Monday 14 October 2024

Carl Orff – Carmina Burana (1937)


Conductor: Eugen Jochum

Performance: Chorus and Orchestra of the Berlin State Opera

Year of recording: 1968

 

Gundula Janowitz: Soprano

Gerhard Stolze: Tenor

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau: Baritono

 

1.      Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi, Empress of the World: O Fortuna

2.      Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: Fortune plango vulnera

3.      I. Primo Vere: Veris leta facies

4.      I. Primo Vere: Omnia Sol temperat

5.      I. Primo Vere: Ecce gratum

6.      Uf dem Anger: Tanz, Dance

7.      Uf dem Anger: Floret silva nobilis

8.      Uf dem Anger: Chramer, gip die varwe mir

9.      Uf dem Anger: Reie, Round dance

10.  Uf dem Anger: Swaz hie gat umbe

11.  Uf dem Anger: Chume, chum, geselle min! Swaz hie gat umbe

12.  Uf dem Anger: Were diu werlt alle min

13.  II. In Taberna: Estuans interius

14.  II. In Taberna: Olim lacus colueram

15.  II. In Taberna: Ego sum abbas

16.  II. In Taberna: In taberna quando sumus

17.  III. Cour d’amours: Amor volat undique

18.  III. Cour d’amours: Dies, nox et omnia mihi sunt contraria

19.  III. Cour d’amours: Stetit puella

20.  III. Cour d’amours: Circa mea pectora multa sunt suspiria

21.  III. Cour d’amours: Si puer cum puellula

22.  III. Cour d’amours: Veni, veni, venias

23.  III. Cour d’amours: In trutina mentis dubia

24.  III. Cour d’amours: Tempus est iocundum

25.  III. Cour d’amours: Dulcissime

26.  Blanziflor et Helena: Ave formossissima

27.  Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: O Fortuna

Saturday 12 October 2024

Die Deutsche Wochenschau – Newsreel No. 588 – 10 December 1941


– Grossdeutschland Regiment in Action near Moscow.;

– Reich Marshal Göring in Conference with France’s Marshal Petain.;

– One of the two U-boats that sank British Carrier Ark Royal Returns to Port.;

– German and British Fighter Planes in a Dogfight over the English Channel.;

– Colonel General Guderian’s Panzers Attack Southwest of Moscow.;

– Italian and German Troops Battle the Brits and New Zealanders in North Africa.

Wednesday 9 October 2024

Adolf Hitler – Speech at the Opening of the Second Winterhilfswerk, 09.10.1934

 

(Short excerptions)

 

Berlin on October 9, 1934

 

Thus, prosperity means not only an increase in the possibilities of enjoyment, but above all an increase in obligations. The view that the spending of a fortune of any size is the private affair of the individual requires revision in the National Socialist State all the more because no single individual could enjoy such a privilege without the collaboration of the whole.

 

If I turn particularly to these circles who enjoy average to above-average standing, I am doing so because I am sufficiently acquainted with the willingness to sacrifice exhibited by the broad masses of our Volk in the cities and out in the country and know that the latter, who have so often suffered firsthand from the curse of unemployment and economic misery, have the most sympathy with their Volksgenossen who are still unfortunate today.

 

However, I believe that it is necessary to point out one thing in particular here: The insurance business in Germany today has been built up to cover a large network. Today, people insure themselves against fire and water damage, against theft, against burglary, against hailstorms and drought, against sickness and death-and spend billions doing so. But woe betide a people which forgets that the most precious possession it should insure is its political common sense. That same political common sense which is soundly embodied in the Volksgemeinschaft.

 

The German Volk can pride itself today that it has found its way back to this common sense. But let everyone be conscious of how tremendous is the benefit for all which generates from this sound political development.

 

You might care, my Volksgenossen, to shift your gaze from Germany for just a moment to take a critical look at the conditions in other countries. Riots, civil war, social strife, and economic crises follow each other in uninterrupted sequence. The torches of revolt are being carried far and wide. Strikes and lockouts are eating up millions of the people’s assets, but the misery remains great nearly everywhere. In Germany, we have overcome all of that.

 

Yet not because a few economists put their factories back in operation, but because the Volksgemeinschaft created by National Socialism abolished this political and economic madness, thus securing orders for the factories and an income for workers and entrepreneurs.

Monday 7 October 2024

SS-Unterscharführer Holger Thor Nielsen – A Heroic Danish NCO in the European Waffen-SS

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine - Vol. X, No. 2,

Whole Number 58, Spring 1995

 

By H.T. Nielsen

 

ABOVE: Holger Thor Nielsen in 1938 at the age of 16, when he Joined the DNSAP, (Danish National Socialist Worker’s Party).

 

Holger Thor Nielsen was born on 2 November 1921 in Odense on Fynen, the second largest island of Denmark. He was the second of three brothers. The family was ill- treated by the economic crises of the thirties, so at a young age, Holger Thor Nielsen lost his belief in the old democratic systems in Europe. He also realized that the emergence of communism in Eastern Europe was a threat for the whole culture of Europe, so he looked at the new Germany, Denmark’s mighty neighbour to the south, with hope and admiration.

 

Therefore, on 26 January 1938, at the age of 16, he joined the „Danmarks National-Socialistiske Arbejder”, or simply the DNSAP, which was the Danish National Socialist Party led by Dr. Frits Clausen. He received the Party Member No. PM 16.713.

 

The war came to Denmark on 9 April 1940, when Germany took control over Denmark and Invaded Norway. Although very nationalistic, the Thor Nielsen family greeted the Germans as friends who would protect them against English/Jewish influence. In June 1940, the oldest son, Vagn Thor Nielsen took off with the first bunch of 72 Danish volunteers and went to Klagenfurt, Austria to join the SS- Verfügungstruppe or the SS-VT, serving with 2nd Company/SS-Standarte „Nordland“, (Feldpost Nr. 18 149 C). This was not the case with Holger Thor Nielsen, who stayed at home in Odense and on 15 October 1940 joined the „Storm-Afdelingen“, or simply the SA, the Danish Stormtroopers of Frits Clausen’s DNSAP movement. He served with 1/IV/Fyens Fylking.

 

But things were boring at home in Odense. The war went on to new frontiers and everybody in the family talked about the older brother, who was now in Vienna with 7th Company/“Nordland“, (FP Nr. 19 272 D). The SS-VT was at this time officially renamed the Waffen-SS. On 10 March 1941, it became Holger Thor Nielsen’s turn to join up. The rules were different now, so he couldn’t join his brother in the Ostmark. He was instead sent to Sennheim in Alsace and ended up in the newly created SS-Standarte „Nordwest“, where he met fellow Germanic friends from Denmark.

 

ABOVE: Holger Thor Nielsen (right) with his friend Slozarich, together with two German Wehrmacht soldiers in Odense, April 1940. Slozarich also ended up as an SS-Unterscharführer.

 

Norway, Holland and Flanders. When the Standarte was disbanded, he was transferred to 1st Company/SS- Standarte „Der Führer“ at Graz-Wetzelsdorf, (Feldpost Nr. 15 807 B). Since this regiment was intended only for Reichsdeutsche, he ended up in 5th Company/SS-Regiment „Germania“, (Feldpost Nr. 30 629 B), which was also stationed in Graz-Wetzelsdorf.

 

In the summer of 1941, the three SS Regiments „Germania“, „Nordland“ and „Westland“ were combined at Heuberg in Württemberg to create a new SS Division, the „Wiking”. This was the first division of Germanic volunteers, who in the spring of 1941, (before „Barbarossa“—the assault on Russia), comprised about 10% of the manpower strength. When Germany launched Operation „Barbarossa“ on 22 June 1941 against the Soviet Union, the SS Division „Wiking“ was attached to Army Group „South“ and Holger Thor Nielsen with 5./“Germania“ soon experienced his first front engagement. Holger Thor Nielsen and his company continued to fight on during the hard winter campaign, and he was soon promoted to SS-Sturmann.

 

ABOVE: SS-Sturmann Holger Thor Nielsen (center) with two friends. All three of them would go to the Germanic SS Training Camp at Sennheim. Note the SS belt buckle he is wearing.

 

ABOVE: SS-Sturmann Holger Thor Nielsen with 5./”Germania”.

 

After the hard fighting at Kamenka, where 5./“Germania“ was badly mauled, Holger Thor Nielsen received his first decoration, the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, on 18 February 1942. As an indication of how he and his fellow Germanic brothers fought, their platoon leader, SS- Hauptscharfiihrer Heinz Hamel, became the first Unterführer (NCO) in the entire „Wiking“ Division to win the German Cross in Gold. Hämel received this award on 11 June 1942. For his participation in the winter battles, Holger Thor Nielsen was awarded the Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia 1941/1941 on 1 September 1942.

 

But on 5 October 1942, nis good fortune was over. When „Germania“ attacked Malgobek, he was badly wounded in the shoulder. On 8 October 1941 he wrote his older brother, who was now with the 2nd Company/SS Supply/Maintenance Detachment 5/“Wiking“, (Feldpost Nr. 47 269), a letter in which he stated that: ...I have just got my “Heim ins Reich” ticket... I am now on a train heading for Germany. My wound will take a long time to heal, but in Germany or maybe even at home, I can stand it.“ He received the Wound Badge in Black in a German hospital on 22 November 1942.

 

Holger Thor Nielsen ended up in a German hospital in Kolding, Denmark, where he learned that he had been awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class on 10 November 1942. He was released from here on 23 March 1943 with a note stating that he had to serve with an „Ersatz-Truppenteil“ (replacement unit), until 30 June 1943. So he was again sent to Graz. This time he joined the Feldausbildung (training) Battalion of the 5. SS-Pz. Gr. Div. „Wiking“. It was with this unit on 1 May 1943 that he was promoted to SS-Unterscharführer (Sgt.).

 

In the meantime, the newly created III. (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps was being assembled at Grafenwöhr in Bavaria. The idea was to put most of the Germanic Waffen- SS volunteers into this corps. When Holger Thor Nielsen was ready for active duty again, he was therefore transferred into the 7th Company of the SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. 24 „Danmark“, (Feldpost Nr. 37 826 D), of the new 11.SS-Pz.Gr.Division „Nordland“ at Grafenwöhr. It was into the regiment that most of his fellow countrymen from the „Wiking“ Division and the FREIKORPS DANMARK were grouped into a „national“ formation with many Danish officers.

 

But in the autumn of 1943, things were becoming ugly at home in Denmark. Supported by English propaganda, a massive hate campaign against the Germans and their Danish friends had arisen in Denmark. The father of Holger Thor Nielsen, Jens Chr. Thor Nielsen, who had joined the DNSAP on 29 August 1940, (PM 32.912), had his store destroyed by a mob in August 1943, not only because he had two sons fighting on the Eastern Front, but also because of his dose relationship with the DNSAP. He held the rank of „Distriktsleder“, (District-Leader), of the 167th District. He was a DNSAP candidate in the free elections of 1943 for the 2nd Constituency. As a result, even his third and youngest son was often attacked on his way to school.

 

Holger Thor Nielsen wanted to go home and find out who was behind the attacks on his family. In 1941 he had enlisted for two years duty, so now he wanted to go home and help the Germans in his own hometown. It took a lot of paperwork and of course his officers didn’t want him to go, as they couldn’t spare a single soldier. However, on 6 October 1943, he was released from active duty and transferred to the SS-Ergänzungstelle Kopenhagen, Denmark (an SS recruiting and replacement office). He immediately volunteered to help the SD (Sicherheitsdienst – SS Security Service) Commando stationed in Odense and he was gladly accepted with his old rank of SS- Unterscharführer.

 

In November 1943, all hell broke loose in Odense. A whole series of killings and assassinations started up, hitting all of the families who had thrown in their lot with the Germans. The first target was Jens Chr. Thor Nielsen. While sitting behind the desk in his store he was shot down on 3 November 1943 by two unknown civilians. Although badly wounded, he was able to call for help himself. He was immediately placed under German protection and brought to a German hospital.

 

ABOVE: Two freshly promoted SS-Unterscharführers at Graz-Wetzelsdorf. Holger Thor Nielsen (left) and Fritz Ihle. They were promoted on the same day. Fritz Ihle was a “Nordscheswiger”, or ‘Volksdeutsche’ ethnic German), from Denmark.

 

Holger Thor Nielsen didn’t have a long time to investigate the mean attack on his father. On the morning of 20 November 1943, he was walking to a bus stop when he was shot in the head by an unknown civilian passing him on a bicycle. He died on the spot. The German Police immediately started a large investigation to find the assassin, but without any luck.

 

SS-Unterscharführer Vagn Thor Nielsen was in Croatia with 11./SS-P2.Gr. Rgt.24 „Danmark“, (FP Nr. 37 826 A), when he heard of these two attacks on his relatives. He took on a home leave in order to participate in the funeral of his brother. Back in Denmark, he learned that his father would recover from his wounds, but not without being marked by them for the rest of his life.

 

ABOVE LEFT: SS-Unterscharführer Holger Thor Nielsen (right) with a German friend at Graz-Wetzelsdorf. ABOVE RIGHT: SS-Unterscharführer Holger Thor Nielsen with the Regiment “Danmark” at Grafenwöhr in the summer of 1943.

 

„National-Socialisten“, the official organ of the DNSAP, wrote an obituary about Holger Thor Nielsen. Part of it went as follows:

 

„A young and brave companion of the party is gone. He fell against our number one enemy: Communism! He was cowardly attacked from behind. SS-Unterscharführer Holger Thor Nielsen was only about 20 years old when he died...Early in his youth, Holger Thor Nielsen became a member of the DNSAP, and he was an SA-Man (Stromtrooper) when he joined the SS to fight the communists. He quickly demonstrated that he was made of the right National-Socialist soldier stuff...For his participation on the Eastern Front he was awarded the Iron Cross, among other decorations. The promotion to Unterscharführer, despite his young age, showed that he was an excellent soldier...Our condolences go to his parents, the father still being badly wounded through a similar attack, and the two brothers, one with the SS at the front in the east...Holger Thor Nielsen has now gone to von Schalburg’s Brigade. In spirit, he marches with us for the new Europe, a free Denmark and the final victory over communism. Honoured be his memory!“.

 

In the spring of 1944, Vagn Thor Nielsen was serving as a Schirrmeister (Master Mechanic), with ll./“Danmark“ at the Narva Front in the celebrated „battle of the European SS“. Here his battalion commander was SS-Hauptsturmführer and bearer of the Knighfs Cross, Heinz Hämel. This was the same Hämel who had commanded Holger Thor Nielsen’s platoon in 5./“Germania“. When Vagn Thor Nielsen told Hämel about the fate of his former SS-Sturmann from the campaign of 1941/1942, Hämel’s reply was: „I hope you blew up half the city of Odensel“.

 

* * * * *

Thursday 3 October 2024

Der verzauberte Tag (1944)


The Enchanted Day

 

Directed by: Peter Pewas

Written by: Franz Nabl (novel); Peter Pewas and Renate Uhl

Produced by: Viktor von Struwe

Cinematography: Georg Krause

Edited by: Ira Oberberg

Music by: Wolfgang Zeller

Production company: Terra Film

Distributed by: Deutsche Filmvertriebs

Release dates: 6 July 1944 / 17 May 1951 (general release)

Running time: 76 minutes

Country: Germany

Language: German

 

Starring:

 

Winnie Markus: Christine Schweiger

Hans Stüwe: Professor Albrecht Götz

Ernst Waldow: Rudolf Krummholz

Eva Maria Meineke: Anni

Hans Brausewetter: Wasner

Carola Toelle: Mrs. Schweiger

Karl Etlinger: Geschwander

Curt Ackermann: Mr. Maximilian

Kate Kühl: Mrs. Pospischil

Anneliese Würtz: Mrs. Hirblinger

Karl Meixner: Criminal Investigator

Erich Fiedler: Dr. Steinacker

Herbert Gernot: ophthalmologist

Karl Troxbömker: Servant

Martha von Konssatzki: the flower lady

 

Plot

 

The Enchanted Day (German: Der verzauberte Tag) is a 1944 German romantic drama film directed by Peter Pewas and starring Winnie Markus, Hans Stüwe and Ernst Waldow. It explores the romantic ambitions of two women who work at a kiosk in a railway station.

 

The film was made at the Babelsberg Studios by Terra Film one of Germany’s four dominant production companies. The film’s sets were designed by Erich Grave.

 

Monday 30 September 2024

Artworks by Georg Sluyterman von Langeweyde – Part I

Adolf Hitler

 

„Der Gott, der Eisen...”

„God who made Steel grow did not want any Slaves“ (Ernst Moritz Arndt)

 

Hitlerjunge

Drummer of the Hitler Youth

 

Im Kohlenrevier

In the coal-mining District

 

„Der dem Tode...“

„The only free man is the Soldier who can look Death in the Face“

 

„Im Felde, da ist der Mann...“

„It is on the Field of Battle that a Man shows his Worth“

 

„Der Tod für’s Vaterland...“

„Death for one’s fatherland deserves eternal veneration“

 

Illustration für das Buch von Adriaan M. De Jong „Heller Klang aus dunkler Flöte“

Illustration for Adriaan M. Dejong’s Book „Heller Klang aus dunkler Flöte“

 

„Besitz stirbt...“

„Goods pass away, Children pass away, and you too shall pass away. But there is one Thing that lives forever: the Glory of the Exploits of the Dead“ (Edda)

 

„Sieg oder Unsieg...“

„Victory or Defeat are in the Hands of God. Of Honour we alone are Masters and Lords“