Departing the Caucasus

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 103 The end of February, 1943. After weeks of heaving fighting, the Soviet push into the Caucasus region which began after the fall of Stalingrad gained in strength. Eventually the German command was forced to order a shortening of the front. In our zone, we were ordered to hold fast until told otherwise. Finally on the evening of the February 27 the order came in. Early the following morning most of the vehicles would be departing and that the remaining would follow shortly behind. Our B. -Wagen, or mobile office, which was loaded with the important documents, regulations, maps and the range-finders, will be leaving in the first group. In the evening the larger items, for example the document cases, are packed up. All non-essential items are simply left behind. That’s how we unfortunately are to be separated from our three metal beds, our table and our four stools that have served us well for such a long time. Our self-made bunk bed was already lost a few days earlier when we needed firewood and it ended up in the oven. At 3.00 hrs. the day of our departure the weather is luckily quite good. During the night the ground had frozen which provided the vehicles with a hard surface to drive on and allows us to get clear of the muddy town. Just before leaving I cook some liver and then minced beef mixed with onion and salt in a pan on the oven. We’ll certainly get hungry during the trip and something could happen to the field kitchen. On our way out of Krymskaja (Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia) we’re greeted by a number of Russian planes. Fortunately it’s still dusk and our column of about 70 vehicles isn’t spotted. They continue on towards Noworossisjk. A little later the sun breaks through and suddenly there in front of us rises the spectacular Caucasian Mountain Range with its mountain peeks covered with in snow. It looks as though the sun is doing battle with the last of the clouds, It’s a magnificent sight. After a short drive through a valley we enter the mountainous region. Where before, with the warmth from sun there was an almost springlike feeling, now as we climbed in elevation the temperature drops and winter seems to have returned. The steepening incline is no problem for our V8 Ford which has 4-wheel-drive. Karl is a fine driver, he learned how to master mountain-driving in Yugoslavia. Where other vehicles in the column have problems, Karl manages to continue. We pass by two horse mounted Cossacks who are easily identified from a distance by the red capes. They look odd with their black fur caps, their long swords and the bright colors. A larger town is reached and there is plenty of commotion from the presence of a large mixture of soldiers and civilians. We see a company of Cossacks, cossacks in field grey German uniforms - only by the insignia being worn on their collar (Kragenspiegel) and shoulders can they be identified as Cossacks. Then it is suddenly becomes clear what is going on. They are all carrying shovels and digging trenches for the defense of the area. Included in the crowd are Russian women and girls also with shovels there to do their part of the heavy work. The reaction to our presence varies. Many consider us friends, preferring us to the Soviets. They can usually be identified by their appearance being clean and well kept, wearing fur jackets and nice clothing. This friendliness has much to do with the behavior of our soldiers. With few exceptions, we generally respect the personal property, the food, the livestock, of the people from the Caucasian region. Only the chickens are in real danger. Hardly a German soldier has resisted taking at least one. Even the most useful items such as buckets, pots and pans, axes, saws, oil lamps are not taken. But a chicken passing by, that’ll go straight into our pot. Then there are those who have a more Bolshevik tendency. They see us as the “Nazis” who have come and destroyed their country. Of these, of course, there are few who actually let their opinion be known. Just as different as their way of thinking, is their appearance. Most of them wear bulky stained jackets, tattered trousers, and dirty old head cloths. But here, now all are mixed together and working with a shovel, it’s an odd scene. Before I show the second clip of the Cossack training footage I’d like to thank my Patreon supporters. Without them buying these originals to make this content would not be possible. If you are not yet a supporter, please consider becoming one. As a supporter you receive access to exclusive footage that can’t be shown here. Sign up for a free account at Military1945.com and take a look at some example footage. And now, let’s get back to the Cossacks.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 104 His diary continues… Soon we arrive to Werchne-Backanskaja, which is a massive cement factory complex. Up on top of almost every hill is a factory. That’s where lime is extracted from open pit mines and directly processed into cement. But these factories are no longer in service. Many have been destroyed and there are no longer workers to operate them. We cross the train tracks and are faced again with limitless destruction. Judging by the number of burned out trains, the German Stukas have done their work here well here. A number of trains including locomotives were hit so powerfully that they were blown off the tracks and rolled down the mountain. They’ve just been left where they lie, and haven’t been touched for years. Climbing in elevation again, traversing a number of switchbacks we then go through the pass. Up at the top we have another incredible view of the snow topped mountains. We go down through another set of traverses that are often so tight that it seems that our truck will leave the road and tumble down the mountain. But our driver Karl is a master of the situation. At the bottom the sun is shining still but strong gusts of wind from the coast are cold. We approach the city Anapa which is exactly like most Russian cities made up of many poor shack-like houses and a few impressive Soviet built buildings. These are known as Lenin or Stalin houses. These impressive building complexes are often photographed for newspapers and travel brochures and are used to advertise Soviet Russia’s “beauty”. The Black Sea is now in view. It’s been named properly as the water is an unnatural dark blue color. The road winds along the coast and we pass a number of sunken ships with their masts sticking up angled out of the water. Most of the ships were attempting to reach the shore when they were spotted by German planes or artillery and were attacked. It’s early afternoon and our column of vehicles pulls off the road. Nearby is a Russian hospital, that now serves as a fire-base for German coastal guns. It’s a strange feeling hanging out behind some dunes. It’s pleasant, this really could be a summer vacation. The coastal batteries lie positioned well camouflaged among the dunes. They are mostly silent not wanting to give away their location to the Soviet planes that often circle above. Constant explosions can be heard coming from Anapa where the Bolsheviks attack the port area. Two good trucks have to be left behind here as the General gave instructions to our commander that no vehicles should be towed. The larger trucks are really impractical in Russia. They have too little ground clearance and the engines are not built sturdy enough to withstand the terrible road conditions. After sleeping for a few hours in a large warehouse, at 23.00 hrs. we continue on with our journey. The roads being sandy slows down progress considerably. No lights are allowed and in the pitch black we strain to see what’s in front of us. Continuing on at a snail’s pace time passes. With dawn a brilliant red streak stretches out above the Caucasian Mountains which indicates that we are likely to be in for some rain. If that is the case then the resulting mud will likely stop us in our tracks. When we get to a group of Romanians that are responsible for coastal guard we stop. A number of fields have signs that mark them as mined. They are Romanian minefields. Here to the south there are many Romanians present. In addition to infantry, there are also Romanian cavalry and artillery units. The relationship between the Romanians and the Germans is not particularly good. Often it’s closer to being enemies. But why is that? The main reason is because the Romanians have in their defensive positions or attacking roles not put up enough resistance to stop the Russians. In certain instances they even were known to defect to the Russians. In these cases it was necessary for Germans to arrive and plug up the gap that had been left wide open. Also their appearance is suspect. The officers are well groomed with a kind of French elegance about them. They speak German well and are friendly and trustworthy to German soldiers. The general enlisted men are another story. They are disorderly, unkept, always begging for bread which we ourselves barely have much of, They are generally annoying and you have to keep an eye on them because they seem to not understand the concept of yours and mine. Romanian civilians can’t be trusted either. They take everything that they can get their hands on. Russian civilians are happy when the Romanian soldiers move on. We just recently received orders that from now on we need to get along better with the Romanians, help them out much as possible to get past these difficult moments. We are fighting for the same goal, to destroy Bolshevism.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 123 On the Taman Peninsula, which is on the eastern bank of the Kerch Straight, the German situation had became critical during the first months of 1943. This combat footage showing a German crew escaping their hit tank fits in well with part 4 of the series Departing the Caucasus. This sensational 9 page war-diary describes the 1943 retreat of the German Wehrmacht out of the Caucasus region across the Strait of Kerch and into the Crimea. In parts 1 - 3 our writer describes his unit’s movement to the west , their arrival to the Taman Peninsula and his experiences in the region. He gives his impression of their Romanian allies, the Cossacks and the locals population. Coincidently, he turns out to be talented writer. Using the diary as a frame I’ll introduce related private film footage and photographs. If you like this kind of content put together using primary historical sources please like the video and subscribe to the channel. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. In part 3 of this series Fritz's column had stopped in a field for the night. As the evening continues more vehicles arrive. Soon hundreds of them are all parked packed in together in 1 square km area, vehicles, as far as the eye can see. In the summer, such a Biwak out in the open can be quite nice, but now? In addition to being so densely parked, it starts to rain. We hope that it will soon stop because if it doesn’t, no vehicle will be able to leave until it dries. Our water supply is a problem. Water used for the cooking must be carried 2 km. There’s no water for washing. It’s like in Africa, but instead of the heat there is an uncomfortable wet cold. With a 1/4 cup of coffee I’m able to shave which is about all I can offer to cleanliness right now. We’re also running out of wood and are considering cutting down one of the telegraph poles but there are lines connected which could make the action dangerous. The damn depot manager gives us so little firewood! A new day but unfortunately the weather hasn’t changed. It’s still raining non-stop and the next day is the same way. We really are surrounded by pools of water that are getting larger and larger. It’s the third day here, it’s still raining and things are getting more serious. Karl and I are ordered cut down a telegraph mast to keep it out of enemy hands. We can see the mast in the distance supported by two wooden planks and we head off armed with a saw. The mast is made of oak and cutting it down is incredibly difficult. The cut supports are really heavy but we manage to drag them back towards our position. This 1943 footage shows German soldiers carrying out the official Scorched Earth policy that intended to leave nothing of use to the advancing Soviet army. Fritz describes his small part in this policy and on a personal level is clearly clearly is most in the firewood that can be gained. This is a good time for me to thank my Patreon contributors. Without their support buying these sources wouldn’t be possible. Patreon members get access to exclusive footage that can’t be show here. Sign up for a free account at Military1945.com and see some example footage. But let’s get back to Fritz’s entries. On the way back we come across a shot up German truck to the side of the road. As we approach we see that over the steering wheel is a dead Russian Hiwi, or auxiliary volunteer. He seems dead but as we get closer he moans. It’s an unbelievably sad sight, this small man without boots in the cold and rain. He can’t stay here, he’d just freeze. We stop a passing truck and explain the situation to those inside. They say that they’ll go to the neighboring town and let the Russian field police know so that they can come and take care of him. At the end of this video say a few words about Hiwis and show an interesting clip so stick around.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 124 This 1944 color footage shows a German field repair station. Specifically associated with this video is the prime mover which was used to move heavy vehicles and weaponry. At this end of this video I’ll show more from this clip so stick around. The order comes in, prepare to depart. What we believed yesterday to be impossible has happened, the ground can be traversed. This nice footage from 1944 shows the process of fueling in the field. The soldier first uses a hand pump to fill his fuel canisters and then uses them to fill the tank of his vehicle. Footage like this showing every day tasks give insight into the soldiers daily routine. This is part 5 of a series covering a fantastic and unique 1943 war diary of a German soldier who took part in the Wehrmacht’s retreat out of the Caucasus. The last time we were with our author Fritz, after being stuck in a field in the mud for days of rain the weather finally turned. With the ground now frozen it seemed that the convoy would be able to continue their journey West towards the Kertsch straight and the Crimea. In this video using his diary as a framework, I’ll add related private film footage, an original map of the region and at the end more from that color footage to continue with his story. If you like this kind of material based on primary historical sources please like the video and subscribe to the channel. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. he was literally dangerously stuck out in the open in a field among many vehicles in the mud after days of rain with the situation looking grim. We drive slowly forwards across the fields being careful so that the truck doesn’t get stuck. When a more complicated obstacle is reached we come to a stop and discuss the best way to approach it hoping to avoid unexpected surprises. Many were not as careful and have gotten stuck. It’s also not possible to simply push the stuck trucks out because the axels are so low which could result in damaging the vehicles and then they reallywould be stuck. They have to wait until a prime mover can come and carefully lift them out. We come to s a little stream that seems too risky to try and cross. As evidence, on the other side sits a truck that tried and is stuck. What to do? Heinz, our most map literate, finds a location about 2km to the south where he believes it will be easier to cross so we move on in that direction. The carpentry truck follows us in the mobile office vehicle. We arrive and the stream is little more than a trickle so make it across without much trouble. Only a small portion of the Taman Peninsula remains in front of us now, then comes the Kertsch Straight and finally the Crimea. In the distance we can already see the city of Kertsch with its many factory smoke stacks thrusting up into the air. Beams of sunlight pierce the clouds and provide us with a magnificent view. Our two truck, the small BMW of the carpenter and our mobile office vehicle are the first to arrive to the new destination which means that we’re the winners of the great obstacle course! The rest of the convoy arrive one after the other over the next few hours however two small Fiat trucks had to be left behind. Their transmissions weren’t up to the challenge. A small BMW that’s having problems with its clutch needs a friendly push which we provide with the mobile office vehicle. The clatter that truck makes as it limps along is pitiful. We stay for 2 days just outside of Taman and wait for our turn to proceed. A seemingly endless line of vehicles are waiting in front of us for the same thing. There are 30 vessels in operation that are doing the ferrying. Upon arrival they unload massive quantities of fuel, munitions, rations, horse feed, and wood and stone for construction. Unloading it all takes a considerable amount of time which is slowing everything down. Taman is a horrible place. Ash, rubble and destroyed buildings as far as you can see. Everything near the harbor has been completely leveled. In this zone the garrisoned soldiers live in foxholes and bunkers. There are few civilians present living in the few houses that remain standing. All the windows have been bricked up with only small cracks left open to allow at least a little light in. And now, here is the rest of that color clip. Please remember too subscribe. Thanks for watching.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 128 This original 1943 news report fits in well with part 6 of the series covering a fantastic and unique original 1943 war diary from a German soldier who took part in the Wehrmacht’s retreat out of the Caucasus. The last time we were with our author Fritz, he had managed to get to the port city of Tamanj. Here we’ll follow as he attempts to cross the strait of Kertsch. If you like material created from primary historical sources please like the video and subscribe to the channel. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. The hundreds or maybe thousands of vehicles , especially the horses and wagons make wonderful targets for the attacking Russian planes. Today they come, like just about every day, in a group of 6 attacking bombers. The flak guns positioned on all the surrounding hills open up on them. Their aim is good but the Russian pilots insist. Suddenly there is a large noise which gets quickly much louder, the well known sound of an exploding bomb. Everyone dives into a trench or at least falls to the ground and covers up. The first explosions are a way off but the following ones are closer. A thick cloud of dust rises up into the air and shrapnel and clumps of earth fly in all directions. The truck just in front of us was hit by a large piece of shrapnel in the hood that make an impressive hole but somehow the motor isn’t damaged. It still runs. Multiple buildings have been hit which simply increases the number of burnt out ruins. In addition a number of civilians and horses have been injured. Various vehicles have received light damage but nothing really substantial. This time it hadn’t been worth the effort for the Bolsheviks. After over a half day waiting in line our vehicle has moved forwardd just a few lengths. Is today the day that we will finally be loaded onto a ship? On signs we see designations like Harbor Captain, Embarking officer and Disembarking Officer which means that there is some method to this madness. The process has been thought through. We reach a non-distinct marker and it is our turn. When 6 vehicles hare positioned themselves correctly we’re told to start our engines and proceed to the embarking bridge. A group of pioneers and sailors guide us through the process. Under the energetic direction of a few officers 4 trucks and 6 to 8 cars are brought on to the transport barge. Yesterday two transport barges hit mines and were blown to smithereens. This leaves us with an uneasy feeling that only gets worse when we are all given life vests and told to put them on. It’s raining which is actually good for the crossing because that means that there will be no Russian planes above. Regardless the flak guns onboard are locked and loaded. We set off and gradually the Kaukasus mountains sink behind us. From now on that part of the war is just a memory. The water is calm but still large jets of water spurt up and drench those that are not paying attention. Although we have been unable to adequately wash for days the salt water leaves us feeling none the fresher. The distance to travel is about 20km which takes about two hours and is without incident. When the other bank comes into view we all breath a little easier. All the swim vests are collected. When we finally disembark in Kertsch it’s gotten dark. An hour or so later everyone has taken his place in the truck to sleep and only the footsteps of those on guard duty outside can be heard.