I have been reading about a german soldiers experience on the Russian front and i can't help but wonder a few things... Before the german soldier was fighting for just his life...what was he fighting for?
Also what was germany's victory goals regarding invading Russia?

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Originally posted by Ron:

Before the german soldier was fighting for just his life...what was he fighting for?
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Against the Jewish and bolshevism “threat”, for his beloved Führer and the National Socialistic ideology, for German hegemony on the European continent and because he was told to fight.

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Also what was germany's victory goals regarding invading Russia
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Occupy Russia from Archelansk to Astrachan (AA-line), destroy Bolshevism, enslave the Slavic population, loot the country, gain living space (Lebensraum) for Aryan settlers, destroy Leningrad, Moscow.

The clash between Germany and Russia was inevitable.

In Hitler's book Mein Kampf he outlined his specific ambitions regarding Russia. It wasn't simply about exterminating the "untermensch". I never read the book, so I can't say.

Someone read it?

Don't worry Mito, is not a very interesting book, I started one day, to read it...It was so boring, so sad,...I don't understand how people could be enthusiastic on this book and this way of thinking...

Comet
(paratrooper)

All the lowly foot soldier knew was that he was fighting against bolshevism (communism). The same reason given to the lowly American soldier in Korea and Vietnam. It was reason enough.......at the time.

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Tschuss

Thats a very good way of saying that...It really puts things into perspective.

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Admiral William "Bull" Halsey...

There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.

Dear Ron: The German soldier also fought for his Kameraden. A good book on the subject is by: Christopher Ailsby, and one by: Gordon Williamson. I cant remember exact titles, but look into these authors and you cannot go wrong.

In fact, I think a good title is called "Waffen SS-Role of Infamy" by: Gordon Williamson. It has a black cover, with either white or silver SS Runes with inlaid photos, on its cover. This book for sure, will answer your question. Also, read the book: "The Last Knight of Flanders" by Allen Brandt, and the book: "Shooting The War" by Otto Giese. All are excellent reads.

Hope this helps.

I have read a few of his books too, and thats what it says in it. He even has a bunch of soldiers he interviews and their stories are in there.

I highly recommend reading Ailsby and Williamsons books on that subject--at least you will get a very decent "picture" of the subject.

Hi C.E! I just bought a copy of Waffen SS Hitlers instrument of terror. I read the first chapter already and I see I will like the book very much. I looked for the titles you listed but they were out of them all. I ordered one title from each auther you listed. Thanks for the info!

Hello. That is a good book to start with. Let me know what you think on it when you finish reading it.

I am already 4 chapters into the book, and its great so far.

This kind of sounds like you are possibly talking about the book about Guy Sajer, is it?

yeah back when i posted this topic...i was reading his book.

The book was a very good read but I think it has too much fiction in it. I did like reading about the training parts though.

Wasn't the rationale for the entire war the glorious "greater German Reich" which was to be the result of all the Blitzkrieg-style swooping into the nations surrounding Germany?
I recall an account which stated that Hitler believed that Germany would eventually "manage" the Lebensraum garnered in the East in a manner similar to the British dominion of India and the far East.
Sort of lording over the "ignorant indigs" as though sent by divine providence to provide civilized order...




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Novus Ordo Seclorum

I think guy sajer's book was accurate...however accurate in a different sense...he even put much emphasis on the fact that he probably won't get towns and dates correct..i think his goal was not to teach the battles but to just give an account of a soldiers life in the war...and at that he excelled!