The source: “Das ist Heldentum!,” Illustrierter Beobachter, 21 January 1943, pp.
2-3.
The homeland
gets occasional details of the heroic defensive battle our soldiers are waging
in the East. Names like Stalingrad, Welikje-Luki, Rschew, Illmensee and others
have become symbols of the unbelievable heroism of German soldiers and their
allies. We hear also of the heroism of individual soldiers, in comparison to
whom all former military exploits pale. There is no point in giving the details
of every individual act of heroism and bravery, for in the end all those
fighting to stop the bestial foe are heroes. Like wolves in the forest, the
enemy attacks only with overwhelming number. Every day, positions held by a few
troops must withstand steady attacks by enemy masses. Yet they hold firm. Then
masses of enemy artillery churn up the frozen soil. Suddenly a tank charges the
few defenders. One man jumps up from the trench, then another. Carrying
explosives, they charge the steel-covered monsters. These three drawings of a
minor battle southeast of Illmensee show the heroism of one grenadier sergeant.
The enemy attack has begun. Although the Soviet tank is
protected by infantry, a grenadier with a machine gun breaks through them to
approach the steel giant.
While the tank is still
firing, the
grenadier sergeant climbs on, carrying an explosive charge.
The first tank is blown up. Two hours later the Soviets
attacked again, supported by a second tank. The same sergeant dispatches it.
The following night the Soviets attack again, this time with the support of
several tanks. The sergeant climbs on yet another steel giant and blows its
treads off, allowing the motionless tank to be completely destroyed. A single
German soldier destroyed three enemy tanks within twenty-four hours.
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