Description
Object description
German schoolchild in Ortelsburg, Germany, 1933-1944; labourer with Reichs Labour Service in Germany, 1944-1945; private served with German Army in Germany, 1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Ortelsburg, Germany, 1927-1933: family; education. Recollections of period as schoolchild in Ortelsburg, Germany, 1933-1944: working on father's farm; education; hearing Adolf Hitler's voice on radio for the first time; success of Nazi Party in election, 1933; tells joke about Nazi leaders; activities of Sturmabteilung (SA); persecution of his family's Seventh Day Adventist group; joining Hitler Youth; activities with Hitler Youth; build up German military
REEL 2 Continues: German invasion of Poland, 9/1939; reports received on German invasion of Poland; publicity surrounding Munich Agreement, 9/1938; attitude towards Soviet Union; awareness of Katyn Massacre; story of how Soviet authorites shot men in his village post-war; lack of support for Nazis in Ortelsburg; situation for farmers during Second World War; polish labourers on farm; black market; lack of contact with Jewish civilians; lack of knowledge of concentration camps.
REEL 3 Continues: degree of anti-Semitism; attitude towards Adolf Hitler's speeches; attitude towards Adolf Hitler and his policies. Aspects of period as labourer with Reichs Labour Service in Germany, 1944-1945: call-up for service with Reichs Labour Service, 1944; training in Reichs Labour Service. Recollections of operations as private with German Army in Germany, 1945: conscription into German Army, 1/1945; night alarm training; posting to second line of defence; casualties in his company; battle with Soviet Army.
REEL 4 Continues: retreat to Stablack; sight of wounded soldiers; differing reactions to pain; Soviet Army attack; sustaining wound; treatment in hospital at Schleswig; bombing of crowded square by lone aircraft; discharge from Germany Army; decision not to return to home in Soviet Zone of Occupation, Germany. Aspects of life post-war.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects post-war life in Germany and United States of America: meeting and marrying wife; move to Lubeck and reunion with some of family; moving to United States of America with family, 1951; contrast of life in United States of America to life in Germany; reaction to learning of Holocaust; talking to schools about his wartime experience.