September 1, 04:20. I am currently standing in front of my troops to deliver the final speech before the battle begins, holding orders from my superiors. Naturally, the paper contains the attack orders and some of the reasons behind it.
"Honorable soldiers, soon you will enter the battlefield. This war will be different from the First World War, and perhaps far more deadly, but!! This war will determine the fate of our country, our families, and our future. Therefore, I WANT ALL OF YOU TO FIGHT WITH THE HIGHEST FIGHTING SPIRIT!!!!"
"YOU ARE THE HONORABLE SOLDIERS OF GERMANY, SOLDIERS OF THE FUHRER, AND ALSO THE PROTECTORS OF THE GERMAN REICH PEOPLE!!!"
"ALL EYES OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE, FAMILIES, OFFICERS, AND THE FUHRER WILL BE FIXED ON YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE COMING BATTLE!!!!"
"WE WILL WIN THIS WAR!!"
I delivered the speech with great enthusiasm because the atmosphere was so supportive, and I truly did not expect to be able to speak like that. I felt as if I were possessed by something while giving the speech, and I also felt that my personality was strange. According to the orders, we will start moving towards the border at 04:30, and we will cross the border at 04:45.
A few minutes later, many Panzers, armored vehicles, and motorized units began to move. After the armored units advanced, my troops and I followed suit. I am currently carrying a backpack, a Kar 98k rifle, a pot, 25 rounds of ammunition, and many other supplies. If I were to add it all up, the total weight of my gear might exceed 20 kilograms.
I also removed my officer’s cap and put on a helmet to be a bit safer. We are marching in a spread-out formation, not close together like in the movies, to avoid heavy casualties if the enemy fires projectiles like artillery.
Oh yes, each infantryman also carries a gas mask as a precaution in case of chemical warfare like in the First World War, although I know that won’t happen. The gas mask has another function as well; it can be worn if the battlefield is covered in thick smoke or dust.
From the sky, the sound of Luftwaffe aircraft never ceases and continues to be heard. They are as numerous as a flock of birds, flying at considerable speed.
Armored vehicles also appear to be lined up on the highway in great numbers. I feel quite nervous at this moment, but I am a Captain and the leader of an infantry company.
Then I smiled.
"I’ll bet that I will survive this battle."
As we marched, the soldiers sang an infantry song with the following lyrics:
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Kameraden laßt uns singen-
eine Melodie
denn es soll ein Lied erklingen-
auf die Infanterie.
Denn sie ist allerzeit
immer kampfbereit
ob es donnert, blitzt oder kracht.
Ihrem steten Kampfgelingen
ist dieses Lied erdacht.
Comrades, let us sing
a melody
for a song shall be heard
for the infantry.
For they are always
always ready for battle
whether it thunders, lightning, or crashes.
This song was conceived for their constant fighting success.
Panzer und Flieger
schaffens nie allein
können nie allein die Sieger
auf dem Schlachtfeld sein.
Können es nicht schaffen
ohne deinen Einsatz nie
Einsatz nie!
Königin der Waffen
Deutsche Infantrie!
Tanks and planes
never make it alone
can never be the sole victors
on the battlefield.
Cannot make it
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without your commitment
never!
King of weapons
German infantry!
Ohne Halt durch Sturm und Regen
mitten in der Nacht.
Ohne Halt dem Feind entgegen
was auch kommen mag.
Ob auch heiß der Tag
ob auch kalt die Nacht
ob auch fern die Heimat ist
Heimat ist.
Stets kämpft auf allen Wegen
stolz der Infantrist.
Without stopping through storms and rain
in the middle of the night.
Without stopping towards the enemy
whatever may come.
Whether the day is hot
whether the night is cold
whether home is far away
home is home.
The infantryman always fights proudly on all roads.
Panzer und Flieger
schaffens nie allein
können nie allein die Sieger
auf dem Schlachtfeld sein.
Können es nicht schaffen
ohne deinen Einsatz nie
Einsatz nie!
Königin der Waffen
Deutsche Infantrie!
Tanks and planes
never make it alone
can never be the sole victors
on the battlefield.
Cannot make it
without your commitment
never!
King of weapons
German infantry!
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This is a song commonly sung by infantry troops. If the Panzer units have the *Panzerlied*, then the infantry has the *Infanterielied*.
At 04:45, the sound of gunfire began to echo, artillery started firing, and dozens of tanks also opened fire toward the Polish border posts. Oh yes, another reason I chose to join the military was that I was curious about this war and wanted to explore it further.
"This is not like in the movies."
"In the movies, soldiers shoot at very close range, and lives seem to have no value, but here it is very different."
I could only see the enemy through binoculars because they were about 700 meters to 1.5 kilometers away. The infantry also started shooting at enemy bunkers, and of course, the enemy didn’t just sit there—they returned fire.
"In this war, everyone knows they only have one life, so they will seek the safest possible position."
Naturally, I also fired at the enemy right beside a Panzerkampfwagen III, and yes, I managed to hit three enemies using seven bullets. Not bad for such a long distance. Since we have air superiority, the Luftwaffe easily finds prey on the ground, especially the Stuka.
For the enemy, the Stuka’s siren is like a horror sound, but for us, who are the spearhead of the Blitzkrieg, the Stuka’s siren is a sign that we must keep moving forward and not be afraid because the Luftwaffe will support us.
After a few minutes of gunfire exchange, the enemy artillery managed to hit and destroy a Panzerkampfwagen II about 40 meters in front of me, and it immediately exploded. I witnessed a horrifying scene for the first time.
"HELP!!!!"
"I’M ON FIRE!!!!!"
Of course, other infantrymen tried to spray water to help the crew, who were already severely injured, but they eventually died. This is the first time in both my lives that I have seen two people burn alive right in front of my eyes.
I then gave hand signals and blew my whistle for my company to advance following the Panzer unit. The further we advanced, the less frequently the enemy’s gunfire was heard, and the Panzer units kept firing at enemy positions without stopping.
"The sound of gunfire truly continued nonstop."
Ahead of us, a village was also seen burning fiercely due to mortar, artillery, and Panzer fire. However, I noticed that a group of Polish soldiers was waving a white flag, apparently the Polish border troops.
I then signaled to the non-commissioned officers and platoon commanders to quickly advance and capture the surrendering Polish soldiers. Although some enemy soldiers surrendered, the Panzer units kept advancing without stopping, as if they were arrows constantly flying forward.
I then approached the group of Polish soldiers with my 1st and 2nd platoons, a total of 80 men. Meanwhile, I ordered the 3rd platoon to search the village.
After that, I saw the Polish officer who was visibly trembling with fear, raising his hands, while all my subordinates pointed their rifles at the surrendering Polish soldiers as if they intended to execute them.
"Search them," I ordered.
"Yes!, Frau Hauptmann."
Some of my subordinates responded to my command and immediately began searching for all the surrendering Polish soldiers. I noticed one soldier treating a Polish soldier very roughly, even hitting the Polish soldier's head with the butt of his rifle.
"Stop! Do not treat them harshly," I commanded.
I then began counting the number of surrendering Polish soldiers.
"There are about 28 of them; have them sit down," I ordered.
After hearing my command, my subordinates instructed the Polish soldiers to sit down. I observed their expressions—they were all very frightened, and some were already resigned to their fate.
"Contact the 3rd Company to bring these prisoners to the rear," I said to the soldier in charge of communications.
Part of the village is now engulfed in flames, even though it is still quite dark. The fire has caused the area to become somewhat brighter. The villagers also seemed resigned, pleading for their homes not to be searched, but I just observed my subordinates carrying out their duties.
Not long after, one of my soldiers dragged a Polish soldier out of a hut in the village. Suddenly, my instincts told me there was danger, so I immediately aimed my rifle at the Polish soldier being dragged out.
Sure enough, the Polish soldier fought back and managed to kill two of my subordinates, and I immediately executed the Polish soldier from a distance of 50 meters.
"GET THE WOUNDED OUT, QUICKLY!" I ordered.
I was shocked, especially since just a few hours ago, the two of them had a long conversation with me and even offered me some sausages. I then drew my Luger pistol and fired it into the air.
"ANY ACT OF RESISTANCE WILL HAVE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES!!!!" I shouted a warning while firing into the sky.
Of course, my subordinates became even angrier as a result of this incident, treating the villagers harshly and intending to conduct further searches. Meanwhile, the soldiers sitting near me could only hang their heads in despair, growing even more terrified due to my warning.
An officer then approached me; it was Second Lieutenant Fred, the commander of the third platoon.
"Report! The entire village has been searched, but I believe they may still be hiding something."
"Burn this village," I said.
"Yesl!"
This was a difficult decision for me to make, but if I didn't make it, there was a possibility that my subordinates would be killed again. It was a choice between killing or being killed, and my mind was prepared for this. After that, I used my binoculars and saw that the Panzer units had advanced quite far, along with many other infantry units.
"Please don't burn my house!!!"
"Please!!"
The pleas of the villagers and the cries of children could be heard as my subordinates began to set the village on fire. And as I suspected, three Polish soldiers were burned alive, screaming in agony until their bodies were charred.
I don't know if this event will be a moral burden for my subordinates or a psychological burden.
"But this is just a small part of war; war is hell."
Even though the entire village burned, there was a watchtower that remained unscathed, and one of my subordinates was seen raising the German flag on top of the tower.
In short, I then handed over about 34 Polish prisoners to another unit, and we continued marching to catch up with the Panzer units that had advanced quite far. I also made sure to retrieve the dog tags of my two fallen subordinates and gave them a proper burial.
"Also, I’m still curious, why do Polish soldiers salute with two fingers?"
"And I hope not to encounter the Einsatzgruppen because they are a nuisance."