Jaeger how well I know that the official docs are quite differnt than chatting with the vets. sure cross examination does help and is needed to accept a total picture of the battle/campaign and war.

I can only try to understand what it was like to have the invaders in your backyard. I have been told by reltaives in Germany that I am sure lucky to live in a time like I do now.........I'm not so sure of that but tyranny is hell in any perspective and applaud what the Soviets, and Allies in the west did to stop the German juggernaut on the field of battle. My relatives have all said they were wrong their country run by a fool to push us ever and ever into a pit they could not get out. As my relatives still living are farmers and vineyard owners/employees even during the war, all they wanted to do was try and carve out an existance, as many throughout Europe and Russia.
By the way I also lost two other relatives that were pilots in the Luftwaffe .......