7. Juni 1943
Over there the Russians are singing. When the Ivans sing, it is advisable to increase vigilance. Frequently an attack is imminent after that. The Russians often get schnapps before such undertakings, and when they have had schnapps they sing.
Apparently Russian attack intentions have become known[1], because our outpost line down here, which was occupied by only one platoon, is to be expanded into a permanent position and manned by a reinforced company. For some days now they have been entrenching like mad here. New positions are being dug and old ones improved. Combat engineers are erecting wire entanglements in front of the positions. My previous dugout is being converted into a company command post and will have a quadruple layer of beams as a ceiling. I myself am given a new bunker fifty metres to the right. My mortar crews are also already digging fire positions into the sandy ground. I’m supposed to stay down there with them to reinforce the rifle company, especially since I already know the area so well. Wonderful view! Always the same![2].
The Russian, of course, has long since observed our busyness and for the first time fires mortars into the woods. That’s how it is now, since the reinforced company is down here, we have more security at night, but in return the peace and quiet during the day is over.
Max comes down with the commander and we reconnoitre more machine gun positions.
I have to interject something else here. I happened to read the report of a company leader who commanded the same section that I then took over. It was a particularly calm section. But what he made of it! He stylised every Russian who appeared and every shot he fired into a firefight. And how ironclad he was in holding the terribly threatened position! Oh, Lieutenant Schrödter, you clueless child! When will you finally learn to present yourself in the proper light?
My new bunker isn’t watertight. It’s raining through. I preferred the old one, even though it only had a tent roof.
The distribution of the sutler goods didn’t work out. Next time I’ll do the distribution myself. It’s the same with sutler goods as it once was with winter clothes. Before it gets to the front, it has already gone through many sieves. The better things, like skin cream, cognac, etc., are rare anyway and get stuck in the rear. The rest of the usable things are then taken by the company leadership, and the remaining rubbish finally reaches the front. Here, the squad leaders are the first to take it, and the last remains go to the Landser. Mostly it’s just stationery.
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- ↑ On 7 June 1943 attack intentions are supposed (KTB 1.PzA, NARA T-313 Roll 58 Frame 7293568), but also later, cf. e.g. enemy assessment by H.Gr. Süd of 18 June 1943 (KTB OKW 1943 p. 662 f.).
- ↑ latin “Semper talis”, motto and battle cry of the 1st Foot Guards Regiment, often uttered as a sigh