Скачать с ютуб Departing the Caucasus, a German soldier's 1943 diary - Ukraine, Kerch Strait, Cossacks, Crimea в хорошем качестве

Departing the Caucasus, a German soldier's 1943 diary - Ukraine, Kerch Strait, Cossacks, Crimea

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 103 The end of February, 1943. After weeks of heaving fighting, the Soviet push into the Caucasus region which began after the fall of Stalingrad gained in strength. Eventually the German command was forced to order a shortening of the front. In our zone, we were ordered to hold fast until told otherwise. Finally on the evening of the February 27 the order came in. Early the following morning most of the vehicles would be departing and that the remaining would follow shortly behind. Our B. -Wagen, or mobile office, which was loaded with the important documents, regulations, maps and the range-finders, will be leaving in the first group. In the evening the larger items, for example the document cases, are packed up. All non-essential items are simply left behind. That’s how we unfortunately are to be separated from our three metal beds, our table and our four stools that have served us well for such a long time. Our self-made bunk bed was already lost a few days earlier when we needed firewood and it ended up in the oven. At 3.00 hrs. the day of our departure the weather is luckily quite good. During the night the ground had frozen which provided the vehicles with a hard surface to drive on and allows us to get clear of the muddy town. Just before leaving I cook some liver and then minced beef mixed with onion and salt in a pan on the oven. We’ll certainly get hungry during the trip and something could happen to the field kitchen. On our way out of Krymskaja (Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia) we’re greeted by a number of Russian planes. Fortunately it’s still dusk and our column of about 70 vehicles isn’t spotted. They continue on towards Noworossisjk. A little later the sun breaks through and suddenly there in front of us rises the spectacular Caucasian Mountain Range with its mountain peeks covered with in snow. It looks as though the sun is doing battle with the last of the clouds, It’s a magnificent sight. After a short drive through a valley we enter the mountainous region. Where before, with the warmth from sun there was an almost springlike feeling, now as we climbed in elevation the temperature drops and winter seems to have returned. The steepening incline is no problem for our V8 Ford which has 4-wheel-drive. Karl is a fine driver, he learned how to master mountain-driving in Yugoslavia. Where other vehicles in the column have problems, Karl manages to continue. We pass by two horse mounted Cossacks who are easily identified from a distance by the red capes. They look odd with their black fur caps, their long swords and the bright colors. A larger town is reached and there is plenty of commotion from the presence of a large mixture of soldiers and civilians. We see a company of Cossacks, cossacks in field grey German uniforms - only by the insignia being worn on their collar (Kragenspiegel) and shoulders can they be identified as Cossacks. Then it is suddenly becomes clear what is going on. They are all carrying shovels and digging trenches for the defense of the area. Included in the crowd are Russian women and girls also with shovels there to do their part of the heavy work. The reaction to our presence varies. Many consider us friends, preferring us to the Soviets. They can usually be identified by their appearance being clean and well kept, wearing fur jackets and nice clothing. This friendliness has much to do with the behavior of our soldiers. With few exceptions, we generally respect the personal property, the food, the livestock, of the people from the Caucasian region. Only the chickens are in real danger. Hardly a German soldier has resisted taking at least one. Even the most useful items such as buckets, pots and pans, axes, saws, oil lamps are not taken. But a chicken passing by, that’ll go straight into our pot. Then there are those who have a more Bolshevik tendency. They see us as the “Nazis” who have come and destroyed their country. Of these, of course, there are few who actually let their opinion be known. Just as different as their way of thinking, is their appearance. Most of them wear bulky stained jackets, tattered trousers, and dirty old head cloths. But here, now all are mixed together and working with a shovel, it’s an odd scene. Before I show the second clip of the Cossack training footage I’d like to thank my Patreon supporters. Without them buying these originals to make this content would not be possible. If you are not yet a supporter, please consider becoming one. As a supporter you receive access to exclusive footage that can’t be shown here. Sign up for a free account at Military1945.com and take a look at some example footage. And now, let’s get back to the Cossacks.