German stories about the war from the USSR. Letters of German soldiers and officers from the Eastern Front as a medicine from Führer

The material proposed by readers is an excerpt from diaries, letters and memories of German soldiers, officers and generals who first encountered the Russian people during the years of the Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Essentially, we have the testimony of mass meetings of the people with the people, Russia with the West who do not lose their relevance and now.

Germans about Russian character

From this struggle against the Russian Earth and against the Russian nature, the Germans will hardly come out by the winners. How many children, how many women, and everything give birth, and all bring fruit, despite the war and robbery, despite the destruction and death! Here we are struggling not against people, but against nature. At the same time, I have to recognize myself again that this country becomes all the nail to me every day.

Lieutenant K. F. Brand

They think otherwise than we. And do not work - you will never catch Russian!

Officer Malapar

I know how risky to describe the sensational "Russian person", it is an unclear vision of philosophizing and political writers, which is very suitable for it, like a wrapping hanger, to hang out by any doubts that arise from a person from the West, the further it moves to the East . Yet this "Russian man" is not only literary fiction, although here, as everywhere, people are different and to the general denominator are irreducible. Only with this reservation we will talk about the Russian person.

Pastor G. Gallvitser

They are so multilateral that almost each of them describes the full range of human qualities. Among them you can find all sorts of cruel boobs to St. Francis of Assisi. That is why they cannot be described in several words. To describe the Russians, you need to use all existing epithets. I can say about them that they like me, I don't like them, I bow to them, I hate them, they touch me, they scare me, I admire me, they are disgusted with me!

A less thoughtful person such character displays and makes exclaim: unfinished, chaotic, incomprehensible people!

Major K. Kyun.

Germans about Russia

Russia lies between East and West - this is an old thought, but I can not say anything new about this country. The wicker of the East and the clarity of the West created this dual light, this crystal clarity of the mind and mysterious depth of the soul. They are located between the spirit of Europe, strong in shape and weak in the in-depth contemplation, and the spirit of Asia, which is devoid of form and clear outlines. I think their souls will attract more asia, but fate and history - and even this war - brings them to Europe. And since here, in Russia, everywhere there are no durable forces, even in politics and the economy, then there can be no consensus about her people or their lives ... Russians are all measured by distance. They should always be considered with him. Here, relatives often live far from each other, soldiers from Ukraine serve in Moscow, students from Odessa study in Kiev. Here you can go for hours, without having arrived. They live in space as stars in the night sky, like sailors on the sea; And so, as an immentant, the person is also unlimited, - everything is in his hands, and he has nothing. The latitude and scope of nature determine the fate of this country and these people. In big expanses, history flows slower.

Major K. Kuununer

This opinion finds confirmation in other sources. The German staff soldier, comparing Germany and Russia, draws attention to the incompleteness of these two values. The German attack on Russia was introduced by him by contacting limited with unlimited.

Stalin is the Lord of Asian Infinity - this is an enemy with which the forces coming from limited, dissected spaces cannot cope ...

Soldier K. Mattis

We entered into battle with the enemy, which we are in captivity of European life concepts, did not understand. In this rock, our strategy, she, strictly speaking, is completely random as an adventure on Mars.

Soldier K. Mattis

Germans about Russian mercy

The inexplicability of a Russian nature and behavior often put in the German impasse. Russians provide hospitality not only in their homes, they come out towards milk and bread. In December 1941, during the retreat from Borisov, the old woman made bread and a jar of milk in one left by the troops. "War, War," she repeated in tears. Russians with the same good nature treated both defeating, and to the defeated Germans. The Russian peasants are peaceful and good-natured ... When we have thirst for transitions, we go to their horses, and they give us milk, as if pilgrims. For them, every person needs. How often I saw the Russian peasants, naked over the wounded German soldiers, as if it were their own sons ...

Major K. Kyun.

Strange seems the absence of hostility from a Russian woman to the soldiers of the army, with whom her sons are fighting: the old Alexander from strong threads ... knits me socks. In addition, good-natured old woman cooks potatoes for me. Today in the lid of my kitf, I found even a piece of salt meat. Probably, she has somewhere hidden reserves. Otherwise, do not understand how these people live here. In Saraj, Alexandra stands the goat. There are no cows. And with all that these poor people share their last good with us. Do they make it out of fear or really have a congenital sense of self-sacrifice? Or do they do this good nature or even from love? Alexandra, she was 77 years old as she told me, illiterate. She does not know how to read or write. After the death of her husband, she lives alone. Three children died, the remaining three went to Moscow. It is clear that both of her son in the army. She knows that we fight against them, and still she knit socks for me. The feeling of hostility is probably unfamiliar to her.

Sanitary Mikhels

In the first months of war, rustic women ... Hurry up with food for prisoners of war. "Oh, poor!" - they sentenced them. They also brought food for German conversions sitting in the center of small squares on benches around the White Statues of Lenin and Stalin, discarded in the dirt ...

Officer Malapart

Hatred for a long time ... not in Russian. This is especially clear on the example of how quickly the psychosis of hatred from ordinary Soviet people in relation to the Germans during World War II. At the same time played the role ... sympathy, maternal feeling of the Russian rural woman, as well as young girls in relation to the prisoner. Western European woman who met with the Red Army in Hungary is surprised: "Isn't it strange - most of them don't have any hatred even to the Germans: where they come from this unshakable faith in human good, this is inexhaustible patience, this dedication and meek humility ...

Germans about Russian sacrifice

The sacrifice is not marked by the Germans in Russian people. From the people, officially not recognizing spiritual values, as if it is impossible to wait neither nobility, nor Russian character, no sacrifice. However, the German officer is amazed at the interrogation of the prisoner partisan:

Do you really need to demand from a person brought up in materialism, so much sacrifice for the sake of ideals!

Major K. Kyun.

Probably, this exclamation can be attributed to the whole Russian people, apparently preserving these features, despite the breakdown of the internal Orthodox lows of life, and, apparently, sacrifice, responsiveness and qualities of them are characteristic of high degrees. They partly emphasize the attitude of the Russians themselves to Western peoples.

As soon as the Russians come into contact with Western people, they are briefly determined by the words "dry people" or "heartless people." All egoism and materialism of the West concluded in the definition of "dry people"

Endurance, mental strength and at the same time submortion also draws attention to foreigners.

The Russian people, especially large expanses, steppes, fields and villages, is one of the most healthy, joyful and wise on earth. He is able to resist the power of fear with a bent back. There are so many faith and antiquity in it, which is probably the most equitable order in the world. "

Soldier Matisse

An example of the duality of the Russian soul, which combines pity, and cruelty at the same time:

When already in the camp, the prisoners were given soup and bread, one Russian gave a piece from his portion. Many others were also accepted, so we had so much bread that we could not eat him ... We just swung our heads. Who can understand them, these Russians? They are shot and can even be contemptuously laughing, they give the soup to others and share with them even their own daily bumps of bread.

German M. Gertner

Watching closer to the Russians, the German will reiterate their sharp extremes, the inability to fully comprehend them:

Russian soul! It moves from the gentle, soft sounds to Wild Fortissimo, it is difficult to prevail only this music and especially the moments of its transition ... The words of one old consul remain symbolic: "I don't know Russian enough - I live among them just thirty years.

General Schevepenburg

Germans about the shortcomings of the Russians

From the Germans themselves, we hear an explanation for the fact that often Russians are reproaches in the tendency to theft.

Who survived the post-war years in Germany, the one, as we in the camps, was convinced that the need destroys a strong sense of property even in people who were alien to the need since childhood. Improving the living conditions quickly corrected this lack of most, and the same would have happened in Russia, as it was before the Bolsheviks. Not shaky concepts and not appeared under the influence of socialism insufficient respect for someone else's property make people steal, but the need.

Military trimming of Hallvitser

Most often helplessly ask yourself: why don't they say truth here? ... This could be explained by the fact that the Russian is extremely difficult to say "no". There are no "no", however, it became famous all over the world, but it seems more Soviet than the Russian feature. Russian avoids the need to refuse any request. In any case, when he moves sympathy, and this happens often. Disappointing the needy person seems unfair to him, in order to avoid this he is ready for any lie. And where there is no sympathy, a lie is at least a convenient tool to get rid of themselves from annoying requests.

In Eastern Europe, Mother Vodka in centuries takes great service. It heats people when they are cold, dries their tears when they are sad, deceiving the stomachs when they are hungry, and gives a drop of happiness, which everyone in life is needed and which is difficult to get in semi-associated countries. In Eastern Europe, vodka is the theater, cinema, concert and circus, it replaces books for illiterate, makes heroes from unwell panties and is the consolation that makes you forget all the concerns. Where in the world to find another such yot of happiness, and such a cheap?

People ... Ah Yes, the famous Russian people! .. I made a salary for several years in one working camp and in contact with the Russians of all layers. There are excellent people among them, but it is almost impossible to stay with an impeccable person here. I constantly amazed that under such pressure this people kept so much humanity in all respects and so much naturalness. In women, this is noticeably even more than that of men, old, of course, more than that of young people, the peasants are greater than that of the workers, but there is no layer in which it would be completely absent. This is a wonderful people, and he deserves to love him.

Military trimming of Hallvitser

On the way from the Russian captivity home in the memory of the German soldier-priest emerges the impressions of recent years in Russian captivity.

Military priest Franz.

Germans about Russian women

The high morality and morality of the Russian woman can be written in a separate chapter. Foreign authors left her a valuable monument in their memoirs of Russia. On a German doctor Eyrich The unexpected inspection results were made of a deep impression: 99 percent of the girls aged 18 to 35 were virgins ... He thinks that in the Orel it would be impossible to find girls for a public house.

The voices of women, especially girls, are actually unlight, but pleasant. They are hidden some power and joy. It seems that you hear the ringing some kind of deep string of life. It seems that constructive schematic changes in the world pass by these forces of nature, without touching them ...

Writer Junger

By the way, I told me a staff doctor background Grevlenits, that during a medical examination the prevailing majority of girls were virgins. It is also visible in physiognomies, but it is difficult to say whether it is possible to read on the forehead or in the eyes - this is a gloss of purity, which is surrounded by a face. His light does not have the flicker of active virtue, but rather reminiscent of the moonlight reflection. However, just why you feel a greater force of this light ...

Writer Junger

About feminine Russian women (if I can say so) I had the impression that they were holding their special inner power under the moral control of those Russians, which can be considered by the barbarians.

Military priest Franz.

The words of another German soldier sounds a conclusion to the topic of morality and dignity of the Russian woman:

What told us propaganda about a Russian woman? And what did we find it? I think that there is hardly a German soldier who visited Russia, who would not have learned to appreciate and respect the Russian woman.

Soldier Michels.

Describing the ninety-year old old woman, which during his life never left his village and therefore did not know the world outside the village, the German officer says:

I think even that it is much happier than we: she is full of happiness of life flowing in close proximity to nature; She is happy in an inexhaustible force of his simplicity.

Major K. Kuununer

On ordinary, solid feelings in the Russians we find in the memoirs of the other German.

I'm talking to Anna, the eldest daughter, "he writes. - She is not married yet. Why doesn't she leave this poor earth? - I ask her and show photos from Germany. The girl shows on his mother and on the sisters and explains that she is best among loved ones. It seems to me that these people have only one desire: to love each other and live for their neighbors.

Germans about Russian simplicity, mind and talent

German officers sometimes do not know how to respond to the noted questions of ordinary Russian people.

General with his retinue passing by Russian prisoner, grazing sheep intended for German cuisine. - "That's stupid, - began to express his thoughts, - but peaceful, and people, Mr. Why are people so nonime? Why do they kill each other ?! "... We could not answer for his last question. His words went from the depths of the soul of a simple Russian man.

General Schevepenburg

The immediacy and simplicity of Russian make the German exclaim:

Russians do not grow up. They remain children ... If you look at the Russian mass from this point of view, you will understand them, and forgive them a lot.

The proximity to the harmonious, clean, but also harsh nature, foreign eyewitnesses are trying to explain the courage, and endurance, and the undepair of Russians.

The courage of the Russians is based on their undemanding to life, on their organic connection with nature. And this nature tells them about the deprivation, the struggle and death, which is subject to man.

Major K. Kuununer

Often, the Germans noted the exceptional efficiency of the Russians, their ability to improvisation, reducibility, adaptability, curiosity to everything, and especially knowledge.

Purely physical performance of Soviet workers and a Russian woman is out of every doubt.

General Schevepenburg

Especially it is necessary to emphasize the art of improvisation from Soviet people, anyway, whatever it matches.

General Fretter Pico

On moldiness and manifest Russian interest in everything:

Most of them show interest in everything much more than our workers or peasants; They are all distinguished by the speed of perception and practical mind.

Unter-Officer Gogoff

The revaluation of the knowledge acquired in school is often an obstacle for Europeans in his understanding of the "uneducated" Russian ... striking and beneficial appeared for me, as a teacher, the discovery that a person without school education can deal with the deepest problems of life truly in philosophically and at the same time It has such knowledge in which he can envy some academician of European fame ... Russians first do not have this typical European fatigue to the problems of life, which we often only with difficulty overcome. Their curiosity does not know the limits ... The formation of this Russian intelligentsia reminds me of the ideal types of Renaissance people, the lot of which was the versatility of knowledge that did not have anything in common, "Abo.

Swiss Jucher, who lived in Russia for 16 years

Another German from the people surprised by the acquaintance of young Russian with domestic and foreign literature:

From a conversation with a 22-year-old Russian, who finished only a national school, I learned that she knew Goethe and Schiller, not to mention the fact that she was well understood in the national literature. When I expressed my surprise to Dr. Heinrich V., who knew Russian and better understood the Russians, he rightly noticed: "The difference between the German and Russian people is that we keep our classics in luxurious bindings in bookcases And we do not read them, while the Russians print their classics on newspaper paper and publish publications, but they carry them into the people and read.

Military priest Franz.

On talents that are able to manifest themselves even in a disadvantageous setting, the extensive description of the German concert soldier arranged in Pskov on July 25, 1942.

I sat down at the back among the village girls in the pedestrian sites ... came out entertainer, read the long program, made even longer an explanation for her. Then two men, one by one on each side, spread the curtain, and a very poor scenery appeared before the public to Opere Corsakov. One piano replaced the orchestra ... they sang mainly two singers ... But something happened that it would not be forces by any European opera. Both singers, full and confident in themselves, even sang in the tragic moments and played with big and clear simplicity ... Movement and voice merged together. They supported and supplemented each other: even their faces sang at the end, not to mention the eyes. The wretched atmosphere, a lonely piano, and, however, was full of impression. No brilliant props, no hundred tools would be able to promote better impression. After that, a singer appeared in gray striped trousers, a velvet jacket and in the old-fashioned standing collar. When, so smashed, he with some touching helplessness came to the middle of the scene and bowed three times, in the hall among officers and soldiers heard laughter. He began the Ukrainian folk song, and as soon as his melodic and powerful voice rang out, the hall was measured. Several simple gestures accompanied the song, and the singer's eyes did it visible. During the second song, the light is suddenly in the entire hall. Only a voice dominated in it. In the dark he dug around an hour. At the end of one song, the Russian village girls who were sitting after me, in front of me and beside me, drew and started applauding and stumping their feet. There was a long time for a long time did not stop applause, as if the dark scene was filled with light fantastic, unthinkable landscapes. I did not understand the word, but I saw everything.

Soldier Mattis

People's songs, reflecting the nature and history of the people, most of all seek the attention of eyewitnesses.

In the real Russian folk song, and not in sentimental romance reflects the whole Russian "wide" nature with its tenderness, wildness, depth, mentality, proximity to nature, funny humor, infinite quest, sadness and shining joy, as well as with their non-smoke alone Beautiful and kind.

German songs are filled with mood, Russians - a story. In their songs and choras, Russia has a great power.

Major K. Kyun.

Germans about the faith of Russian

A vivid example of such a state is a rural teacher for us, which a German officer knew well and, apparently, supported a permanent connection with the nearest partisan detachment.

I said to me about Russian icons. The names of the great icon painters are unknown here. They dedicated their art with a pious business and remained in the unknown. All personal should retreat before the demand of the saint. Figures on icons are formless. They produce an impression of unknown. But they should not have beautiful tel. Next to the holy bodily does not matter. In this art, it would be unthinkable to make a beautiful woman model Madonna, as was the great Italians. Here it would be blasphemy, since this is the human body. Nothing can not know everything should be believed. That's the secret of the icon. "Do you believe in the icon?" I was not answered. "Why do you decorate it then?" She would, of course, could answer: "I don't know. Sometimes I do it. I'm doing scared when I do not do it. And sometimes I just want to do it. " What a forked, restless you should be, ia. Great and perturbation against him in the same heart. "What do you believe?" - "None". "She said it with such a weight and depth that I had the impression that these people also take their disbelief as faith. The disappeared man and then carries the old legacy of humility and faith.

Major K. Kyun.

Russian is difficult to compare with other peoples. Mysticism in the Russian man continues to raise the question of a vague concept of God and the remnants of a Christian-religious feeling.

General Schevepenburg

About young people looking for a meaning of life that is not satisfied with schematic and dead materialism, we also find other evidence. Probably, the path of the Komsomol Center, who fell into a concentration camp for the spread of the Gospel, became a way of some of the Russian youth. In a very poor material, which is published by eyewitnesses in the West, we find three confirmations that the Orthodox faith to some extent passed to the older generations of young people and that small and, undoubtedly, single young people who have found faith are sometimes ready to courage to defend it, Do not be afraid of a detention or cortica. Here is a rather thorough testimony of one German, who returned to his homeland from the camp in Vorkuta:

I was very struck by the holistic identities of these believers. These were peasant girls, intellectuals of different ages, although the youth prevailed. They preferred the Gospel of John. They knew him by heart. Students lived with them in great friendship, promised them that in the future Russia there will be a complete freedom and in religious terms. The fact that many of the Russian youth, who assured God, waited for the arrest and the concentration camp, is confirmed by the Germans who returned from Russia after the Second World War. They met in concentration camps of believers and describe them like this: we envied the believers. We considered them happy. Believers supported their deep faith, she helped them with ease to endure all the severity of the camp life. No one, for example, could not force them on Sunday to go to work. In the dining room before dinner, they will surely pray ... They pray all their free time ... It is impossible not to admire such faith, she can not be envied ... Every person, whether the Pole, German, Christian, or a Jew, when he paid for help to the believer, always received her . The believer shared the last piece of bread ....

Probably, in some cases, believers won respect and sympathy not only in prisoners, but also at the camp authorities:

There were several women in their brigade who, being deeply religious, refused to work in large church holidays. The bosses and security were revealed with this and did not give them them.

The symbol of Russia of military time can serve as the next impression of a German officer who accidentally entered the burned church:

We enter as tourists, a few minutes to the church through the open door. On the floor lie burnt beams and fragments of stones. From shocks or fires sat down from the walls of the plaster. Paints appeared on the walls, laid frescoes depicting saints and ornaments. And in the middle of the ruins, there are two peasants on the charred beams and pray.

Major K. Kyun.

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Text Preparation - V. Drobyshev. According to the materials of the magazine " Slav»

From the book of Robert Kershou "1941, the eyes of the Germans":

"During the attack, we came across a light Russian tank T-26, we immediately clicked directly from 37 mm. When we began to approach, from Luke Tower leaned out the Russian belt and opened the shooting of the gun on us. Soon it turned out that he was without legs, they tear them away when the tank was shot down. And, despite this, he walled on our gun! " / Artillery anti-tank gun /

"We almost did not take prisoners, because the Russians always fought to the last soldier. They did not give up. You're not compare them with our ... »/ Tankist Army Center" Center "/

After the successful breakthrough of the border defense, the 3rd battalion of the 18th Infantry Regiment of the Center for Army Center, which had 800 people, was fired by a division of 5 soldiers. "I did not expect anything like that," said Major Nehukhof's battalion commander to his battalion. "This is the purest suicide to attack the strength of the battalion five fighters."

"On the Eastern Front, I met people who can be called a special race. Already the first attack turned on the battle not for life, but for death. " / Tankist 12th Tank Division Hans Becker /

"In such a way you just do not believe, until you see with your own eyes. Soldiers of the Red Army, even burning alive, continued to shoot from the haweling houses. " / Officer of the 7th Tank Division /

"Qualitative level of Soviet pilots is much higher than expected ... fierce resistance, its massive nature does not correspond to our initial assumptions" / Major General Gofman von Waldau /

"No one has not seen the evil of these Russians. Real chains! You never know what to expect from them. And where do they get tanks and everything else?! " / One of the soldiers of the Center for Army "Center" /

71 years ago Hitler's Germany attacked the USSR. What was our soldier in the eyes of the enemy - the soldiers of the German? What did the beginning of the war out of other trenches? Extremely eloquent answers to these questions can be found in the book, the author of which can hardly be accused of distorting the facts. This is "1941 by the eyes of the Germans. Birch crosses instead of iron "English historian Robert Kershou, which has recently been published in Russia. The book is almost entirely consisting of the memories of German soldiers and officers, their letters home and records in private diaries.

Remembers Unter-Officer Helmut Kolakovski: "In the late evening, our platoon was collected in the barn and announced:" Tomorrow we have to join the battle with the world Bolshevism. " Personally, I was just amazed, it was like snow on my head, but what about the nonsense pact between Germany and Russia? All the time I recalled that release "Deutsche Washhenshau", which saw the house and in which the concluded agreement was reported. I could not and imagine how this we will go to the Soviet Union. " The order of the Fuhrer caused surprise and perplexity of the ordinary composition. "We can say, we were agile heard," Lothar Fromm, an officer-correction officer. "We are all, I emphasize this, were amazed and not ready for such." But bewilderment immediately changed to relief to get rid of incomprehensible and taking expectations on the eastern borders of Germany. Experienced soldiers who have already seized almost all of Europe began to discuss when the campaign against the USSR end. The words of Benno Zaizer, then still learning on a military driver, reflect General sentiment: "All this will end through any three weeks, we were said, others were careful in forecasts - they thought that in 2-3 months. Found one who believed that it would last a whole year, but we raised it on laughter: "How much did it take to deal with the Poles? And with France? Are you forgotten? "

But not everyone was so optimistic. Erich Mende, Ober Lieutenant from the 8th Silesian Infantry Division, recalls a conversation with his boss, held in these last peace minutes. "My commander was twice as older than me, and he had to fight Russian under Narva in 1917, when he was in the rank of lieutenant. "Here, on these endless expanses, we will find our death as Napoleon," he did not hide pessimism ... Mende, remember this hour, he marks the end of the former Germany. "

At 3 o'clock 15 minutes, the advanced German parts moved the border of the USSR. The artillery of the anti-tank gun Johann Dunzer recalls: "On the very first day, we barely just went to the attack, as one of ours was shot from your own weapons. Climbing the rifle between the knees, he put the trunk in his mouth and pressed on the descent. So for him ended the war and all the horrors associated with it. "

The capture of the Brest Fortress was charged with the 45th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht, which had 17 thousand person of personnel. The garrison of the fortress is about 8 thousand. In the first hours of the battle, reports on the successful promotion of German troops and reports on the seizure of bridges and structures of the fortress were sprinkled. At 4/42 minutes, "50 people were taken prisoners, all in one lingerie, their war found in beds." But by 10:50, the tone of combat documents has changed: "The fight for mastering the fortress is fierce - numerous losses." Two battalion commander, 1 commander of the company, was already died, the commander of one of the regiments was seriously injured.

"Soon, somewhere between 5.30 and 7.30 in the morning, it became finally clear that the Russians are desperately fighting in the rear of our advanced parts. Their infantry with the support of 35-40 tanks and armored vehicles, found by the fortress, formed several focus of defense. Enemy snipers led aiming fire due to trees, with roofs and basements, which caused large losses among officers and younger commanders. "

"Where Russians managed to knock out or spinning, new forces appeared soon. They got out of basements, houses, from sewer pipes and other temporary shelters, led aiming fire, and our losses continuously grew. "
The summary of the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht (OKS) for June 22 reported: "It seems that the enemy after initial confusion begins to provide increasingly resistance." The chief of the headquarters of the OKM Galder also agrees with this: "After the initial" tetanus "caused by the suddenness of the attack, the enemy switched to active actions."

For the soldiers of the 45th division of the Wehrmacht, the beginning of the war turned out to be completely impossible: 21 officer and 290 Unter-Officers (sergeants), not counting the soldiers, died on her first day. During the first day, the fighting in Russia, the division lost almost as many soldiers and officers as for all six weeks of the French campaign.

The most successful actions of the Wehrmacht's troops were an operation surrounding and defeating Soviet divisions in the "boilers" of 1941. In the largest of them - Kiev, Minsk, Vyazemsky - Soviet troops lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and officers. But what price did the Wehrmacht paid for this?

General Günther Blumenitratt, Head of the 4th Army headquarters: "The behavior of Russians, even in the first battle, stretchingly distinguished from the behavior of the Poles and allies, victims of the defeat on the Western Front. Even being in the rings of the environment, the Russians were defended. "

The author of the book writes: "The experience of Polish and Western campaigns suggested that the success of the Blitzkrieg strategy is to gain advantage of more skillful maneuvering. Even if you leave the brackets, martial spirit and will to resist the enemy will inevitably be broken under the pressure of huge and meaningless losses. From here, the massive passing of the demoralized soldiers proved to be surrounded by demoralized soldiers. In Russia, these "afflicting" truths were put up with legs on the head desperate, which sometimes reached the fanaticism of the resistance of Russians in, seemed of hopeless situations. That is why half of the offensive potential of the Germans and left not to promote the goal, but to consolidate the success already existed. "

Commander of the Army Group "Center" General Feldmarshal Fedor Background, during the operation to destroy the Soviet troops in the Smolensk "Cotelet", wrote about their attempts to escape from the environment: "A very significant success for the opponent's crushing blow!" The ring of the environment was not solid. Two days later, the background side was crushed: "It was still not possible to close the boolean on the eastern plot of Smolensk boiler." That night from the environment was able to come out about 5 Soviet divisions. Three more divisions broke out the next day.

On the level of German losses is evidenced by the post of headquarters of the 7th Tank Division, which is in the ranks there are only 118 tanks. 166 cars were bent (although 96 were subject to repair). The 2nd company of the 1st battalion Shelf "Great Germany" in just 5 days of fighting on the hold of the line of the Smolensk "Boiler" lost 40 people at the staff number of the company in 176 soldiers and officers.

Gradually changed the perception of war with the Soviet Union in ordinary German soldiers. The unrestrained optimism of the first days of battles was replaced by the realization that "something goes wrong." Then they came indifference and apathy. The opinion of one of the German officers: "These huge distances scare and demoralize the soldiers. The plains, the plains, the end they are not and will not. That is what drives crazy. "

Permanent concern was delivered to the troops and the action of partisans, the number of which grew as the "boilers destroyed". If at first their quantity and activity were negligible, then after the end of the battles in the Kiev "boiler", the number of partisans on the site of the South Army Group has increased significantly. At the site of the Army Group "Center" they took control of 45% of the territories captured by the Germans.

The campaign that protracted the long destruction of the surrounded Soviet troops caused more and more associations with the Napoleon army and fears in the winter. One of the soldiers of the "Center" Army Group on August 20 complained: "Losses are terrible, not compare with those that were in France." His company, starting from July 23, participated in the battles for the "tank motorway number 1". "Today, our road, tomorrow the Russians take it, then we again, and so on." Victory no longer seemed so close. On the contrary, the desperate opponation resistance undermined the martial spirit, inspired not at all optimistic thoughts. "No one has not seen the evil of these Russians. Real chains! You never know what to expect from them. And where do they get tanks and everything else?! "

During the first months, the campaign was seriously undermined by the combat capability of the Tank Army Group. By September, 41st 30% of tanks were destroyed, and 23% of cars were repaired. Almost half of all tank divisions provided for participation in the Typhoon operation, only third from the initial number of combat vehicles. By September 15, 1941, the Center for Army Center has had a total of 1346 combatants, while at the beginning of the campaign in Russia, this figure was 2609 units.

Personal losses were no less severe. By the beginning of the offensive in Moscow, German parts lost about a third of the officer. The common losses in the alive force at this point reached about half a million people, which is equivalent to losing 30 divisions. If we take into account that only 64% of the total composition of the infantry division, that is, 10,840 people were directly "fighters", and the remaining 36% came to the rear and auxiliary services, it will become clear that the combat capability of the German troops decreased even more.

So the situation on the Eastern Front appreciated one of the German soldiers: "Russia, from here, only bad news come, and we still do not know anything about you. And in the meantime, you absorb us, dissolving in our unwriting viscous expanses. "

About Russian soldiers

The initial idea of \u200b\u200bthe population of Russia was determined by the German ideology of the time, which considered Slavs "Neochoralov". However, the experience of the first fights made its own adjustments to these submissions.
Major General Gofman von Waldau, Chief of Headquarters of the Luftwaffe Command 9 days after the start of the war, wrote in his diary: "The qualitative level of Soviet pilots is much higher than the expected ... fierce resistance, its massive nature does not correspond to our initial assumptions." The first air tasters became a confirmation. Kershou leads the words of one Colonel Luftwaffe: "Soviet pilots - Fatalists, they fight to the end without any hope of victory and even for survival." It is worth noting that on the first day of the war with the Soviet Union, the Luftwaffe lost up to 300 aircraft. Never before that German Air Union did not carry such large lump sum losses.

In Germany, Radio shouted that shells "German tanks not only ignite, but also through the Russian cars." But the soldiers told each other about Russian tanks, which could not even break through the shots in the stop - shells ricochetic from armor. Lieutenant Helmut Ritgen from the 6th Tank Division recognized that in a collision with new and unknown tanks of Russians: "At the root, the very concept of tank war was changed, the car of the KV marked a completely different level of weapons, armor and weight of tanks. The German Tanks of the VMIG went into the category of exclusively anti-personosity ... "Tankist 12th Tank Division Hans Becker:" On the Eastern Front, people who can be called a special race. Already the first attack turned on the battle not for life, but for death. "

The artillery of the anti-tank gun recalls how the indelible impression on him and his comrades made the desperate resistance of the Russians in the first hours of the war: "During the attack we came across a light Russian tank T-26, we immediately clicked it straight out of 37-millimeters. When we began to approach, from Luke Tower leaned out the Russian belt and opened the shooting of the gun on us. Soon it turned out that he was without legs, they tear them away when the tank was shot down. And, despite this, he walled on our gun! "

The author of the book "1941 through the eyes of the Germans" cites the words of an officer who served in the tank division at the site of the Army Group of the Center, which shared his opinion with the Military Correspondence Curicio Malapart: "He reasoned like a soldier, avoiding epithets and metaphor, limited only by argumentation, directly had the attitude to the issues discussed. "We almost did not take prisoners, because the Russians always fought to the last soldier. They did not give up. Their hardening with our not compare ... "

The oppressive impression on the upcoming troops was made by such episodes: after a successful breakthrough of border defense, the 3rd battalion of the 18th Infantry Shelf of the Center for the Center for the Center, which had 800 people, was fired by a division of 5 soldiers. "I did not expect anything like that," said Major Nehukhof's battalion commander to his battalion. "This is the purest suicide to attack the strength of the battalion five fighters."

In mid-November 1941, one infantry officer of the 7th Tank Division, when his division burst into the villages defended by Russians in the village of Lama River, described the resistance of the Red Army. "In such a way you just do not believe, until you see with your own eyes. Soldiers of the Red Army, even burning alive, continued to shoot from the haweling houses. "

Winter 41th

In German troops quickly entered the use of the saying "Better three French campaigns than one Russian". "Here we lack comfortable French beds and hit the monotony of the terrain." "Prospects to be in Leningrad turned the infinite seats in numbered trenches."

High losses of the Wehrmacht, the lack of winter uniforms and unpreparedness of German technology to combat actions in the context of the Russian winter gradually allowed to intercept the initiative by the Soviet troops. For the three weeks from November 15 to December 5, 1941, the Russian Air Force committed 15,840 combat departures, while Luftwaffe is only 3,500, which even more demoralized the enemy.

In tank troops, the situation was similar: Lieutenant Colonel of Grampe from the headquarters of the 1st Tank Division reported that his tanks due to low temperatures (minus 35 degrees) were neatheek. "Even the towers jammed, the optical devices are covered in the other, and machine guns are capable of shooting single cartridges ..." In some units, 70% reached loss of frostbite.

Josef Dec from the 71st artillery regiment recalls: "Buckka bread had to chop with an ax. Packages of first aid petrified, gasoline frozen, optics faced out of order, and his hands adhered to the metal. On the frost, the wounded died for several minutes later. Several lucky people managed to acquire Russian outfit, shot with the troupes heated. "

Efreitor Fritz Ziegel in his letter home from December 6 wrote: "My God, what did these Russians think of doing with us? It would be nice if there at least she listened to us, otherwise we all have to die here. "

Russian soldier to kill little, it is also necessary to cook!
Friedrich second great

Russian glory does not know borders. The Russian soldier suffered what was never tolerated and the soldiers of the armies of other countries will not suffer. This is evidenced by records in memoirs of soldiers and officers of the Wehrmacht, in which they admired the actions of the Red Army:

"Close communication with nature allows Russians to move freely in the fog, through the forests and swamps. They are not afraid of darkness, endless forests and cold. They are not in the wint of winter, when the temperature drops to minus 45. Siberian, whom it is partially or even fully considered Asian, is still hardy, even stronger ... We have already experienced it for yourself during the First World War, when we had to encounter Siberian Army Corps "

"For a European, accustomed to small territories, the east distance seems to be infinite ... The horror is enhanced by the melancholic, monotonous nature of the Russian landscape, which acts inhibitively, especially dark autumn and with a long winter. The psychological influence of this country in the middle German soldier was very strong. He felt insignificant, lost in these endless expanses "

"The Russian soldier prefers a hand-to-hand fight. His ability, without having fluttered, to endure the truth surprise. Such is the Russian soldier, whom we learned and to which they were imbued with respect for another quarter of a century ago. "

"It was very difficult for us to make a clear idea of \u200b\u200bequipping the Red Army ... Hitler refused to believe that Soviet industrial production could be equal to German. We had little information about Russian tanks. We had no idea about how many tanks per month can produce the Russian industry.

It was difficult to get even cards, as the Russians kept them under a big secret. Those cards we have had, often were wrong and misled.

About the combat power of the Russian army, we also did not have accurate data. Those of us who fought in Russia during the First World War believed that she was great, and those who did not know the new enemy were inclined to underestimate it. "

"The behavior of Russian troops even in the first fights was in the striking contrast with the behavior of the Poles and the Western allies under defeat. Even surrounded by Russians continued stubborn battles. Where there were no roads, the Russians in most cases remained unacceptable. They always tried to break into the east ... our russian environment rarely happened successful. "

"From Feldmarshal, the background of Boca to the soldier everyone hoped that soon we would be marched through the streets of the Russian capital. Hitler even created a special sapper team, which was supposed to destroy the Kremlin.

When we closely approached Moscow, the mood of our commanders and troops suddenly changed dramatically. With surprise and disappointment, we found in October and early November that the defeated Russians did not cease to exist as military force at all. Over the past week, the opponent resistance intensified, and the voltage of fights increased every day ... "

Head of the Staff of the 4th Army of the Wehrmacht General Gunter Blue

"Russians do not surrender. The explosion, one more, with a minute everything is quiet, and then they again open the fire ... "
"We watched Russian with amazement. It seems to them and things did not have the fact that their main forces were crushed ... "
"Buckka bread had to chop with an ax. Several lucky people managed to acquire Russian uniforms ... "
"My God, what did these Russians think about doing with us? We are all here died! .. "

From the memories of German soldiers

"The Russians from the very beginning showed themselves as first-class warriors, and our successes in the first months of war were explained simply better training. Having gained combat experience, they became first-class soldiers. They fought with exceptional perseverance, had amazing stamina ... "

Colonel-General (later - Feldmarshal) Clastt background

"It often happened that Soviet soldiers raised their hands to show that they were pronounced by us, and after our infantrymen approached them, they again resorted to weapons; Or the wounded simulated death, and then from the rear shot in our soldiers. "

General von Manstein (also the future Field Marshal)

"It should be noted the perseverance of individual Russian compounds in battle. There were cases when the garrisons of women blew themselves together with Dotami, not wanting to give up. " (Record from June 24th.)
"The information from the front confirm that the Russians are fighting everywhere until the last person ... It's striking that with the capture of artillery batteries IT.P. In captivity, few". (June 29.)
"Fights with Russians are solely persisting character. Only a small number of prisoners captured. " (4th of July)

Diary of General Galder

"The originality of the country and the originality of the nature of the Russians gives the campaign special specificity. The first serious opponent "

Feldmarshal Brahich (July 1941)

"Approximately a hundred of our tanks, of which there were T-IV about a third, occupied the initial positions for applying the counterpart. From three sides, we were fire on the Iron Monsters of the Russians, but everything was in vain ...

Escheelated on the front and deeply Russian giants approached closer and closer. One of them approached our tank, hopelessly branched in a swampy pond. Without all sorts of oscillation, the black monster drove along the tank and left him caterpillars in the dirt.

At this point, 150 mm of the Gaubita arrived. While the commander of the artillery players warned about the approach of the enemy's tanks, the instrument opened fire, but again to no avail.

One of the Soviet tanks approached the Gaubice 100 meters. Artillerymen opened fire on him with a straight entrance and achieved the hit - I don't care what lightning hit. Tank stopped. "We hit him," artilleryrs sighed lightweight. Suddenly someone at the calculation of the guns is crying: "He went again!" Indeed, the tank came to life and began to approach the tool. Another minute, and the tank caterpillar shining metal as if the toy was imprinted in the ground. Crashing with an instrument, the tank continued the path as if nothing had happened. "

Commander of the 41st Tank Corps of the Wehrmacht General Reinegart

Bravery is the courage, inspired by spirituality. The persistence with which the Bolsheviks defended in their dotes in Sevastopol, akin to a certain animal instinct, and it would be a deep mistake to consider it the result of Bolshevik beliefs or upbringing. Russians were always such and, most likely, always remain so "

German postcard and notebook seized with arrest of prisoners of war

I was called on military service.

In the fights under the roar on August 20, Ferdy Valbreter fell for his fatherland. Last Sunday of September we are Hans and I - spent in Aachen. It was very pleasant to be seen, the Germans: German men, women and German girls. Previously, when we just arrived in Belgium, I didn't get into my eyes the difference ... To really love my homeland, you need to be away from her first.

1941 year. October. 10. 10. 41.

I'm in Karaul. Today was translated into the operating army. In the morning read the list. Almost exclusively people from construction battalions. From the July recruits - only a few mortar makers. What can you do? I can only wait. But the next time probably will affect me. Why should I ask voluntarily? I know that it will be harder to fulfill my duty, much harder, but still ...

14. 10. 41.

Tuesday. Sunday from 1 platoon took machine gunners. Among them was me. We had to swallow 20 chinine pill; Checked the shelf life in tropical conditions. On Monday received the answer: suitable. But I heard that sending was canceled. Why?

Today we had a review. He was conducted by our company commander. All this is only the theater representation. As it was possible to foresee in advance, everything went well. Vacation in Lutty for 18-19.10 is arranged.

22. 10. 41.

Vacation has already passed. Was good. Military priest we still caught. During worship, I served him. After lunch, he showed us Lutty. The day was pleasant. I felt again among the people.

Hans, Günther and Klaus left. Who knows if we see.

Houses from my brother for many weeks (7-9) No Westa. After I got the news of the death of Ferdi Valbreker, I have such a feeling as if my brah will also be killed. God will fight from this God, for the sake of my parents, especially for the sake of the mother.

Werner Kunz and Cosman killed. About Africa nothing else is heard.

Posted by Frida Grislam (attitude to the government and to the people; soldiers and woman at present).

1941 year. November.

20. 11. 41.

Five days in Eltfenbore passed. The service was very light there. In addition to firing a platoon, we practically did nothing. But we were in Germany, and it was nice. In Eltfenborne, I visited the priest.

How the Germans are held in the former Eufen Malmedy can be understood; We expected another Germany. Not such an anti-Christian. But there are both Walloon villages, and not enough. During the shooting, someone commaed a fire. When you stand and look at the flame, the old memories pop up. As it was before. For me, nothing better could now be to go with a few guys on the road, but ...

P ... also wrote about the loss of time; Now that we are in the flourish of our forces and want to use them. What would be just not bother?

What tasks await us! They say, two march battalions are being formed again. From the house news: Willy Valbrac killed too. We also brought our sacrifice. Willy Fourth. I ask: who is next?

26.11. 41.

Willie Schefer in Lazarete. It was a real comrade. All of us more often it comes to mind that I am aimlessly losing my time here. I escape who I want to be: Africa; technical profession; or a priest only for God.

Comrade relations in our room are not found. I would like to get to the front. It will be good for me.

25. 11. 41.

Yesterday morning, unexpectedly, an order for everyone came to send. Now no one wanted to believe it when we were collected. But it is so. The day passed in the outfit. Finally came what I expected, and I firmly believe that it would come. It comes more difficult, but the best (if it is a suitable expression) time. Now it is necessary to show: a man you or a coward. I hope that this experience will be acquired for me for life; I will become more mature.

About the general enthusiasm, which affected drunkenness, I do not want to write; He is not enough for a long time.

1941 year. December. 8. 12. 41.

This week I wrote different things, and you could write a lot. On the general inspiration, about the debt at the moment, etc. Düsseldorf! For you it is not good. Not!

Wednesday was here and Magdalene (in the past Sunday there were my parents). Gestapo made a search and took my letters and other things. Sleeve comments. On Sunday I will get a vacation and find out about it yet. From me, they went to the dealer and took a lot of things there. Whether they are entitled, because we live in Germany; The dealer was reckoned in ..., and from there sent to Dortmund, where it is in preliminary conclusion. Until Sunday, they still sat. Johan too. I think that a person is sitting there 60-100.

12.12. 41. Friday.

From the environment we are on the way. They say that we are 13.12. We will be in Insterburg, and 15.12 - on the other side of the border.

America also entered the war.

Here in the car closely. Whether we will fall on the southern front, now, perhaps, doubtful. Regarding the Gestapo, I was from our captain; He promised me full support. I made a letter, but here some little things, let's see. Somewhere we will be for Christmas.

13.12. 41. Saturday.

Letter in Gestapo wrote. The captain probably will sign a petition. What else to desire. I set out everything in business. Success is dubiable. We are in Insterburg.

Vost. Prussia is almost all behind. I did not shave from Monday. "Notchy and away from the Motherland." Friendly relations still have not met. I hope that at the front in this regard is better; Otherwise it would be a big disappointment for me.

16. 12. 41. Tuesday.

Lithuania, Latvia - behind. We are in Estonia. We had a long stop. I was in the city. Nothing interesting. Riga was already better. Unfortunately, we could not get to the city.

We have a terrible mood in the carriage! Yesterday they fortunate two; Today is two again. Friendly relationship here is an illusion, utopia.

Lithuania is a flat country, extensive to our gaze. Poor this country. Wooden huts everywhere (they can not be called at home), indoor straw. Inside small and close.

Latvia is not so smooth. One part is mountainous, covered with forest. At home, even in the villages here better, look more cozy. In Estonia, there are also many forests and hills.

The population here is very pretty. Language is absolutely not understood. There is only little here. There is no vodka. Food cards.

In Riga, they say 10,000 Jews (German Jews) shot. Sleeve comments. For the robbery shot three people, I support it, no matter how severely. So that it does not spread, you need a decisive intervention. This is a mistake: On Tuesday, we have not been to Estonia (18.12.)

18.12. 41.

In Russia. Estonia passed very quickly. Russia is a smooth endless country. Tundra. Received cartridges.

We drove on the following route: Riga - Valk (Estonia) - Russia; In Pskov. Pskov, they say, the third in the beauty of the city of Russia.

I read Shakespeare: "Venetian merchant" and "Hamlet". We are 10 km away. From Pskov and, probably, for a long time, the goout. Shakespeare I like.

19.12. 41.

We are still under Pskov. The fact is that the Russians greatly damaged the railway economy and there are few steam locomotives.

I gave several Russian bread. How grateful were these poor people. They are treated worse than cattle. Of the 5,000 Russians there are approximately 1000. This is a shame. What would the Dingopof, Ethigifer, if they found out that?

Then I "visited" one peasant. When I gave him a cigarette, he was happy. I looked at the kitchen. Poor! I was treated with cucumbers and bread. I left them a pack of Papile. From the language it is not clear a word, except: "Stalin", "Communist", "Bolshevik".

The ring around St. Petersburg a few days ago is broken by the Russians. Russians broke through 40 km. Against tanks ... could not do anything. Russians are extremely strong here. Is the ring from the lake, it is doubtful. Our troops are too small there. When will Leningrad fall? War! When will the end come to her?

21. 12. 41.

Today is Sunday. This is not noticeable. The trip is over. In Gatchina (Baltic) we were unloaded. The population was deposited by our wagons, asked for bread, etc. It is good when you can deliver joy to a child, a woman or a man. But they are too much.

We are 6 km away. from the station. In one room with 4 wide beds we are 16 people; For each bed - 3 people, and the other four ..?

About the last days in the car I do not want to write anything. From the soldiers' friendship - not a trace. In one camp for prisoners, they say more than 100 prisoners died during one night. 22. 12. 41.

Our apartment is good. The mistress (Finca) is very courtesy, but poor. We give her quite a lot. After all, it is better to give than to take.

24. 12. 41.

Today the Christmas tree ... In Gatchina, most churches were destroyed by German pilots, and not red. There is also a cross on the palace.

(Sconce) Ohich resigned, or he retired him. What does this mean?

27. 12. 41.

Christmas passed. In fact, it was very, very sad days, the real Christmas mood could not be.

It is said that 1 division, as she participated in very heavy battles, will be sent to the south of France. We are therefore falling, probably in 12 divisions. I hope so. Others would like to get south of France too.

Today we saw seven wagons with soldiers who arrived from the ring near Leningrad. These soldiers looked terribly. There are no such pictures in the newsreel.

It gradually becomes cold. 20 degrees.

Posted by something about soldier's life. I think a lot about Dealer, Johanne and things associated with them.

30. 12. 41.

Today or tomorrow we are sent, and moreover, in 1 division ... something will be there with a dealer, Johann and others ...

1942 year. January. 03. 01. 42.

New year has come. Will the war ended in 1942? December 31, 41. We made from Gatchina. When we passed 15-20 km, two buses arrived up and one truck, which immediately delivered 60 people. in 1 division. Among these 60s were also I, Vital and Tsuitsing. In the division, we immediately distributed the shelves; We fell three in 1 regiment. On the same evening we were sent to 3 battalion, where we spent the night in cold, like ice, dugout. It was a New Year's gift. Then we were distributed on companies. Wastenn and I got in 10 company. We went to the kitchen our products and "Furious" to the company, which for five days was on vacation and just 1.1.42. In the evening, returned to the forefront.

And here we are in the dugout. 6-7 hours a day stand in the post. The rest of the time is lying or easy. Life, unworthy man.

We are here between Leningrad and Shlisselburg, the Neva, where she does a sharp bend. Crossing still in Russian hands. We are left to her. Blinding balanced (compared to others). Here calmly. Occasionally shoot mortars. Last night one person was killed. Today in the second platoon is killed alone.

Our life is in the hands of God. 10 days we must remain on the front line, and then - 5 days of rest.

Rota has 40-50 people. From the division (15000), only 3000 remained alive. The ring around Leningrad is not closer (propaganda). Food is very good.

04. 01. 42.

Look like a pig. It is not too strong. It is impossible to wash. And so, in this form to eat. I write so not to complain. It just must be fixed.

Yesterday we brought the dead - "We do not carry the treasure, we carry the dead man." The rest do not pay attention to it. This is because you see too much dead.

Friendship! Will she come yet? I do not know. Or was I not yet mastered with a new environment?

Johann and dealer, what could it be? You often come to rabies when you think about this meanness. If you then think that you are here at the front, then there are questions that I would like to receive the answer. But there is a difference between the government and the people. This is the only solution.

07. 01. 42.

Yesterday I arrived still replenishment from 4 marching company. There are talk that we will replace us in the coming days!?!

"Comrades" sing a often beautiful song:

"High Hitler, High Hitler.
All day - High Hitler
And on Sundays High Hitler
High Hitler, High Hitler.

They sing this song to the melody "Aunt Gedigigan, aunt Gedigue, a car does not sew" ... Comments Excess.

In our department there is one soldier. He is a Catholic. He is 35 years old. Peasant (6 cows, one horse). He is from Altenburg; From Burbeside 2.5 hours walking. Maybe it can be somehow used for a group, or ..?

(?). 1. 42

Yesterday it was a conversation that we leave here. Most loosely immersed. All believe in it. I also think it is true. I call it a big pork. "Comrades" rejoice. I understand those from the very beginning here. But we have just arrived, and already back; It's right scandal. But we can not change anything in it. Where to send, no one knows. In Koenigsberg? In Finland, skiing?

13. 1. 42.

We are on vacation. If this can be called rest. Anyway, better than the advanced. As for the shift: For m mira, where there is a conversation, a new position is built.

18. 1. 42.

We are ten days old again on the front line. This time on the right position (South). We must set a slightly more posts. Little blonde, cold. Conversations were really backward. Probably, it will last long. But we believe that in the spring at the occurrence, we will not be here, since then we disappeared, everyone says.

With friendship turns out funny. Sometimes you are pleased, and sometimes again the most neuroperative and selfish act as it can be. In the near future, I will again collect cigarettes, as comrades really do not deserve to always give cigarettes.

30. 1. 42.

Only today I had time to write further. Instead of ten days, it turned out thirteen, but it was pretty good in the dugout ... during this time I once again shaved and "washed" in a water lid (1/4 liters). The background Leeb also left, or removed him. Reichena died. It is not known how to understand it. I also do not mind getting to Germany.

1942 year. February.

02. 02. 42.

Two days of rest are very soon over. Back on Sunday, 31.1, an order came. At 18 o'clock we went out and again back. We had to be here only the next morning, at 6 o'clock. At night, underwear changed and "washed". We are on the east of the old position. Again in the Neva. The plot is calmer and better. Blinds are quite comfortable. The company occupied 1800 meters (probably - the length of the defense site is approx. Ed.). In our branch of 4 people. We exhibit one person for the night. That would be nothing if you did not occupy too many other things during the day (the ammunition drains).

They say we will stay here before the onset? We do not get an equal soldering. It is not right.

15. 2. 42.

I am again in another compartment. Tomorrow we go to another place. Erwin Schulz was wounded by 7.2 flick mines. Because of this, we are forced to stand in the title. This is a bit too much, but other branches are still the same. So you need to be satisfied. Everything is still calm here. I am glad to each letter from the house. About Johanne and Dealer I now know finally ... Cum. Prayer should not be forgotten. I will be pleased with the time when I am free from military service and I can live as I want - not as all others.

Long live Moscow! Rot Front!

22. 2. 42.

We are still on the same position. It became colder again. Mail I am pleased. Gestapo was with us. They wanted to know the address. I hope that I will soon hear something about it.

27. 2. 42.

Today I am 19 years old. Efreitor Schiller arrived from MGU. The wound was not terrible, it was not caused by the Russians, but Domoomac.

I am already happy for that day when I can start working free from military service.

Unter-Officer Ridel seems to be a big pig. About the Gestapo is still nothing to hear. If somehow a few days do not hear anything at all of all that is so disgusting.

1942 year. March. 09. 03. 42.

Again a few days passed. It would be good to sleep a few nights. I don't have enough food - too little bread. Wild conversations about Vienna, Cobland, etc.

12. 03. 42.

From 9.30 to 10 hours, approximately 100-200 shots on the rifle were held, 600-1000 shots on the machine gun; In addition, a lot of lighting missiles was released. After 10 hours - silence. In the afternoon, we should not have been shown. This was done on the site from crossing Shlisselburg (15 km.) The command wanted to attract such a way of dedication or cause a distribution expulsion, as they needed prisoners to gain testimony.

On the night of 9.3. at 10.3. On the left wing of our company, a person came - a secondary or not, in this opinion the eyewitnesses diverge. He told a lot: positions are protected badly, there is nothing to eat, the commander of the company would seemed to be a Jew, and so on. Is it really doubtful. How many Russians got into our hands on the specified area, I do not know.

It was still said that if we do not get prisoners, you will have to send an intersaginder through the Neva, which can be said is a team of suicide. Volunteers, go ahead! You need to bring prisoners!

About Gestapo has not heard anything yet.

20. 3. 42

In 20-30 we were loaded and transported on trucks in the caps (a little further).

21. 3. 42

Intelligence in the forest.

24. 3. 42

About 3 hours. Order: Get ready. Now as a reserve of the battalion, sit in the blockages in which the "sun shines". Worst of all - artillery fire.

10 Rota - loss of 9 people.

10, 11, 12 rotation - loss of 60 people.

9 Rota - loss of 40%.

Our position is omega (perhaps MGA - approx. Sost.). Food is better. Easter. What will happen to Easter?

Translated: SHEHN. Intensductor I rank - Sinder.

More than once, the German officer Heino's German officer in Russia wrote in 1911: "Russians in nature are essentially not militant and on the contrary, quite peaceful ...".

"The Russian soldier is withstanding losses and keeps even when death is inevitable for him" - he wrote an eyewitness of the death of the XXth Corps of the Russian Army in the August Forests S. Steiner in the newspaper "Local Anheiger".

Soldiers and officers of the XXth Corps, shooting almost all the guests, February 15 went to the last bayonet attack and were almost focusing shot by German artillery and machine guns. More than 7 thousand them died in one day, the rest were captured.

German Military Correspondent R. Brandt wrote: "An attempt to break through was complete madness, but Holy Madness - heroism, which showed the Russian warrior, what we know him from the time of Skobelev, the assault of the Pulvenous, the battles in the Caucasus and the assault of Warsaw! The Russian soldier knows how to fight very much! Well, he tolerate all sorts of deprivation and is able to be resistant, even if he inevitably threatens faithful death! "

"The Russian soldier is different without a doubt a big courage ... The whole social life taught him to see in solidarity the only means of salvation ... There is no possibility to dispel Russian battalions: the danger is closer, the stronger the soldiers are for each other ..." - noted F. Engels In its fundamental work "Can Europe can disarmament."

Military browser of the Austrian newspaper "Pester Loyd" in the room dated October 27, 1915 wrote: "It would be ridiculous to speak with disrespect of Russian pilots. Russian pilots are more dangerous enemies than French.

Russian cheers are cold-blooded. In the attacks of Russians, perhaps there is no compositeness as well as the French, but in the air, Russian pilots are unshakable and can carry large losses without any panic. The Russian pilot is and remains a terrible opponent. "

The German Military Historian General Background Poek in the work "The German cavalry in Lithuania and Kurlendia" noted: "The Russian cavalry was a worthy opponent. Personal composition was great ... Russian cavalry never shied away from the fight on a ride and walk.

The Russians often walked into the attack on our machine guns and artillery, even when their attack was doomed to defeat. They did not pay attention to either for the power of our fire, nor on their losses. "

Officer of the Austro-Hungarian army von Khodkevich wrote: "Russians - the opponent is thrust, valiant and extremely dangerous ... The Russian cavalry is gorgeous with its valor, a learning and horse makeup, but, as well as we, prone to unnecessary arrogant actions ...

Russian infantryman is unpretentious, hardy, and, as a rule, with good command, extremely racks. In the offensive, the Russian infantry is extremely insensitive to losses.

Under the javils, the attack of Siberian shooters made an indelible impression on me. Looking at how they keep under our fire, I wanted to applaud them: "Bravo, gentlemen!" ... Russian artilleryrs are generally above all praise. I remembered how they pressed our regiment to Earth in Limanova. "

Walter Beckman, volunteer of the 2nd equestrian regiment of the Guards Cavalry Rifle Division of the German army, in his book "The Germans about the Russian Army" wrote: "The shelves who have been in the east have retained for a long time, at all theaters of hostilities, wherever he threw them Fate, durable memories of deprivation and grave battles on this front and o unusual perseverance of the Russian soldier. "

An excerpt from the secret analytical note of the German General Staff, compiled on the eve of the First World War.

"... the peculiarity of the Russian people. This rise in military affairs in Russia after the Russian-Japanese war is limited to the disadvantages of the Russian people, which cannot be eliminated by any money or by organizational work.

These shortcomings are in the reluctance to engage in any methodical work and love for the conveniences, in an insufficient sense of debt, fear of responsibility, the absence of the initiative and complete inability to correctly determine and use the time.

We must admit that along with these shortcomings, the Russian people also have good military qualities. First of all, these qualities are explained by the fact that the Russian people nine tenths are the people of peasant.

Human material. The human material is necessary, in general, to consider good. The Russian soldier is Silen, unprecedented and brave, but nerviar, is dissatisfied with both inflexibility mentally.

It easily loses its qualities in the head, who personally, he is unfamiliar, and the connections to which he is not used to. Therefore, the good qualities of the Russian infantry with the former method of combat in closed connections could manifest better than now.

The Russian soldier relatively little susceptible to external impressions. Even after failures, Russian troops will quickly approach and will be capable of persistent defense.

The combat suitability of the Cossacks compared with the past times has decreased significantly. Cossacks allow the state to create a cheap majority of the cavalry, the military qualities of which, however, are lagging behind the qualities of regular cavalry; In particular, the Cossacks are affordable for the fight with closed compounds. In particular, this refers to the Cossacks of the second and third militia.

In recent years, the army had a significant success of revolutionary aspirations, especially in technical troops. But in general, the Russian soldier is still faithful to the king and reliable ...

The advantages of Russian officers are composure and strong nerves that do not pass even in the most difficult positions ... ".

The persistence of Russian soldiers in defense, insensitivity to artillery fire, dashing in the offensive was observed as German soldiers in the 1914th and their descendants in 1941.

Among the Russian soldiers, Siberians always stand out and stand out. This is what I wrote about them, for example, General A.V. Turkul - Veteran of the First World War and Civil Wars: "I remember how these athounds and proud beardeds went to the attack with icons on top of the sinels, and the icons are large, blackened, grandfathers ...

From the trenches, the other strives the habit of more often, behaving himself, and where Babahets - and does not follow. The Siberian arrows rarely beats, but apt. He always strives to shoot on the sight ... a disastrous accuracy of their fire and combat exposure, as well as known, many military, and among them General Ludendorf. "

Russian Military Historian Kernsnovsky wrote: "The reputation of the Siberian shooters, created by Sotalka Shahoe and on the Verki Port Arthur, was confirmed with bloody glitter confirmed in the storms of World War."

"The one who fought against the Russians in the Great War," Major wrote Kurt Hesse, "will keep deep respect for this opponent forever in his soul.

Without those major technical means, what we had at their disposal, only weakly supported by their artillery, should have the sibirsk steppes's sons of the weeks and months with us with us. After the blood, they courageously performed their duty ... "

One of the German soldiers of the 341th Infantry Regiment, recalled: "... While we were going and prepared for defense, they appeared suddenly because of the foil Kobylin of the group of horses, as if without riders ... two, four, Eight ... Everything is in a larger and more ...

Here I was remembered suddenly Eastern Prussia, where I had to deal with the Cossacks, and I shouted: "Shoot! Cossacks! Cossacks! Horse attack!"

At that time, cries rang out: "They hang on the side of the horses! Fire! Hold on to anything!" Who could only hold the rifle, not waiting for the team, opened fire. Who is standing, who is from the knee, who is lying. Fired and wounded ... opened fire and machine guns, shook the bullets attacking hail ...

Everywhere - hellish noise ... Now we could already clearly consider the enemy. Riders appeared on the right and left of Kobylin, crumbled as unleashed sheaf, and rushed to us. In the first line there were Cossacks who hung up on the side of horses, with peaks in their hands ...

The riders rushed onto the field gallop. It was possible to see their wild, dark, Sarmatian faces and the isge of terrible peak. Horror took possession of us; Hair literally became endy. The despair suggested us prompted one thing: shoot until the last opportunity and as expensive to sell his life.

In vain filed by officers the team "Lit!" The immediate proximity of the Terrible Danger forced everyone who could, jump on his feet and prepare for the last battle.

A few steps from me, the Cossack pierced the peak of my comrade; Piercing the forearm of the crash of his fiber, until he fell from the horse hit by several bullets Russian rider ... "

"It often happened," said General von Manstein, commander of the 56th tank corps, - that the Soviet soldiers raised their hands to show that they are pronounced by us, and after our infantrymen approached them, they again resorted to weapons again; Or the wounded simulated death, and then from the rear shot in our soldiers " {158} .

"It should be noted the perseverance of individual Russian compounds in battle," the head of the general headquarters of the land forces, headquarters, wrote on June 24 in his diary, should be noted. - There were cases when the garrisons of bits blew themselves together with Dotami, not wanting to give up {159} Five days later, Halder straightens himself: these are not separate cases. "The information from the front confirm that the Russians are fighting everywhere until the last person ... striking that when capturing artillery batteries, etc. Few minor surrenders. Part of the Russians fight until they are killed, others run, throw out uniform uniforms and try to leave the environment under the guise of peasants " {160} .

July 4, a new entry: "Fights with Russians are solely stubborn character. Only a small number of prisoners captured. " {161} .

A month later, Galder records the final and extremely unpleasant conclusion for the German command, made by Field Marshal Brushech: "The peculiarity of the country and the originality of the nature of the Russians gives the campaign to special specifics. The first serious opponent " {162} .

In addition, the command of the "South" armies group arrives: "The forces that oppose us are for the most part of a decisive mass, which in perseverance of the war is something completely new compared to our former opponents. We are forced to admit that the Red Army is a very serious opponent ... Russian infantry showed unheard of perseverance primarily in the defense of stationary fortified structures. Even in the case of falling all neighboring structures, some dots called to surrender, kept until the last person. " {163} .

The Minister of Propaganda Goebbels, before the start of the invasion, I considered that "Bolshevism will collapse as a cardhouse", already on July 2, he writes in the diary: "On the Eastern Front: the fighting continues. Reinforced and desperate opponation resistance ... The opponent has a lot of dead, little wounded and prisoners ... In general, very heavy battles occur. About "walk" can not be speech. Red mode mobilized people. The fabulous stubbornness of the Russians is added to this. Our soldiers barely cope. But still everything goes according to plan. The situation is not critical, but serious and requires all efforts. " {164} .

"Red Army 1941-1945. It was a much stronger enemy than the royal army, because she selflessly fought for the idea, "the bluzymitrite summed up. - It strengthened the resistance of Soviet soldiers. The discipline in the Red Army was also observed more clearly than in the royal army. They know how to defend themselves and stand to death. Attempts to defeat them stand a lot of blood " {165} .

And in the speeches of Hitler for a narrow circle of comrades, at the end of September, the literal notes began to sound: "We must pursue two goals. The first - at any cost to keep our positions on the Eastern Front. The second is to hold the war as far away from our borders. " {166} . This is what they started to think in Berlin and long before our offensive near Moscow! Here's how the Nazis came up with the Red Army, which, if you believe Solzhenitsyn with the comrades, I slept in front of German tanks and hundreds of thousands was captured!

The truth about how the Russians fight, gradually reached in Reich, forcing the Germans to think.

"Until today, persistence in battle was due to the fear of the gun of the Commissioner and Politruck," the analytics of SD was written in the service note. - Sometimes a complete indifference to life was interpreted on the basis of animals of the features inherent in people in the east. However, again, a suspicion was suspicious that naked violence was not enough to cause action to neglect the life of action in battle ... Bolshevism ... instilled in most Russian population a unlimited determination " {167} .

The hardest thing came to the head of the OKM Feldmarshal Kaitel. In May, forty-second year, the head of the OKV, in favor of Führeru, still said that the Russians are too stupid to "defend and stand to death" {168} . However, by that time it was already clear that We are talking about the impassable stupidity of non-Soviet soldiers, but a concrete German Feldmarshal » .

Source - Dyukov "For what Soviet people fought"