Stalingrad-Hell on Earth

[Horch]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Jim, I intend no disrespect to your post so please don't take this the wrong way.

My father was at Stalingrad with the 14th Panzer Division, and I have yet to see a photograph that comes close to matching some of what he described to me.
Case in point, the photo directly above of the Volga. To me, that photo is almost serene compared to way it was described to me. I'll share the story with you.

My father was part of Army Group South and as he told it they just finished clearing a path between the Don and Volga rivers, and began to assault the city from the southeast pushing their way north. My father said after three years of war, it as the most brutal fighting he had yet to see. No longer was he tearing across the steppes at top speed, but crawling along in support of infantry through the rubble of streets, always worried that the debris would rip loose a track link.
He said the ground trembled from the roar of bombers overhead and buildings shook from massive explosions. Ash and fine dust fell like snow and the sound of small arms fire, men screaming and the growl of machines all blended into a constant din.
He placed the date somewhere in early to mid September when he was told to move his panzer into an area not far from the banks of the Volga, where the slope of the land and the clutter of ruins offered some protection while they took on fuel and ammo.
He said it was night, and the area around them and some of the river was awash in an orange glow from the fires of the city. The air reeked of smoke, cordite and rotting flesh and although the fighting has eased, the clatter of small arms and the crump of grenades could still be heard.
My father told me he was handing the last of some machine gun ammo to a crew mate through an open hatch when he and others around him heard an incredible sound coming out the dark toward them. Everyone snapped around as if by order, some reaching for their sidearms, others grabbing rifles. He described it as a cross between women crying and old men moaning.
When the source of the sound broke into the light no one raised a weapon or fired a shot. They were too stunned.

Dogs, my father told me, perhaps as many as 40 all moving in one great mass, leaping over debris with eyes glowing in the firelight. Mouths open wide and tongues swinging.

They ran pass the tank, the crew and supply detail without so much as a glance and on reaching the river, plowed in without breaking stride and began to swim. The men stood silent and shocked as they watched them fade into the darkness.

"The dogs fled Stalingrad," My father told me. "Only those with orders stayed."

That was a great read cyberia. Forgive me if I am being ignorant, but just what kind of disrespect could be interpreted from that?

[Horch]

[quote=krieg;34955]

Originally Posted by Horch

I thought this was a good one.[/QUOTE

one could say really bombed out .. great pics thanks for showing us
best krieg

Thanks, I did neglect to state it was a before and after.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Horch

That was a great read cyberia. Forgive me if I am being ignorant, but just what kind of disrespect could be interpreted from that?

I did not want Jim to think I was taking exception to, or making light of his statement that these photos represented what the battle was like.

Yes, they do give us an idea. However, regarding Stalingrad, based on stories I heard growing up I think the adage "worth a thousand words" comes up a tad short.

Also bear in mind that particular telling was only from the start of the battle. Other stories from later on were far, far worse.

Men from both sides suffered greatly, and did amazing and terrible things in that time and place.

Such is the nature of war.

[Horch]

Oh...... I looked for something by Jim and didn't see anything. Some more of your Fathers experiences would be of great interest to read if you feel you would care to share them.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Horch

Oh...... I looked for something by Jim and didn't see anything. Some more of your Fathers experiences would be of great interest to read if you feel you would care to share them.

I should have been clearer, Horch. It was Jim Clarke's post I was responding to.

I have four composition notebooks I filled with my Pop's recollections of the war and his imprisonment in the USSR. He came to live with my wife and I when in his mid-90s, and spent many a night up until his death discussing things I never heard speak of before, and I kept notes.

I have to guess that some of the dates, locations and details may have been off a bit due to his advanced age, but some of the stuff is just fascinating.

Down the road a bit I plan to pull them out and cobble together a thread for the site.

[jwarrenclarke]

I always foind it og great interest to hear and read first hand accounts of WW II veterans and look forward to hearing more of your father's account of his war experiances.

By the way I have come across several accounts that mention the dogs swiming the Volga to escape from Stalingrad.

Jim Clarke

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by jwarrenclarke

I always foind it og great interest to hear and read first hand accounts of WW II veterans and look forward to hearing more of your father's account of his war experiances.

By the way I have come across several accounts that mention the dogs swiming the Volga to escape from Stalingrad.

Jim Clarke

Did any mention if they actually make it to the other side? I've wondered about that since I was 12.

The only other reference I have come across was a mention in a documentary, I think it was "The World At War", but there was no footage.

This was long after I had heard the story and it didn't really hit me. I guess with age there comes a deeper appreciation just how bad "bad" can be.

[jwarrenclarke]

Come to think of it I don't remember if there is any mention of the dogs reaching the other side. I just remember it being mentioed.

Jim Clarke

[LAH 1 SS]

cyberia i too would like to hear more of your grandfathers exploits when the time permits please post away

[Holly6]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Actually, I have a pretty good picture of what it was like. At one time I had a "living" reference.

Let's see: An excellent way with words, access to a unique perspective,
a passion for the subject, when do you publish?