What the NAZIS said about Russian SOLDIERS. War Stories

The Battle of Stalingrad

This section provides an overview of the Battle of Stalingrad and the experiences of German soldiers during the battle.

The Brutality of the Battle

• The fighting was so fierce that anyone who was left in the city barely had a chance of surviving until the next day.

• Private Hermann Heis describes being poked with a bayonet by a Russian soldier and losing consciousness.

• Lieutenant Ritter writes in his diary about how Stalingrad turned them into emotionless corpses, describing it as hell.

• One Russian soldier is stronger than their whole squad, according to machine gunner Adolf.

Hopelessness and Heavy Losses

• An unidentified soldier writes about how they have attacked one single building for 58 days without success, suffering heavy losses.

• They don't believe in miracles anymore and time is on the side of the Russians now.

• Heinrich Malkus describes how only 16 out of 140 soldiers were left after two weeks of fighting.

• Machine gunner Adolf writes to his mother about hiding during the day to avoid being shot like animals by Russians with keen eyes.

Desperation and Inhumane Acts

• Oberger fighter Joseph Zemack describes Stalingrad as a living hell where there are barely 30 people in each squad.

• Soldier Otto Shaktig writes about boiling dogs, cats, and magpies for food due to desperation.

• Officer from the eighth light machine Gunnery Park describes how thousands of Russians and Jews were shot together with their wives and children near Kiev and Kharkiv.

Panic and Defeat

• They have to do everything possible to win the war, according to soldier Otto Shaktig.

• Panic sets in as they hear that the town of Kalach is back in Russian hands, causing many soldiers to lose hope.

Soldiers' Testimonies

This section contains excerpts from testimonies of soldiers who were fighting in the war.

Soldiers' Testimonies

• Passing through Gumrack, a soldier saw a crowd of retreating soldiers weaving in all kinds of uniforms wrapping all kinds of clothing on themselves just to keep warm. Suddenly, one of the soldiers fell into the snow and the others passed by indifferently.

• German soldiers died of starvation and then froze along the road and in the fields and dugouts and near dugouts.

• Captain Kurt Mendelhim testified that they had 60 members killed, wounded, or frostbitten over two days. The soldiers had not eaten anything at all for three days, and many of them had frostbite on their legs. They decided to surrender to save their lives after reading an ultimatum leaflet.

• Corporal Joseph Schwarz read the ultimatum and felt burning anger towards their generals who apparently decided to finish them off in this goddamn place.

Letters from Home

This section contains letters written by family members back home.

Letters from Home

• A mother wrote a letter to her son about watching him take part in battle on TV. She hoped that Moscow would fall soon so that he could return home safely.

• Non-commissioned officer Klaus Schwartz wrote a letter to Gertrude about his observations at his observation post in the church. He expressed his frustration with not making any progress for four days and how difficult it was to keep himself and others motivated.

Collapse of Front

This section describes the collapse of the front and how soldiers were left to their own devices.

Collapse of Front

• Corporal Albrechten wrote a letter to his wife about how the front had collapsed, and everyone was on their own. The supplies were still bad, so defeat was inevitable. They were attacked by six or nine sb2s or il-2s with two or three fighters over the last few days.

German Soldiers' Letters from the Eastern Front

This section contains excerpts from letters written by German soldiers and officers during the war against the USSR. The letters describe the harsh realities of war, including severe losses, fierce battles, and atrocities committed by both sides.

Harsh Realities of War

• German soldiers are out of ammunition and facing fierce attacks from Russian planes.

• Soldiers report severe losses in their squads, with many killed or wounded.

• The fighting is getting harder and harder, with every battle resulting in more casualties.

• Soldiers witness the destruction of Russian cities and the killing of civilians by both sides.

Atrocities Committed by Both Sides

• German soldiers kill unarmed Russians in occupied territories.

• A military doctor shoots four Russians right before a soldier's eyes.

• A soldier describes how Germans commit debauchery, robbery, violence, and murder against civilians while Russians defend themselves bravely.

Mixed Emotions Among German Troops

• A non-commissioned officer acknowledges that Russian soldiers fight bravely to defend their homeland to the last drop of blood.

• Another soldier expresses exhaustion and frustration with continuous fighting and hopes for an imminent end to the war.

• In contrast to earlier optimism about victory over Russia, a corporal writes home expressing doubts about Germany's ability to win this war.

German Soldiers' Accounts of the War

This section provides excerpts from letters and diaries of German soldiers during World War II, describing their experiences on the Eastern Front.

Excerpts from Letters and Diaries

• One soldier describes the effect of surprise on Russian soldiers during an attack.

• Another soldier writes to his mother about the genius of Hitler in attacking Russia before they could attack Germany.

• A tank commander notes his success in hitting enemy tanks and expresses confidence in a quick German victory.

• Several soldiers write home about the harsh conditions they face, including constant attacks, high casualties, and lack of food.