Monday, 21 September 2026

Adolf Hitler – Final Speech at the Party Congress, 14 September 1936

 

Nuremberg, September 14, 1936

 

Thanks to the National Socialist idea and through the work of the National Socialist leadership, a new Germany has arisen! One can love it or one can hate it, but no one will change it, no one can do away with it!

 

The first and most difficult of our appointed political tasks can be said to be solved today. With the introduction of the two-year period service, the German Reich has once again been liberated, in scarcely four years of National Socialist leadership of state, from the worst consequences of that unscrupulous mutiny that attempted to defame us not only militarily, but first and foremost morally! It may be that the peoples who were not visited by a misfortune comparable to that of Germany have no concept of the emphasis we place on settling this question above all.

 

We did not defend Germany against Bolshevism back then because we were intending to do anything like conserve a bourgeois world or go so far as to freshen it up. Had Communism really intended nothing more than a certain purification by eliminating isolated rotten elements from among the ranks of our so-called ‘upper ten thousand’ or our equally worthless Philistines, one could have sat back quietly and looked on for a while.

 

The aim of Bolshevism is not, however, to liberate peoples from what is sick, but the opposite: to exterminate what is healthy, what is healthiest of all, in fact, and to place in its stead the most degenerated of all.

 

I cannot ally myself with a Weltanschauung which, as its initial action upon taking power, would invariably choose not to first liberate the working Volk, but to liberate instead the asocial scum of the earth concentrated in the penitentiaries, and then to let them loose like animals upon their frightened and stunned fellow beings. [-] We also reject this doctrine as a consequence of the more humane approach we have to our fellow men. The remarks of our speakers at this Party Congress and the events in Spain have once again provided to the world and to our German Volksgenossen an insight into atrocities of Bolshevist combat methods and government maxims. The German Volk is too good and too decent for such hideous monstrosities.

 

I have only been able to score these successes because, first of all, I endeavored to see things as they are and not as one would like to have them.

 

And secondly, because I have never allowed weaklings to talk me out of or lead me away from an opinion I had once formed; and thirdly, because I have always resolved under all circumstances to respond to a necessity once recognized.

 

Today, now that Fate has bestowed such great success upon me, I will not abandon my principles.

 

May the peoples living around us comprehend that, if they respect German independence, freedom and honor, they will nowhere find a more sincere friend than the National Socialist Third Reich. May, however, that very Bolshevism of which we learned only a few months ago that it intends to arm its forces in order to open the door to revolution among other peoples with force, if necessary; may this Bolshevism know that the new German Army stands guard at the German door.

 

The brutal mass slaughter of nationalist officers, igniting the gasoline drenched wives of nationalist officers, the slaughter of the children and babies of nationalist parents, for example in Spain, should be a warning to all like-thinking powers in other countries to shrink from any act of resistance in a similar situation.

 

Should these methods achieve their aim and the modern Girondins be replaced by Jacobins and Kerensky’s People’s Front by Bolshevists, Europe will perish in a sea of blood and mourning. European culture which-fertilized in prehistoric antiquity-will soon celebrate 2,500 years of history, will yield to the cruelest barbarity of all time.

 

No one will harbor a single doubt that National Socialism will defend itself everywhere and under any circumstances against the attacks of Bolshevism, and will conquer and destroy it. [-] We are marching in a rapid step toward turbulent times. The tempo requires men of determined toughness, and not weakly Philistines. It will not judge people according to the superficial manners of society, but according to the quality and toughness of their character in times of heavy burdens.

 

Now more than before, it is the Party’s task to ensure that hard views are established in our Volk and that above all a relentless war be declared on every trace of that pitiful cleverness Clausewitz castigated as the worst symptom of cowardice. We are approaching great historic periods; in courses of time such as these, pure cleverness has never triumphed, but invariably brave courage. Above all, the Party must embody the optimism we National Socialists know so well.

 

Every fault can be overcome, and its manifestations are easier to eliminate than pessimism and its consequences.

 

Let him beware who has no faith. He is committing a sin against the meaning of life as a whole. He is of no use for anything, and his existence will be nothing but a burden to his Volk.

 

In the course of my political struggle-and unfortunately I must stress this again-it was particularly in bourgeois circles that I encountered these sorry pessimists who, in their pitiful state, are incapable of any faith whatsoever and hence could not be used for any redeeming action. And even today I often meet them.

 

I have but one question I must confront them with: What would have happened to Germany had an unknown soldier not had the faith in 1919 that he would one day be able to rescue the German nation from its demise by steadfastness and dedication, by bravery and a willingness to sacrifice? What did Germany rescue after all? Was it the pessimism of these petty carpers, these pitiful doubters, these invariable despondent defeatists? Or was it not the unshakeable confidence that the eternal qualities of our Volk would win out against the inferior and the burdensome? No! It was the miracle of faith that rescued Germany.

 

Today, after all these historically unique successes, it is more than ever the duty of the Party to recall this National Socialist profession of faith and to carry it once more at its force as the holy symbol of our fight and our certain victory.

 

This is why the Party too must penetrate again and again to the heart of the Volk at large which is the best and the strongest supporter of the faith we have.

 

This Volk alone has in itself the courage and the bravery and the confidence Nature provides to primitive beings for their own self-preservation. Had commanders always been as courageous as grenadiers must be at all times, many battles would not have been lost. And if politicians are as strong of faith as the broad masses of a Volk are true, then they are invincible as leaders of their peoples.

Formation of the Volunteer Legion „Wallonie“

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine – Volume X, Number 6, Whole Number 62,

Fall 1996

  

ABOVE: The Legion „Wallonie“ transport train arrives at the Regenwurm Training Camp from Brussels in August 1941. The slogan on the side reads: „Stalin We're Coming!“.

 

 

In early August 1941, the first several hundred volunteers of the Volunteer Legion „Wallonie“ left Belgium for the Regenwurm Training Camp near Meseritz, Germany after receiving a big, festive send-off in their homeland. The Walloon volunteers were to be formed into an infantry battalion. Each company had a German training officer along with some German NCO's and translators assigned to it, otherwise the command personnel were all Belgians.

 

Prominent among the first group of recruits was Leon Degrelle, the leader of the Belgian Rexist Pary and one of the most important political figures in all of Europe. He had been offered an automatic officer's position but turned it down so he could undergo basic training and serve first as an enlisted man. Degrelle was trained as a machine-gunner and his progress and conduct was exemplorary. He continually refused any „special treatment“ due to his celebrity status.

 

The Legion training program was hard but conducted at a rapid pace. The Walloon volunteers adapted readily and with enthusiasm to the tough training regimen and within two months the battalion was a reality. On 17 October 1941, the training came to and end and the Legion„Wallonie“ was designated the independent Infantry Bataillon 373. A final inspection parade was held for the Legion at Regenswurm before General of the Cavalry Frhr. von Daiwigk zu Lichtenfels. Immediately afterwards the Legion began its journey to the Eastern Front where it would serve with the German Army and Waffen-SS as a battalion, brigade and finally as a division until the bitter end.

 

ABOVE: Members of the Legion at Regenwurm. On the far left is Leon Degreiie as an ordinary private. BELOW: The first Legion CO, Hauptmann (CpL) Georges Jacobs takes the oath of allegiance on the sword of GeneraI of the Cavalry Frhr. vom Daiwigk zu Lichtenfels. Leutnant Vermeire, on the right, translates.

 

 

ABOVE: Gen. von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels and Hauptmann Jacobs inspecting the drawn-up Legion „Wallonie“ at Regenwurm on 17 October 1941. BELOW: The Legion color party marching past Gen. von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels and Hauptmann Jacobs on 17 October.

 

 

Legion „Wallonie“ unit commanders 1941-1943

 

CO: Jacobs, Pauly, Tchekhoff, Lippert. Co.: Van Damme, Lisein, Mathieu, Dum 2nd Co.; Heyvaert, Daulne, Vermeire, Closset. Co.: Tchekhoff, Thys, Ruelle, Vermeire. 4th Co.: Dupre, Buydts, Daulne, Bosquion, Mirgain.

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Feldzug in Polen (1939)


The Campaign in Poland

 

Feldzug in Polen (The Campaign in Poland) is a 69-minute National Socialist propaganda film released in 1940 depicting the 1939 invasion of Poland and directed by Fritz Hippler. Exposing the Poles as aggressors and ethnic Germans living in Poland as an oppressed minority, the film alleges that the Poles employed unheroic tactics in the war and characterizes as senseless the defence of a besieged Warsaw. The film was often screened by German minorities overseas to clarify the German point of view.

 

French involvement was de-emphasized, in order to present Great Britain, in its attempt to encircle Germany, as the villain, to justify the German-Soviet pact. Polish provocations finally resulted in the blitzkrieg, led by Hitler; Poles were sometimes depicted as brave, to emphasize the German triumph.

 

Production

 

The film was directed by Fritz Hippler and the music was composed by Herbert Windt. Footage shot by Gustav Lantschner and Sepp Allgeier, who were working for Leni Riefenstahl’s Special Film Troop, was used in the film. In addition, Hippler made use of footage from the newsreels Ufa Ton-Woche 471/38/1939 and Ufa Ton-Woche 472/1939.

 

It was first shown to a select audience on 8 October 1939, but the military’s leadership was concerned that it did not completely reflect the army’s role in the invasion. A second version of the film was made and Joseph Goebbels made changes to the script. Adolf Hitler watched this version on 11 December, and asked for more edits. One of Hitler’s demands, as reported by Alwin-Broder Albrecht, was to have the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia coloured the same as the rest of Germany rather than having its own colour. The first version of the film only covered up to 20 September, and the second version covered up to 5 October.

 

Release

 

Its premiere was held in the Berlin Ufa-Palast um Zoo, usually used by Goebbels to present important films. It received massive media support and was officially described as „valuable from a political viewpoint,“ „artistically valuable,“ „educational for the nation,“ and „a film of instruction. It was theatrically released in February 1940.

 

Saturday, 22 August 2026

Die Deutsche Wochenschau – Newsreel No. 657, 7 April 1943


1. Germany.

 

A short newsreel entitled ‘The Reichsmarschall’s Division’.

 

Soldiers from the division march through the gates of the barracks in the Reinickedorf district of Berlin.

 

The gate bears the inscription: ‘General Hermann Göring’s Division’.

 

Soldiers and officers.

 

A view of the barracks and officers’ quarters.

 

A close-up of an armband bearing the division’s name.

 

– Hermann Göring inspects the division, walking past the ranks of soldiers.

 

Soldiers standing by self-propelled guns and armoured vehicles.

 

Artillerymen demonstrate the operation of an anti-tank gun.

 

Boarding the vehicles.

 

Division manoeuvres at the training ground.

 

Soldiers board half-track vehicles equipped with light anti-aircraft guns.

 

Motorcyclists and self-propelled guns travel along the road.

 

Soldiers cross the river in a boat.

 

They fire machine guns, mortars and flamethrowers.

 

Tanks are firing.

 

Explosions in the countryside.

 

A tank crewman in a tank.

 

A tank crewman addresses German youths on screen, urging them to enlist in their division.

2. General Government, Breslau.

 

The funeral in his homeland of Hans Adolf von Moltke, a prominent figure in foreign policy and German Ambassador to Madrid.

 

The coffin, draped with a flag bearing the swastika.

 

A wreath from the Spanish Ambassador and from Caudillo Franco.

 

German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop at the funeral; in the background, the Gauleiter of Lower Silesia, Karl Hanke.

 

Laying of a wreath on behalf of the Führer.

 

3. Germany.

 

Berlin.

 

A memorial service for one of the leading figures in the German sports movement, the first Reich Sports Führer Hans von Tschammer und Osten (25 March 1943), in the Mosaic Hall of the Reich Chancellery.

 

Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels delivers a speech.

 

A wreath is laid on behalf of the Ministry of Propaganda.

 

The coffin with wreaths, including one from the Finnish Olympic Committee, representatives from Hungary and Denmark, and one from Göring.

 

In the hall, amongst the public, are Reichsleiter Wilhelm Frick and Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg.

 

A funeral procession through the streets of Berlin.

 

The coffin on a gun carriage at the Brandenburg Gate.

 

4. France.

 

The arrival of the German submarine U-177 at its home port after completing a combat mission.

 

Sailors on the shore watch the approaching submarine.

 

The submarine’s commander, recipient of the Knight’s Cross, Lieutenant Commander Gerhard Bilig.

 

Fellow submariners greet their comrades-in-arms.

 

Loading torpedoes, ammunition and provisions onto the submarine; refuelling.

 

A submarine on a new patrol in the Atlantic.

 

An observer.

 

A newsreader reporting on the successes of the German submarine fleet.

 

5. Germany.

 

Adolf Hitler’s residence.

 

The Führer receives Italian General Italo Gariboldi, commander of the Italian forces on the Eastern Front.

 

The General is presented with a German decoration – the Knight’s Cross.

 

6. The Eastern Front.

 

The Lake Ladoga area.

 

German soldiers travelling on a cart.

 

In the forest.

 

German Lieutenant-General Johann Zinnhuber, commander of the 28th Jäger Division, inspects an artillery position.

 

Lieutenant-General Johann Zinnhuber talks to soldiers and officers.

 

Wire entanglements being erected on the banks of the Neva.

 

The shelling of Soviet positions begins.

 

A firefight between Soviet artillery and German tanks.

 

Soldiers run for cover.

 

A fire is being extinguished in a German dugout.

 

Soviet attempts to break through the German line between Lake Ladoga and Lake Ilmen are repelled.

 

German artillery, a machine gun and light guns are firing.

 

Soldiers are being awarded the Iron Cross.

 

Grenadiers turn their camouflage jackets inside out, from the light side to the dark side.

 

Tanks and infantry advance to the front-line positions.

 

German infantrymen follow a tank.

 

A tank fires on a Soviet bunker.

 

The Germans are on the attack.

 

A wounded man is being carried away.

 

A tank and infantrymen advance.

 

A destroyed Soviet bunker, the bodies of Soviet soldiers, and destroyed military equipment.

 

A Soviet soldier is spotted in cover.

 

Prisoners of war.

 

A moment of calm.

 

German soldiers are eating and smoking.

 

The infantry continue their advance.

 

A firefight in the woods.

 

A Soviet soldier surrenders.

 

A German fires a machine gun from cover.

 

Soldiers with submachine guns.

 

German artillery shells Soviet positions.

 

A Soviet air raid on a German battery; bombs exploding.

 

German anti-aircraft gunners fire at Soviet aircraft.

 

A burning Soviet aircraft crashes to the ground.

 

German aircraft at the airfield. ‘Junkers’ take to the air.

 

A scene from an aerial battle.

 

German artillery fires on Soviet positions.