the discussions about the war are carried out here, in the West. I always had a feeling that people in the States and Canada have a more detached view of those events, that their view lacks the kind of emotions that we, people from the Soviet Union, have about that war. I translated this document into English.
This is a diary of a German soldier. My grandfather, who was in a reconnaissance unit of a tank division during the war, translated it from German and brought it to the editorial office of an army newspaper. As far as I remember him telling me, the diary was published virtually unaltered.
In translating the diary, I tried to preserve the spirit of those times. Thus, the wording is as close as possible to the original article in the Soviet newspaper. Some terms (like the use of 'Russians' and 'Germans' in reference to the opposing sides) may now seem imprecise, or even offensive, but that is how it was.
Translated from German to Russian in 1942 by Ruvim Abramovich Shkolnik and B. Goremykov
Translated from Russian to English in 2006 by Sergei Katsev
22 February, 1942
Briansk Front, Field Post,
Newsletter “Na Razgrom Vraga” (For Enemy’s Defeat), No 63.
This is a diary of a German soldier. My grandfather, who was in a reconnaissance unit of a tank division during the war, translated it from German and brought it to the editorial office of an army newspaper. As far as I remember him telling me, the diary was published virtually unaltered.
In translating the diary, I tried to preserve the spirit of those times. Thus, the wording is as close as possible to the original article in the Soviet newspaper. Some terms (like the use of 'Russians' and 'Germans' in reference to the opposing sides) may now seem imprecise, or even offensive, but that is how it was.
Translated from German to Russian in 1942 by Ruvim Abramovich Shkolnik and B. Goremykov
Translated from Russian to English in 2006 by Sergei Katsev
22 February, 1942
Briansk Front, Field Post,
Newsletter “Na Razgrom Vraga” (For Enemy’s Defeat), No 63.
The Diary of a Defeated German
(Dnevnik bitogo nemca)
The diary of ober-corporal Herman Schwartz
5th company, 35th motorized regiment of 25th German motorized division.
Foreword: Today, on the day that marks the beginning of the ninth month of war, our readers may be interested in this document, which is written by the enemy. Each line in it gives out a primeval fear of the Red Army which has been fighting and wearing out Germans since the first day of this war. Each line gives out hatred towards the Russian people.
Reading this diary leaves only one desire: to fight the fascist dregs that have desecrated our land. Strike them until no such Schwartz is left alive.
8 June, 1941 - We were very happy to arrive to the railway station. The wives and fiancées of many of our friends came to the station. Tears are everywhere…
10 June, 1941- At 8:00, there was a long stopping at the Kattovitz station. Here we leave Germany. When will we see it again?
29 June, 1941 - Our uncertain and irksome situation was clarified by our commanding officer today. The offensive is being prepared against Russia. The main target of our offensive will be Ukraine. The duration of the campaign will be 4 weeks. I am certain that we will carry out this campaign successfully and swiftly.
25 June, 1941 - The order to march has finally arrived. Everybody is exulted. Exactly one year ago, peace was made with France. Today, one year later, we are marching against the new enemy.
28 June, 1941- At dawn, we reached the Bug River. There are many German graves, even mass graves with 5-7 killed soldiers. Russians were fighting well here.
30 June, 1941- By afternoon, we reached Lutzk. The damage in the city is extensive, entire city blocks are almost completely burnt down. Although, in the morning, one could speak of German superiority in the air, in the afternoon only Russian planes were seen.
31 June, 1941- Russian bombers appear every minute and drop their cargo all around us.
1 July, 1941- We are marching forward along a motor road. Last night, Russians entrenched themselves in selected buildings and are now shooting from them. Further advancement is impossible.
We were half-finished digging out our trenches when the order arrived: stop digging - our company is withdrawing to the new fortified defense line. Within 50 meters of the fortifications, we suddenly came under fire. The shooting intensified. We could not believe our eyes: Russians were taking over our main defense line. A real hell broke loose. They were shooting from all directions, from straight ahead, left, and right. This is a real hell of a pocket. Russians are chasing us, they are on our heels.
2 July, 1941 - The battalion is regrouping, or rather, what is left of the battalion is getting back together. From the 7th company, only 16 people came back. We are missing 50. None of us seems battle-worthy any more. None of the officers survived.
8 July, 1941- It is the third wave of our attacks on Russian fortifications. Bombs are heating things up. Russians are fighting hard. No captives can be seized.
11 July, 1941- Russians allowed several of our divisions to pass through and then closed the trap. Death is everywhere.
16 July 1941 - My God, there is so little food. Not a piece of bread for several days. In this country, blessed by Nature itself, starving!
21 July, 1941 - Our regiment is in an unfavorable situation. We are pushed back everywhere. Part of the reconnaissance unit of our 25th division was decimated by Russians. The commanding officer was also killed.
5 August, 1941 - Our sector received many wounded, and practice training was cancelled.
14 August, 1941 - At 6 o’clock we started to advance further. In 2 km, we stumbled upon a well fortified Russian emplacement. The 3rd platoon was conducting reconnaissance. In 500 m they came under strong fire from rifles and machine-guns. Advancement was impossible. The 1st platoon went to support them but soon had to retreat. The same happened to a platoon from the 6th company. There is no news of the 2nd platoon.
29 August, 1941 - Last three days went completely quiet. Suddenly, Russians started firing on us with heavy mortars, howitzers, and self-propelled guns. A Russian plane dropped 8 bombs.
12 September, 1941 - I was trying out a Russian semi-automatic yesterday. It shoots superbly. In addition, this weapon is not as heavy as our carbines. It is fairly new.
15 September, 1941 - Artillery cannonade is heard from the direction of the front line. Tomorrow we are marching to the front.
19 September, 1941 - We lost all our motorcycles and barely made it back to our company. The front line is bent in a semi-circle. Both our troops and the Russians are in this semi-circle.
21 September, 1941 – We reached the village of Melekhi, which is located in a valley. The 6th and the 7th companies suffered casualties again. Near Broniki, the 7th company had 100 people killed, and yesterday another 30.
22 September, 1941 - At 7:30, we were mounting further offensive. We had to cleanse a forest from Russians but encountered resistance. About 10 Russians were hiding in the forest, completely surrounded and cut off from their troops; they were in an utterly hopeless and helpless situation, but opened fire on us.
23 September, 1941 - At 15:00 we are starting to move forward again. Russians can be hiding, and do hide, everywhere, as single men or in groups. One Russian took cover in bushes; he has a machine gun and shoots at us. Bullets are whining everywhere.
25 September, 1941 - At 14:00, we moved on towards Moscow, or rather, entered the battle for Moscow. Days of fierce fighting are now behind us. Let us be victorious in the forthcoming battle as well.
27 September, 1941 - At 6:00, we began moving further. After less than an hour, the column-on-march stopped. Two Russian planes attacked, in contour flying. The planes hummed just above our vehicles. There was shouting, calls for medical personnel. There were wounded, 5 people were killed. Russians were attacking us all day.
29 September, 1941 – While in the sector of the 119th infantry regiment, we were attacked by Russian heavy 52-ton tanks. They approached the ammunition-carrying transports, ran through several trucks and 2 horse-driven carts, and visited our artillery emplacements. 2 light cannons and 2 heavy cannons they leveled to the ground. One tank, with its turret already knocked down, raced all around and ran over two more guns. Firing from all kinds of weapons could be heard close by all night.
2 October, 1941 - The vehicle losses in our division are now made official. I personally read a divisional battle-order, which specified that the 3rd battalion of the 35th motorized regiment, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 119th motorized regiment, and the 1st platoon of the 25th field-engineer battalion have lost all their vehicles.
3 October, 1941 – Yesterday, Russians used a new horrendous weapon. In one firing, it must be making 65 shots.
15 October, 1941 - Today the battalion commander came to us to talk. The 7th company is being disbanded to reinforce the 5th and the 6th companies. Even after this, they are understaffed.
25 October, 1941 – Apparently, the situation has radically changed again. There is an impression that those in high command themselves do not know what is going on. I have long given up believing what is being announced officially and unofficially. The Russian campaign, in all likelihood, cannot be completed this year.
8 November, 1941 - The night has come. We are halting for rest. The interior of the house is exceptionally minimal and simple. The family consists of two old women, an old man, and a lot of children. For me, a German shepherd is superior to these Russians.
22 November, 1941 – On our way, we passed our “cart-mounted” units. The sight is astonishing. Trembling from cold, their heads down, they trudge behind their carts; they are dressed in rags that protect them from cold. They look like a bunch of landsknechts.
3 December, 1941 - In the past 10 days we have moved a long way back. One day we are on the move, another day fighting partisans, then marching again. Airplanes became active again. Where the Reds only get their bombs? Will I too remain lying in these fields? I give them retribution in advance, tenfold. I am prepared to completely exterminate the Russians. Their fear of a German soldier must become terrifying. One night I was on patrol. At 2:30, a woman suddenly rushed out from a house to the road. When I asked her, she replied that she was bringing water to German soldiers and refused to go to the commandant’s office with me. I shot her on the spot and decided to check the house, but they would not open the door. Then I set the house on fire. When they tried to break through the door, I fired from my automatic rifle. All of those scums burnt inside alive– there were 6 people in the house. If only every soldier acted like this, our fight with partisans would soon be over.
6 December, 1941 - Early this morning, fierce firing from all weapons began. It continued all day.
The 4th tank division retreated. Our avant-garde had to retreat, for fear of being cut off by the Russians. Large numbers of our vehicles and guns, as well as tanks, were lost in the process.
7 December, 1941 - At 4:00 we received a battle-order to move. The retreat is hectic. Our soldiers are starting to panic. Everybody tries to flee with his vehicle, creating traffic jams. Infinite numbers of troops are moving back. I saw heavy artillery, anti-aircraft units of all calibers, armored vehicles, tanks, infantry regiments, horse-driven carts, etc. The route of this retreat is littered with devastation. Heavy, absolutely new, four-axle armored vehicles, and large quantities of transport vehicles and tanks are destroyed. All the territory around Venev must be cleansed and burnt.
9 December, 1941 - When we woke up in the morning, we realized that all army units that were stationed here had already retreated. As no one could explain the situation to us, we considered it most beneficial to leave as well. We set the village on fire. Our company is overseeing the retreat routes of the 115th motorized regiment; it had to change the direction of its breakthrough because the previously planned retreat routes were taken over by Russians.
10 December, 1941 - At 3:00, our company is on the move again. The motorcycle infantry battalion had suffered heavy casualties. We are retreating further and further… Crazy war…
11 December, 1941 - Ober-corporal Herman Schwartz got a Russian bullet into his head.
(Dnevnik bitogo nemca)
The diary of ober-corporal Herman Schwartz
5th company, 35th motorized regiment of 25th German motorized division.
Foreword: Today, on the day that marks the beginning of the ninth month of war, our readers may be interested in this document, which is written by the enemy. Each line in it gives out a primeval fear of the Red Army which has been fighting and wearing out Germans since the first day of this war. Each line gives out hatred towards the Russian people.
Reading this diary leaves only one desire: to fight the fascist dregs that have desecrated our land. Strike them until no such Schwartz is left alive.
8 June, 1941 - We were very happy to arrive to the railway station. The wives and fiancées of many of our friends came to the station. Tears are everywhere…
10 June, 1941- At 8:00, there was a long stopping at the Kattovitz station. Here we leave Germany. When will we see it again?
29 June, 1941 - Our uncertain and irksome situation was clarified by our commanding officer today. The offensive is being prepared against Russia. The main target of our offensive will be Ukraine. The duration of the campaign will be 4 weeks. I am certain that we will carry out this campaign successfully and swiftly.
25 June, 1941 - The order to march has finally arrived. Everybody is exulted. Exactly one year ago, peace was made with France. Today, one year later, we are marching against the new enemy.
28 June, 1941- At dawn, we reached the Bug River. There are many German graves, even mass graves with 5-7 killed soldiers. Russians were fighting well here.
30 June, 1941- By afternoon, we reached Lutzk. The damage in the city is extensive, entire city blocks are almost completely burnt down. Although, in the morning, one could speak of German superiority in the air, in the afternoon only Russian planes were seen.
31 June, 1941- Russian bombers appear every minute and drop their cargo all around us.
1 July, 1941- We are marching forward along a motor road. Last night, Russians entrenched themselves in selected buildings and are now shooting from them. Further advancement is impossible.
We were half-finished digging out our trenches when the order arrived: stop digging - our company is withdrawing to the new fortified defense line. Within 50 meters of the fortifications, we suddenly came under fire. The shooting intensified. We could not believe our eyes: Russians were taking over our main defense line. A real hell broke loose. They were shooting from all directions, from straight ahead, left, and right. This is a real hell of a pocket. Russians are chasing us, they are on our heels.
2 July, 1941 - The battalion is regrouping, or rather, what is left of the battalion is getting back together. From the 7th company, only 16 people came back. We are missing 50. None of us seems battle-worthy any more. None of the officers survived.
8 July, 1941- It is the third wave of our attacks on Russian fortifications. Bombs are heating things up. Russians are fighting hard. No captives can be seized.
11 July, 1941- Russians allowed several of our divisions to pass through and then closed the trap. Death is everywhere.
16 July 1941 - My God, there is so little food. Not a piece of bread for several days. In this country, blessed by Nature itself, starving!
21 July, 1941 - Our regiment is in an unfavorable situation. We are pushed back everywhere. Part of the reconnaissance unit of our 25th division was decimated by Russians. The commanding officer was also killed.
5 August, 1941 - Our sector received many wounded, and practice training was cancelled.
14 August, 1941 - At 6 o’clock we started to advance further. In 2 km, we stumbled upon a well fortified Russian emplacement. The 3rd platoon was conducting reconnaissance. In 500 m they came under strong fire from rifles and machine-guns. Advancement was impossible. The 1st platoon went to support them but soon had to retreat. The same happened to a platoon from the 6th company. There is no news of the 2nd platoon.
29 August, 1941 - Last three days went completely quiet. Suddenly, Russians started firing on us with heavy mortars, howitzers, and self-propelled guns. A Russian plane dropped 8 bombs.
12 September, 1941 - I was trying out a Russian semi-automatic yesterday. It shoots superbly. In addition, this weapon is not as heavy as our carbines. It is fairly new.
15 September, 1941 - Artillery cannonade is heard from the direction of the front line. Tomorrow we are marching to the front.
19 September, 1941 - We lost all our motorcycles and barely made it back to our company. The front line is bent in a semi-circle. Both our troops and the Russians are in this semi-circle.
21 September, 1941 – We reached the village of Melekhi, which is located in a valley. The 6th and the 7th companies suffered casualties again. Near Broniki, the 7th company had 100 people killed, and yesterday another 30.
22 September, 1941 - At 7:30, we were mounting further offensive. We had to cleanse a forest from Russians but encountered resistance. About 10 Russians were hiding in the forest, completely surrounded and cut off from their troops; they were in an utterly hopeless and helpless situation, but opened fire on us.
23 September, 1941 - At 15:00 we are starting to move forward again. Russians can be hiding, and do hide, everywhere, as single men or in groups. One Russian took cover in bushes; he has a machine gun and shoots at us. Bullets are whining everywhere.
25 September, 1941 - At 14:00, we moved on towards Moscow, or rather, entered the battle for Moscow. Days of fierce fighting are now behind us. Let us be victorious in the forthcoming battle as well.
27 September, 1941 - At 6:00, we began moving further. After less than an hour, the column-on-march stopped. Two Russian planes attacked, in contour flying. The planes hummed just above our vehicles. There was shouting, calls for medical personnel. There were wounded, 5 people were killed. Russians were attacking us all day.
29 September, 1941 – While in the sector of the 119th infantry regiment, we were attacked by Russian heavy 52-ton tanks. They approached the ammunition-carrying transports, ran through several trucks and 2 horse-driven carts, and visited our artillery emplacements. 2 light cannons and 2 heavy cannons they leveled to the ground. One tank, with its turret already knocked down, raced all around and ran over two more guns. Firing from all kinds of weapons could be heard close by all night.
2 October, 1941 - The vehicle losses in our division are now made official. I personally read a divisional battle-order, which specified that the 3rd battalion of the 35th motorized regiment, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 119th motorized regiment, and the 1st platoon of the 25th field-engineer battalion have lost all their vehicles.
3 October, 1941 – Yesterday, Russians used a new horrendous weapon. In one firing, it must be making 65 shots.
15 October, 1941 - Today the battalion commander came to us to talk. The 7th company is being disbanded to reinforce the 5th and the 6th companies. Even after this, they are understaffed.
25 October, 1941 – Apparently, the situation has radically changed again. There is an impression that those in high command themselves do not know what is going on. I have long given up believing what is being announced officially and unofficially. The Russian campaign, in all likelihood, cannot be completed this year.
8 November, 1941 - The night has come. We are halting for rest. The interior of the house is exceptionally minimal and simple. The family consists of two old women, an old man, and a lot of children. For me, a German shepherd is superior to these Russians.
22 November, 1941 – On our way, we passed our “cart-mounted” units. The sight is astonishing. Trembling from cold, their heads down, they trudge behind their carts; they are dressed in rags that protect them from cold. They look like a bunch of landsknechts.
3 December, 1941 - In the past 10 days we have moved a long way back. One day we are on the move, another day fighting partisans, then marching again. Airplanes became active again. Where the Reds only get their bombs? Will I too remain lying in these fields? I give them retribution in advance, tenfold. I am prepared to completely exterminate the Russians. Their fear of a German soldier must become terrifying. One night I was on patrol. At 2:30, a woman suddenly rushed out from a house to the road. When I asked her, she replied that she was bringing water to German soldiers and refused to go to the commandant’s office with me. I shot her on the spot and decided to check the house, but they would not open the door. Then I set the house on fire. When they tried to break through the door, I fired from my automatic rifle. All of those scums burnt inside alive– there were 6 people in the house. If only every soldier acted like this, our fight with partisans would soon be over.
6 December, 1941 - Early this morning, fierce firing from all weapons began. It continued all day.
The 4th tank division retreated. Our avant-garde had to retreat, for fear of being cut off by the Russians. Large numbers of our vehicles and guns, as well as tanks, were lost in the process.
7 December, 1941 - At 4:00 we received a battle-order to move. The retreat is hectic. Our soldiers are starting to panic. Everybody tries to flee with his vehicle, creating traffic jams. Infinite numbers of troops are moving back. I saw heavy artillery, anti-aircraft units of all calibers, armored vehicles, tanks, infantry regiments, horse-driven carts, etc. The route of this retreat is littered with devastation. Heavy, absolutely new, four-axle armored vehicles, and large quantities of transport vehicles and tanks are destroyed. All the territory around Venev must be cleansed and burnt.
9 December, 1941 - When we woke up in the morning, we realized that all army units that were stationed here had already retreated. As no one could explain the situation to us, we considered it most beneficial to leave as well. We set the village on fire. Our company is overseeing the retreat routes of the 115th motorized regiment; it had to change the direction of its breakthrough because the previously planned retreat routes were taken over by Russians.
10 December, 1941 - At 3:00, our company is on the move again. The motorcycle infantry battalion had suffered heavy casualties. We are retreating further and further… Crazy war…
11 December, 1941 - Ober-corporal Herman Schwartz got a Russian bullet into his head.
