Jeff Rutherford - The German Army on the Eastern Front - An Inner View of the Ostheer's Experiences of War

At the same time, this British union big shot suggested that the Germans could be used in similar slave labour in other countries and in closing, he let the cat out of the bag in that he wrote:

‘Under these conditions, it will take many years before Germany will once again have the opportunity to compete with England and the USA in the world market.’

Such plans are nothing new to us. What the Bolsheviks intend with the German Volk is known. It has likewise been long proven that the Kremlin-Jews with their fanatical hatred [ Hassfanatismus ] have been found to be in complete agreement with the Jews in London and Washington. Months ago, one of Roosevelt’s favourite journalists declared that no German soldier in the east will see his Heimat again, and should instead be shipped away from the battlefield to the Siberian steppe.

That is the ‘happiness’ after the war promised to us by our enemies. But: they have reckoned without their host, without us!

Comrades! We think about what the Führer said in his headquarters to the assembled party leadership on 6 October 1943:

‘We will fight everywhere and never tire until our goal is achieved. Take firmly and unshakeably the belief in your heart that if our will does not waver, then this war will end with a great German victory.’

There will be a German victory at the end of this war! As long as this victory is not achieved, it is futile to speak at all about peace. The expression ‘after the war’, which we utter daily, is therefore senseless and aids enemy propaganda. It can only be said: after the victory! There will be no peace until we have won.

[…]

Three Foreign Ministers around the Conference Table

Eden, Hull and Molotov meet in Moscow

An official announcement in elevated diplomatic language about the ‘complete agreement’ of opinion will be produced at the conclusion of the discussions between the three foreign ministers of the enemy powers Great Britain, the USA, and the USSR. This announcement is opium for the Soviet Union’s peoples.

In reality, the differences between the participants fiercely collided. Stalin repeatedly asked: where are your divisions?

Hull, Roosevelt’s representative, pointed out the heavy casualties of the so-called Second Front and demanded [of the Soviets]: advance faster, attack more determinedly. To be sure, this meant even more destroyed cities and villages and even more dead, but you [the Soviets] must understand that the loss of one American soldier weighed just as much as 1,000 dead Soviet soldiers.

Eden attempted in vain to facilitate what his secret directives said: to do everything to promote the mutual bleeding-white of the Soviet Union and Germany, in order to avoid a domination of the victor.

In this document, two different tracks were taken. On the one hand, the division welfare officer attempted to inspire his men to fight to the end based on Soviet plans for Germany, which allegedly had the support of the British and Americans. Working within the context of the omnipresent Jewish conspiracy propounded by the Nazi leadership, he argued that the Soviet Union planned to destroy German society and decimate its male population through slave labour in Siberia. On the other hand, the document also portrayed a fractured enemy alliance, playing up the widely believed split between the western Allies and their Soviet counterparts. In concert, these two ideas worked to both instil fear of Allied victory in the German army’s ranks, as well as provide the men with a sliver of hope that the Allied coalition was destined to fray.

Such ideas were also expressed by the men themselves in letters written home. While obviously not every German soldier identified with the Nazi programme, some did find much of value in National Socialism. One soldier wrote to his wife:

How can a man who had leading role in party and no doubt wants to continue to be so disgraceful in his attitude, especially now as a soldier?!! And then in the end still ask me for an assignment!!! I now recognize the correct and unshakable basic ideas of National Socialism and avow that I see them not as a party program but rather as an expression of my and the German nature! [38]

Though the transmission of ideological material was an important part of the welfare officer’s duties, it constituted only a portion of his daily routine. A report submitted by the 126th Infantry Division’s welfare officer in autumn 1943 highlighted the various, often mundane, ways that the army attempted to maintain morale. [39]

I) Work and measures for spiritual care and for military-ideological leadership

In the reporting period, the division remained in its positions on the north-wing of Eighteenth Army in front of Leningrad. The favourable conditions found there facilitated the spiritual care. During this time period there was no large engagements; however, news about the preparations for a large Russian attack led to increased work, in which periodic difficulties with the performing of spiritual care arose as a result. Carried out in particular were:

1) On 12.10, a meeting of the battalion welfare officers took place in which all pending questions were discussed.

a) In the staffing of the battalion welfare officers, [personnel] stability is needed for a well-ordered work.

b) As a result of the presence of new battalion welfare officers, a fundamental clarification of the tasks [is once again explained]. Instructions on the necessity of this area of work. Sole responsibility to regimental and battalion commanders as well as company commanders, battalion welfare officers only for support!

c) The prerequisites for all work are reasonable material living conditions. Then spiritual care can be employed for enlightenment. Not until then is military-ideological leadership really possible.

d) From this point of view, all areas, as they specifically lay with the division, were discussed:

Material conditions (shelter, food, etc.): satisfactory,

Spiritual care: especially favourable conditions, 15 well-equipped care stations.

Military ideological leadership: much is left to be done in this area.

e) Subsequently, an orientation of the entire political and military situation as given to him [the D.B.O ] at the division welfare officer conference in Kingisepp [Yamburg] by the Army was described in a detailed report.

2) Spiritual Care:

a) Film. The number of screenings could be increased. 8,691 spectators were recorded in 53 showings. The colour film ‘Münchhausen’ [40]received particular interest.

b) Variety shows: The theatre troop’s ‘Something is happening today!’, Soldier’s theatre ‘Kubu’ from the 58th Infantry Division.

c) Care material: Care material distributed:

1,250 books out of the OKW library

1,500 anthologies of ‘Soldiers’ letters for the Promotion of Occupational Training’

23,000 field post letters 200 card games

Personal effects (mirror, pipes, shoe inserts, etc.) in small amounts.

From the front book store were purchased:

for RM 5,500 – books and 3,680 – recreational games (1,255 units), that can be sent home as Christmas presents

From Lth Army Corps was further allocated:

500 books ‘South of Lake Ladoga’ with 500 picture books ‘10 Weeks’

The Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda’s Troop Entertainment Department donated for the excellent contribution of the division to the WHW [ Winterhilfswerke or Winter Relief Help]:

10,000 cigarettes

500 cigars

200 parcels of tobacco

3,000 field post letters

40 writing pads

120 various games

100 skat games

200 books

100 ‘We are with You’

2000 short novels

2 piano-accordions