24. August 1944

Aus Westmärker Wiki
Zur Navigation springen Zur Suche springen

Help

Kalendernavigation ab 1944 -04-16.jpg

Editorial 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 Epilog Anhang

Table Of Contents

January February March April May June July August September October November December Eine Art Bilanz Gedankensplitter und Betrachtungen Personen Orte Abkürzungen Stichwort-Index Organigramme Literatur Galerie:Fotos,Karten,Dokumente

Chronik

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

Erfahrungen i.d.Gefangenschaft Bemerkungen z.russ.Mentalität Träume i.d.Gefangenschaft

Personen-Index Namen,Anschriften Personal I.R.477 1940–44 Übersichtskarte (Orte,Wege) Orts-Index Vormarsch-Weg Codenamen der Operationen im Sommer 1942 Mil.Rangordnung 257.Inf.Div. MG-Komp.eines Inf.Batl. Kgf.-Lagerorganisation Kriegstagebücher Allgemeines Zu einzelnen Zeitabschnitten Linkliste Rotkreuzkarte Originalmanuskript Briefe von Kompanie-Angehörigen

Deutsch
Badge of the Latvian volunteers
There were at least three different basic forms of the badge, each with several variants, which was worn (initially) on the left or (later?) on the right sleeve
In the summer of 1944, the great retreat began. Anything that did not appear vital was left behind, burned, destroyed or blown up.[1]

The next morning we move on. On the way, we pass a farm where Latvian volunteers are exercising.[2] They wear German uniforms with a coat of arms in the Latvian colours on the sleeve.

Destination reached. We have arrived at the command post of an infantry division.[3] As the division has recently suffered heavy losses, there is great joy at the replacement. After an extensive rest, the battalion lines up to form an open square and the general gives a short speech. Then the breakdown of our march battalion among the individual regiments, signals units, engineer battalion, etc. begins. I see the little chubby-cheeked soldier from Bromberg being placed with the fusiliers. Reconnaissance batallion! That means patrol and assault detachments. For a moment I’m tempted to get him out of there again, but then I don’t. It’s pointless trying to play fate. If it pleases God to let him live, then he will do the same with the fusiliers. And if he’s destined to die, then I won’t save him either.

When I hand over the equipment, I’m missing two torches. Everything else is in order. After the handover formalities, the general hosts the march battalion staff. They make no secret of the fact that we officers could also be put to good use. One pompous young company commander in particular demands loudly and seriously that we simply be kept here. Of course, nothing comes of it. As it is already too late to return today, we spend the night at the divisional staff. Before going to bed, I step outside the house again. Night has fallen and deep darkness lies over the land. From the height of my position, one can see far into the country and overlook the entire front.[4] I look down into the wide, night-dark hollow. The front line is down there! It’s quiet over there. Only here and there a flare rises silently. A house burns in the distance. I can clearly see the glowing red flames lickering, bathing the surroundings in a flickering, gloomy red.


— next date →

Editorial 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 Epilog Anhang

January February March April May June July August September October November December Eine Art Bilanz Gedankensplitter und Betrachtungen Personen Orte Abkürzungen Stichwort-Index Organigramme Literatur Galerie:Fotos,Karten,Dokumente

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

Erfahrungen i.d.Gefangenschaft Bemerkungen z.russ.Mentalität Träume i.d.Gefangenschaft

Personen-Index Namen,Anschriften Personal I.R.477 1940–44 Übersichtskarte (Orte,Wege) Orts-Index Vormarsch-Weg Codenamen der Operationen im Sommer 1942 Mil.Rangordnung 257.Inf.Div. MG-Komp.eines Inf.Batl. Kgf.-Lagerorganisation Kriegstagebücher Allgemeines Zu einzelnen Zeitabschnitten Linkliste Rotkreuzkarte Originalmanuskript Briefe von Kompanie-Angehörigen

  1. Haupt 1976, 13th colour page between p. 96 and 97
  2. There were Latvian volunteers in the police and in the SS. However, as the SS units were in a different area at the time, it must have been a police unit, most likely the 271st Valmiera Police Battalion, which was tasked with guarding the Sigulda-Cēsi railway line at that time. There was apparently also a Latvian “Ost” company in Army Group North and a Latvian replacement company (with as yet unknown locations) under Wehrmacht Commander Ostland.
  3. The division cannot be identified. Due to the unclear duration of the rail trip and the long march, almost all divisions of the 18th Army come into question. Should the author - as assumed above - have been in the march battalion 495, it would (according to KTB II.A.K., NARA T-314 Roll 163 Frame 000396) have been the 87th I.D. (command post at Sangaste) (see map of the Walk area).
  4. 87. I.D. command post was in Sangaste manor for sure, and if he really was here, the author may have seen the front as from here. But wouldn’t the author have mentioned such a monor?