Die Deutsche Wochenschau – Newsreel No. 715 – 17 May 1944

1. Germany.

Nurses have practice.

– Sisters with children.

– In the classroom anatomy laboratory microscope.

– Classes in massage.

– Experienced sisters help new.

– Surgical nurses.

– Political classes.

– Sisters in practical work.

– Sisters with children and wounded soldiers.

– The sisters have a rest, play sports.

2. Germany.

– Zoo, various animals.

– Deer, monkeys, elephants, jaguars, polar bears in the pool, lion and lioness, flamingos in the pond.

– Visitors to the zoo with the kids.

3. Germany.

– Post office, is sorting letters.

– Women at work.

– New pointer offices and postal codes.

4. Strikes in the United States and England.

– Police crackdown on demonstrators, fights.

– Material for contrast: social achievements in Germany in 1944.

– Rest house for workers in the mountains.

– Working on vacation, they dine, play cards, billiards.

– For workers plays a symphony orchestra.

5. Germany.

– Teachings on shooting for reservists held leadership SA (Stormtroopers) in Germany.

– General Shechtman bypass operation.

– Shechtman is involved in the shooting.

– Shoot teenagers and the elderly at targets.

6. Germany.

– Population Kassel welcomes his countryman, Knight Knight’s Cross, General von Sharfitsa detachment „Hitlerjugend“ plays drums and mountain.

– General on the street, he was presented with flowers.

– RAD formation of soldiers with shovels.

– Woman gives general memorable gift: the layout tools.

– The speech of General.

7. France.

– Anti-Bolshevik French youth rally before sending them to the Eastern Front.

– Speech by Josef Darlan.

8. Western Front.

– Meeting at the headquarters of the Chief of Army Group „West“ General Rundstedt, it is next to Field Marshal Rommel, there are also Sperrle and Keitel.

– Rundstedt out to the car, ‘a speech before the officers.

– Heavy coastal battery Atlantic Wall „Skagerrak“.

– Tank in the shelter.

– To carry the bunker on the platform of the shells.

– Underground bunkers of the Western Front.

– The beeping sound gunners ran to the guns.

– Prepare to fire guns.

– Gunner at work.

– Exploding shells.

9. Eastern Front, the area of the Crimea.

– The retreat of German and Romanian troops, Gun crews on the shore.

– In the city are soldiers, riding armoured personnel carriers, trucks.

– Generals at the observation post.

– Are refugees from the nodes.

– Observers on the shore.

– The officer on the phone receives a message about the raid.

– Reflection attacks Soviet aircraft.

– Shoot the German anti-aircraft guns.

– Explosions in the harbour.

– Falls stricken plane, the pilot jumps with a parachute.

– Explosions and fires in Sevastopol during the retreat of the Germans.

– Effects of explosions on the road, broken carts, wagons, dead horses.

– Artillery hit the city, „they are being watched soldiers in the trenches.

– View of the river from Sevastopol.

– Smoke and fire, bullets leave traces on the water.

– German transports leave the coast of the Crimea.

– Bombing transports Soviet aircraft.

– Anti-aircraft fire from Soviet bombers.

– Convey of the wounded.

10. Eastern Front, Belarus.

– District of Kirovohrad-Nikopol.

– German Panzer Division „Grossdeutchland“ on the offensive.

– General Manteuffel, commander of the division, examines the position of the binoculars.

– Division in combat.

– Breakthrough Soviet lines.

– Defectors front of the camera.

– Radio operator near the radio.

– Officers are looking map of the area.

– General Manteuffel at the forefront.

– The soldiers are on marshland.

– German tanks and infantry in battle.

– General rides on the tank.

– Soviet prisoners of war, a captive woman in overcoat, are killed by the soldiers.

– Persons of German soldiers: beautiful Aryan types in contrast with the Asians.

Adolf Hitler - Germany and the Finnish Question - 07.12.1939

 

(Article published in Völkischer Beobachter)

Berlin, December 7, 1939

In the context of the crisis between Sovet-Russia and Finland, which has now evolved into an open conflict, numerous parties, above all the kitchen of lies (Lugenkuche) of British and French official and editorial cabinets, have attempted to implicate Germany in the events to the North. They maintain that Germany is violating its apparently self-evident obligation to help Finland, a country to which it is tied by a multitude of bonds. In the face of such malicious as well as foolish and-politically speaking-childish insinuations, it appears necessary to subject to critical scrutiny the relations between Germany and the Northern countries during the past twenty years.

Beyond all doubt, the Nordic peoples have always occupied a special place in the hearts of Germans for historical and sentimental reasons. This love, however, has become increasingly one-sided in the course of the past twenty years. The German Reich in its position of power has always been a natural friend of Nordic interests. It has remained true to this principle throughout its entire history. Countless instances have evidenced this favorable predisposition to the small Nordic States. And as, at the end of the World War, the German Reich was left in a position of impotence due to the broken promises of the Allies which left it the defenseless and helpless prey of the unjust and excessive demands of the so-called victorious powers, Berlin counted less on the active assistance of the Nordic countries (they were not in a position to render it), but, at the very least, on their sympathy and moral support for the unfortunate German Volk.

The opposite, however, occurred. In these years so bitter for Germany, not one of these countries has thrown its weight on the scale to balance the dreadful injustice done to the German Volk.

Any reasonable person must have known at the time that, sooner or later, this injustice would result in retaliation. It was clear that this would cause great upheaval in the world, if it was not possible to obtain a timely revision.

However, instead of moving in this direction, the Nordic states were from the beginning the most loyal adherents and defenders of the Geneva League of Nations, whose entire structure aimed at nothing but the eternal repression of Germany.

The Nordic states remained loyal to the League of Nations even at a time when its true role as the executor of Versailles and the preserver of the status quo must have been clear to even the most naive of political minds. In vain Germany awaited a sign of sympathy, some form of tangible moral support.

Either one was too uninterested at the time or too involved in the endless, dry and exhausting ideological discussions within the framework of the debating club of Geneva. The Nordic states increasingly got on the political track of England.

And as National Socialism rose to power in Germany and the German Volk, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, began to shake off its shackles, the majority of the press in the North did not rejoice and welcome this event, but rather subjected to savage criticism nearly every step made toward German independence and every deed dedicated to an elimination of the Treaty of Versailles. In the name of humanity, in the name of liberalism and democracy, Germany was brought into disrepute, reviled, and boycotted economically.

Barely a day passed without one move or another in German politics being impudently and insultingly criticized by countless papers in the Nordic states.

Every statement by the Third Reich was interpreted to its detriment, which was accompanied in the papers by truly incomprehensible attacks. This systematic rejection of everything emanating from the Third Reich reached so far into the leading circles that the German side was often forced to resort to official channels in order to counter this unbearable state of affairs. The consequences of this systematic campaign against Germany in the Nordic states crystallized when, in the course of this year, Germany declared its willingness to enter into a series of non-aggression pacts with them. While pacts with Denmark and the Baltic States were concluded, Sweden, Norway, and Finland showed no interest.

Sweden and Norway declared their lack of interest as a matter of principle. Finland, however, declined conclusion of a non-aggression pact with the German Reich, although Germany would not have been the first country with which Finland had entered into such a pact. While, at the time, this Finnish stand was incomprehensible to Germany’s leading political circles, the experiences since then have taught us that the notion is assuredly not mistaken that English warmongers largely influenced the Finnish decision. This speculation has been reinforced by the fact that England, through the offices of other Scandinavian politicians, has established a web of vibrant ties to Helsinki.

These countries thus revealed that, in spite of repeated assurances of neutrality, they actually placed less stock in a determined and symmetrical preservation of peace in relation to all sides, than in the hope for the political predominance of the one side with which they sympathize so greatly, though assuredly not for reasons of neutrality.

In this context, it was characteristic of this peculiar understanding of neutrality by the Nordic states that it was the Scandinavia countries which accorded the Valencia Government recognition and moral support not only until the end, but up to a point when this government had already ceased to exist. They continued to withhold long-overdue recognition from Franco even at a time when any further delay could only be interpreted as unilateral partisanship against Franco, Italy, and Germany.

And since the outbreak of the war with the Western Powers, the Nordic countries have not changed their stance. Rather Germany, which has no differences with them and which has always stood up for their interests in the course of its history, had to experience once more that it was precisely the states of the North whose press and actions demonstrated anything but a benign comportment toward German concerns. Every country is entitled to distribute its sympathies as it sees fit.

Then, however, this country should not complain that it is not receiving its due in terms of sympathy-sympathy which others have been waiting for years to receive from it.

This present war has been forced on the German Volk by the British warmongers who, last but not least, have received the support of Scandinavian journalists and politicians. It is both naive and sentimental to expect the German Volk to push aside its struggle for its future in order to immediately rush to the side of all the small states which previously could not get enough of disparaging and denigrating Germany. For years, the Reich has met with cool indifference, with haughty disapproval, and with often ill-concealed hostility. “Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es auch wieder hinaus.” (As one shouts into the forest, so it echoes back.) The German Reich is well aware of the obligations gratitude and loyalty entail. Still, its friendship is not to be found lying about in the streets where, if he feels like it, anyone can come back to pick it up again once he has refused it.

The German Reich is loyal to those who are loyal to it. The German Reich stands by those who stand by it. The German Reich benefits those who benefit it. The German Volk has nothing against the Finnish people. On the contrary, the German Volk harbors no animosity against the peoples of the North. The hope remains that, one day, the masters of all destinies of our Northern neighbors will reflect thereupon an ask themselves whether it was truly wise to lend an ear, in the past years, to the whispering of the English warmongers and apostles of the League of Nations, or whether it would not have been better to lend visible expression to their peoples’ natural interest in friendship with Germany.

My Story as a Norwegian Volunteer

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine – Volume 6, Number 1, Whole Number 31,

July-September 1983

I enlisted in the Waffen-SS as a volunteer in August 1942, and I was then 19 years old. I undertook my infantry training in Mitau/Estonia and I became the #1 gunner on a light machine gun. In February 1943, 3o of us were sent to Hilverum/Holland to be trained as Panzerjäger (anti-tank troops). I was then made the #1 gunner on a 7.5 cm anti-tank cannon.

Afterwards I spent some time in Grafenwoehr and Graz as an assistant trainer and also went into a NCO training course. Then the SS Panzergrenadier Rgt. 23 „Norge” (Norwegian) was established and it was deployed for combat duty in Croatia. In November 1943 we left Croatia for Leningrad. That was a wholly frightful time filled with filth, cold and shelling. But nonetheless, that life had its good and bad sides both when not viewed from too dark a perspective. At the end of January 1944 my enlistment contract expired. I spent 14 days at home, then once again voluntarily signed up, this time for the duration of the war.

Next I went on a journey to Finland. After a short stopover in Oulu, I arrived in Karelia. After so long a time, it is not so simple to remember all of the names and places. In the spring we were stationed on the island of Pundum. From there we sent out scouting parties in all directions, and had for the most part, only limited losses. We found a number of remnants leftover from the „Winter War” between Finland and Russia, including a lost field kitchen that Russian soldiers had abandoned in the woods after the 4 or 6 horses that had pulled it had frozen to death. During this time our unit (SS-Skijäger Btl. „Norge” — attached to the 6th SS Mtn. Div. „Nord”) had Norwegian company commanders and troop leaders.

I volunteered for a mission to sabotage the railroad lines between Leningrad and Murmansk, although for some reason or another nothing came of this. During this time I attempted to gain admittance to a (officer’s) training course at Bad Toelz, but the [military] situation was so difficult that it was hard to get free for this. The Finns capitulated on 4 September 1944, and we had to promptly retreat from Finland. It was the German procedure not to leave anything behind, not even the rubbish!

Ostuf. Gust Jonassen, CO SS-Ski Btl. „Norge.”

Legion „Norwegen” armshield and „Frontfighter’s” Badge.

 Norwegian Volunteer Medals (never implemented).

I don’t know how far the bearest road was, but we marched for many days until we reached it. We went from lake to lake, which we crossed in our boats which we had to carry with us. It took 8-10 men to carry the boat, and 4 men to carry the motor.

Understandably, I remember one episode better than the others. After 2 or 3 days our substitute troop leader lost his map.

Norwegian Waffen-SS recruiting posters.

It was dark, but I remembered seeing something white along the way, so 1 volunteered to go back and find the map. As we began our search, we had just had a 7 hour march behind us, carrying machine guns, radio equipment and personal packs on our backs. After we found the map, we had another half-hour march still to make, then we heard Russian soldiers nearby. They were also not on the right course. After that we had the Russians close behind us until we reached Rovaniemi.

We often had to build temporary plank bridges ahead of us to accommodate the vehicles. Since there was only one car per company, and they had to be transported in sections, we all had to go by foot. Despite the difficulties, troop morale was good because we knew we were marching towards Norway. At last we reached the well-known bridge over the Kemijoki.

Legion „Norwegen“ collar patch.

The stay in Rovaniemi was also unforgettable. The whole town was enveloped in flames and we were being shot at by the Finns. In this situation things got somewhat confused. My squad had to go back over the bridge to secure a bridgehead. After an hour we received orders to evacuate our positions and then the bridge would be destroyed. But once back over the bridge we received counter-orders: return back to your positions and hold them until the bridge is destroyed. Then we could cross over the river on our own (using another, minor bridge).

Norwegian volunteers of the Waffen-SS with a Norwegian girl in National costume on 10 January 1942.

As with our first crossing over the bridge, my number 2 gunner and I first stopped at a field kitchen and filled two small bowls with pudding and sauce. Then we went back over the bridge. This was no simple matter since the bridge was covered with mines, shells and bombs all linked to a network of electrical wires strewn all over, so we had to wait until we had crossed over until we could eat our pudding. At 0300 hours the bridge was blown into the air only about 50 meters away from us.

After spending a few days in a school [house], the march continued. The first night we had scattered losses, although later on we lost hardly any men. We covered the first stretch of 60 km from Rovaniemi in hard rain. I had only felt boots so naturally was very uncomfortable. I got a pair of leather boots as soon after that as I could.

I must mention an episode in northern Finland. We spent 2 or 3 days on the Arctic Sea road and near to us was a field bakery. We had not been getting very much in the way of meals and the odour coming from the bakery was irresistible. I then gave myself the mission of liberating some bread. I lay in wait behind the storage tent and when the bakery boys came by carrying the bread on a long plank I sprang up and managed to hook my leg in at the right moment. That turned out to be quite a good bread feast!

We were still involved in maintaining the rearward security and continued to do so until we reached the Swedish frontier where the borders of three countries came together. From here we went to Narvik (Norway) in trucks provided by the Todt Organization [military construction service]. The march continued to Mosjoen. In the mountain passes we went through snowdrifts that were taller than us. From Mosjoen we went by ship to Drondheim and then to Mysen (south of Oslo) by rail. I then tried to go to Toelz for officer’s training but the end of the war intervened.

As thanks for my 2 ½ years of front service against the Bolsheviks, I was rewarded with 3 ½ years at forced labour.

The Norwegian Volunteer, Kaare S.

Die Frau meiner Träume (1944)

(The Woman of My Dreams)

Directed by: Georg Jacoby

Produced by: UFA, Herstellungsgruppe Georg Jacoby

Written by: Johann von Vaszary,

Georg Jacoby

Music by: Franz Grothe

Cinematography: Konstantin Tschet

Edited by: Erich Kobler

Release dates: 1944

Running time: 99 minutes

Country: German Reich

Language: German

Starring:

Marika Rökk: Revue Star Julia Köster

Wolfgang Lukschy: Chief engineer Peter Groll

Walter Müller: Engineer Erwin Forster

Georg Alexander: Impresario

Grethe Weiser: Bridesmaid Luise

Inge Drexel: Pauper Resi

Valentin Froman: Julia's dance partner

Willy Schulte-Vogelheim: Julia's dance partner

Egon Vogel: Reporter

Erna Krüger: Usher in Revue Theatre

Karin Lüsebrink: Cashier of the Revue Theatre

Lotte Spira: Canteen landlady

Vera Witt: Julia's dresser Mariechen

Erwin Fichtner: Lodge guest with monocle

Julius Brandt: Traveled in sleeping compartment

Karl Etlinger: Headwaiter in the station restaurant

Karl Hannemann: Porters at the station

Victor Janson: Local guest

Fritz Lafontaine: Theater stage manager

Gustav Püttjer: Blaster at Groll

Connie Hansen: Usherette

Hans Stiebner: Santander train

Jakob Tiedtke: Old Man at the box office

Herbert Weißbach: Sleeper inspector

Ewald Wenck: Stage porter

Plot:

George Jacoby's musical comedy was tailor made for the UfA diva Marika Rokk.  As a musical revue star, Julia Koster flees to the mountains in a train to finally escape the hustle and bustle of the theatrical world.  Somehow, she ends up alone in the wilderness with nothing more than a fur coat and is saved by the engineers Erwing Forster and Peter Groll.  Unaware of Julia's identity, Groll falls in love with her.  For her part, Julia is enjoying the simple life in the mountain settlement and has discovered she can be quite the housewife, when she wants to be…