Departing the Caucasus 1943 Nr 4 - Retreat from Stalingrad - Scorched Earth Hiwis - Taman Peninsula

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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.

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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.