September 9 - September 16, 1942.
Storybook:
Fritz Hartnagel confronts the issue of alcoholism among German soldiers on the Russian front. Lieutenants from a neighboring unit awaken him at 4 a.m. on September 9, demanding he hand over his store of alcohol.
He’s also tasked with administering officer’s candidacy exams, expected by German brass to read body language along with taking down response to oral questions. Although the overall exercise makes it hard for Fritz to concentrate, he enjoys asking the question, “What do you say to the sentence, A person becomes better when he is educated?” Most candidates answer affirmatively, assuming that is the response he wants to hear. He tells Sophie he wonders what they would think if they knew he thought the correct reply is negative.
Officers from another encampment visit on the night that Fritz has arranged to show a film - open air! - to his men. After the film, these officers talk late into the night, drinking wine and discussing politics. Fritz notes that unlike his C.O., these officers are open to debate on touchy subjects. They do not make him feel like his world views are out of the question. Still, he has a hard time defending his viewpoint… alone.
Fritz is ordered to go to Stalingrad to procure building materials, so his men can build a permanent structure to winter at their current position. Although he has heard about the destruction in that city, he is not prepared for the devastation he sees. Further, they are told that to obtain building materials, they must demolish any structures left standing. Fritz is troubled by this order, but realizes if he does not do so, his men will have no shelter.
On the way back to his encampment, Fritz picks up three refugees fleeing Stalingrad. He is overwhelmed by the “river” of refugees. They have nothing to eat, nowhere to go.
Higher-ups confirm one more time that yes, Fritz’s unit is building permanent bunkers in which they will winter. He notices that the animals they had grown used to seeing have all burrowed underground. Fritz writes Sophie that he too has become a “burrowing” animal.
Re-reading Sophie’s old letters, Fritz picks up on her references to Schurik and asks if Schurik was her Russian teacher. He tells Sophie that he too wants to learn Russian.
Why this matters:
The notion that German civilians had no idea what was going on is simply ludicrous. As can be seen from Fritz’s letters - as well as Otl’s - men on the frontlines were telling family and friends what they saw and experienced.
Fritz is telling Sophie about Stalingrad in September 1942, a full 4+ months before their ultimate defeat in that place. Even if German radio and newspapers were not carrying the dismal reports, “letters home” certainly described what was happening.
Applies to us as well! If someone trusted is on the ground, reporting via emails or texts or whatever media, believe them over your local newspaper, Substack writer, Twitter, TV news, or magazine. Especially when you’re hearing it from multiple sources.
We are responsible for our own political education.The little scene where Fritz is defending his worldview against ‘convinced’ Nazis, and yet does not feel belittled or demeaned by the conversation? It’s such a nice and unexpected incident, one we today can most certainly identify with!
White Rose History, Volume II, pages 201-203.
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