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| From the dairy of Signal-reporter Arthur Grimm during the German advance
in Russia, 1941:
'Last three days I slept for only two hours, and now one attack is following the other. Forwards we go, following the long 'tank road'. The country is almost flat, with a few trees and villages, and the smoke of burning vehicles. We do not like the trees and the huge cornfields, since they are dangerous positions. I can only write during the breaks between the battles, and have to hide below our tank. When we halt, the first thing we have do is to dig a hole which should protect us from shell fragments and enemy bombs. When we want to rest, the tank will be placed over the hole.' |
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| 'In the early morning hours, our tanks assemble for the attack. We are driving towards Dubno, but the villages in front are heavily defended. Our plan is to encircle the village W. near Dubno, and to attack the enemy in the back. Infantry will follow us. The information given by the commandant is written down on the map.' |
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| 'Each cornfield has to be searched, and we have to protect our infantry. The enemy doesn't surrender untill after complete encirclement. Quickly we have to search the prisoners for weapons and documents. Most of the time they have thrown away their identification documents, but from the little we find we hope to get some information about the enemy units in front of us. We also have to treat our wounded crew members.' |
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| 'During the night Russian artillery wanted to advance to shell our positions, but we were able to surprise them from behind. In the evening of the second day the battle is over, after fighting enemy tanks and artillery, who made our advance so difficult. Rest for two hours, to wash ourselves and to eat. While our comrades rest, the sentries are watching the horizon, looking for the enemy. Tomorrow we will be marching and fighting again.' |
