The German Perspective of WW2 | Memoirs Of WWII #49

Summary

The video recounts the experiences of Wolfram Forster, a German citizen during World War II, who recollects his journey from being drafted into the German army to eventually becoming a U.S. Army colonel. Through his perspective, viewers are taken back to the harsh realities of life under Nazi rule, the fear of speaking out, and the devastating impact of war. Forster's narrative highlights key events, such as Hitler's rise to power, the outbreak of war, and the eventual downfall of Nazi Germany. His story of survival, the human cost of war, and the journey to a new life in the United States paints a poignant picture of resilience and reflects on the tragic lessons of history.

Highlights

• Wolfram was drafted into the German Army during WWII amidst the crumbling Nazi regime 🎖️.
• The fear under Nazi rule was palpable; even mild criticism could result in death ☠️.
• Wolfram's encounter with American G.I.s signified his survival and the end of his war ordeal 🕊️.
• After the war, Wolfram reunited with his family and eventually moved to the U.S., fulfilling a childhood dream 🌍.
• Today, Wolfram is reminded of war's devastation when viewing current events, reflecting on the past 📺.

Key Takeaways

• Wolfram Forster's survival during and after the war is a testament to human resilience 🌟.
• The harsh realities of Nazi Germany and life at war highlight the importance of freedom and peace ✌️.
• Wolfram's post-war journey from Germany to the U.S. Army underscores the power of fresh starts and new opportunities 🇺🇸.

Overview

Wolfram Forster's memories of WWII provide a unique German perspective on the conflict. He recounts the oppressive nature of Nazi rule, where even a stray comment could lead to fatal consequences. Drafted into an army for a regime already on the decline, Wolfram experienced the horrors and unpredictability of war firsthand.

During the Allied invasion, Wolfram found himself in tense standoffs and eventually facing American forces. His capture by G.I.s marked a pivotal moment, as it signified both the end of his involvement in the war and his first steps toward survival. Through these experiences, he witnessed the collapse of Hitler's regime and the fragmentation of Germany.

After reuniting with his family and moving to the U.S., Wolfram established a new life, achieving the American dream by becoming a decorated physician and officer. Yet, even years later, reminders of destruction and conflict bring back memories of his wartime experiences, emphasizing the indelible impact of war on individuals and societies.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Facing the Allies The narrator describes a tense encounter where they received fire and were unable to get up because of ongoing shots. This period of danger persisted for an unknown amount of time until there was sudden silence. Then, unexpectedly, a voice broke the quiet, instructing the narrator to get up and come over.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Captured by the Allied Forces In the chapter titled 'Captured by the Allied Forces', the scene begins with a surprising encounter as the narrator finds themselves face to face with three G.I.s pointing rifles at them. Despite the tense moment, a break in the narrative introduces Josh, from 'Memoirs Of WWII', who briefly steps out of the storyline to share more about the project's mission and ways the audience can contribute to supporting veterans' stories. This chapter sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the experiences and emotions tied to wartime encounters and captures.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Introduction to Memoirs Of WWII Introduction to Memoirs Of WWII: This chapter introduces WWII, an organization dedicated to interviewing the last living veterans of the Second World War. The purpose is to preserve their stories and ensure their heroic acts and history are not forgotten. The organization is funded through donations received via Patreon and their website, inviting supporters to contribute to maintaining this important legacy. The chapter ends with a transition to the story of a veteran.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Memoirs Of WWII and Project Funding The chapter opens with reflections on Germany's loss in World War I and introduces Adolf Hitler, an Austrian-born politician, who rose to power amid political chaos in Germany. By 1933, Hitler and the Nazi party had taken control, with an ambition to restore Germany's former glory. This led to the preparation of German citizens, like Wolfram Forster, for a new era marked by militarization and impending conflict.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Post World War I to World War II The chapter provides a narrative of the period between World War I and World War II, focusing on personal accounts from someone whose father participated in the first World War. It describes the father's horrific experiences, and how these stories shaped perceptions of the subsequent conflict. As World War II began, there was a disconnect between the wars due to the nature of the conflicts. The chapter notably highlights the day World War II began with a vivid recollection of Hitler's radio announcement falsely claiming that Poland had attacked, marking a pivotal and personal historic moment.
• 02:30 - 03:00: The Rise of Nazi Germany The chapter discusses the rise of Nazi Germany, focusing on the deceptive tactics used by Hitler to justify the invasion of Poland. A fake Polish attack on a German radio station was used as a pretext for military aggression. France and Britain, aware of Hitler's aggressive actions, had cautioned him that invading Poland would result in their declaration of war on Germany, marking the start of a broader conflict.
• 03:00 - 03:30: The Outset of World War II The chapter "The Outset of World War II" provides a recount of how Hitler's dismissive actions toward warnings led to the official commencement of World War II. It highlights not only the ensuing nightly bombing raids that the German citizens had to endure but also the oppressive regime under Hitler's rule, which demanded total allegiance from the populace. It underscores the peril of expressing dissent under such a tyrannical government, illustrated by the anecdote of a dentist who had a patient for thirteen years, implying an environment where even long-standing relationships were vulnerable to the consequences of the oppressive regime.
• 03:30 - 04:00: German Society Under Nazi Rule The chapter 'German Society Under Nazi Rule' includes a narrative dialogue in which one individual cautiously discusses the state of Germany during the war. They reference the Führer’s daily bulletin, noting the warnings contained within it, the retreat of German troops from Stalingrad, and the constant bombing of cities by the English at night and by the Americans during the day. This suggests a sense of disturbance and tension within society at that time. Through this dialogue, the chapter explores the atmosphere of fear and caution experienced by individuals when discussing the war under Nazi rule.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Consequences of Speaking Against the Regime The chapter highlights the dangers of speaking out against a totalitarian regime. A character questions if their remarks were too much, only to be reassured that their leader is infallible and victory is certain. However, this blind allegiance leads to a betrayal, as the speaker's comment is reported to the Gestapo, resulting in a court trial. The narrative touches on the themes of propaganda, fear, and betrayal within the society. A dentist is accused of war sabotage and defeatism, further illustrating the regime's oppressive stance towards dissent.
• 04:30 - 05:00: The Dentist's Fate The chapter titled 'The Dentist's Fate' recounts the moment when a friend and the narrator are in the courtroom hearing the verdict. The accused has been found guilty and sentenced to death, seemingly for something he said. The situation underscores the severity of the punishment and the gravity of the charges.
• 05:00 - 05:30: Wolfram's Draft Notice The chapter titled 'Wolfram's Draft Notice' describes a pivotal moment in the narrator's life. The narrator reflects on a time when saying the wrong word could lead to dire consequences, hinting at a period of significant tension and danger. This is further underscored when, in November 1944, the narrator receives a draft notice for the Army, marking a turning point in their life.
• 05:30 - 06:00: The Crumbling of the Nazi Campaign The chapter, titled 'The Crumbling of the Nazi Campaign,' discusses the declining state of Hitler's military efforts during World War II. Wolfram is drafted at a time when the Nazi quest for global domination is failing. The German invasion of Russia is highlighted as a significant failure, contributing to the overall collapse. Meanwhile, British and American forces were successfully liberating European countries from Nazi control. In a desperate attempt to reverse these failures, Hitler devised a radical plan shortly before Christmas, signaling the dire state of the Nazi campaign.
• 06:00 - 06:30: The Battle of the Bulge The chapter titled 'The Battle of the Bulge' begins with an atmosphere of relative calm, as there are Christmas preparations underway. However, this is abruptly shattered when all activities are stopped due to a sudden German offensive in the Ardennes. This offensive is known as the Battle of the Bulge. Initially, it succeeds in pausing the Allied Forces' advance. The narration hints at the harsh winter conditions that played a significant role in the events that followed.
• 06:30 - 07:00: Wolfram's Illness and Recovery The chapter titled 'Wolfram's Illness and Recovery' depicts a harrowing period during a prolonged and brutal combat scenario, which stretched on for over a month. The German forces started to weaken as Allied reinforcements and supplies kept arriving. Amidst the battle, Wolfram, one of the characters, began experiencing severe neck pain which worsened into a fever and chills, rendering him unable to participate in the ongoing combat.
• 07:00 - 07:30: Facing the Front Lines Again The narrator discusses their experiences in combat and their inability to continue fighting at the front lines. With permission, they leave the front and are advised by a young doctor to catch a train heading west to Hamburg, where someone from the Army will escort them to a hospital.
• 07:30 - 08:00: The End of the War for Wolfram The chapter "The End of the War for Wolfram" describes the aftermath of a failed German offensive during World War II. As German forces lose control and retreat further into their own territory, Wolfram, a character in the story, faces uncertainty about his next assignment. He is caught in the dilemma of being reassigned either to the Western front to face American forces or to the more perilous Eastern front against the Russians. The narrative creates tension around his upcoming report to the German commandant in Berlin, where his fate will be decided.
• 08:00 - 08:30: Life After Capture In this chapter, the narrator recounts a pivotal moment in their life following capture during wartime. They vividly recall the uncertainty of their fate depending on whether they were sent east or west. Historically, being sent to the east implied a grim outcome, often with little chance of return. Fortunately, the narrator was sent to the west, specifically to a small town named Salzwedel, where they reported for duty on April 10th, 1945. The chapter captures the tension and relief experienced during this transition and the onset of a new chapter of their journey in the West.
• 08:30 - 09:00: News of Germany's Surrender In this chapter titled 'News of Germany's Surrender', the narrator speaks about the challenging approach to the main road leading from the Western Front to the town of Salzwedel. The narrative highlights the urgency as they attempted to evacuate civilians from a hospice in the town. The narrator recalls a specific moment during this approach when, amidst the conflict, they were unable to get up or stand due to the situation's intensity.
• 09:00 - 09:30: Post-War and Family Reunion The chapter reflects on the constant danger and tension experienced post-war, with vivid descriptions of being shot at and taking cover by digging deeper into the ground to avoid being hit. The experience highlights the persistent threat and need for survival tactics even after the official end of conflict. It underscores the human instinct to adapt and protect oneself amidst chaos. The narrative likely leads to a transition towards reunification with family, symbolizing a bridge between surviving war and resuming normalcy.
• 09:30 - 10:00: A New Life in America In this chapter, a person recounts a tense moment from their past, possibly in a wartime setting or during an occupation. As they experience a sudden silence and uncertainty about whether to move or not, they are startled by a voice commanding them to stand up. Upon looking up, they see three G.I.s pointing their rifles at them, creating a moment of intense tension. The narrator describes their decision to comply and rise in response to the soldiers' command. This marks a significant event, possibly a turning point, in their journey to a new life in America.
• 10:00 - 10:30: Reflections on War In the chapter titled 'Reflections on War', the narrator recounts a profound moment of realization and survival during a war. They describe how, at a certain point, they recognized themselves as a survivor, marking the end of the war for them personally. The next morning is vividly remembered, notably characterized by the overwhelming sound of hundreds of airplanes.

The German Perspective of WW2 | Memoirs Of WWII #49 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 So we received, then, some fire. I could  not get up. I could not stand up, because   always somebody was shot. And then,  after an unknown time… sudden silence.   And suddenly, a voice… “Hello,  boy! Get up, come here!”
• 00:30 - 01:00 And I look up, and there are three G.I.’s standing  in front of me, having their rifles aimed at me. Hey everyone, I’m Josh from Memoirs Of WWII.  And real quick, before we get into our veteran’s   story, I want to tell you about who we are and  how you can help with this project. Memoirs Of
• 01:00 - 01:30 WWII is an organization run by myself and my  family. We travel all over, interviewing the   last living veterans of the Second World War, and  sharing their stories in this series to ensure   that their service and this important history is  never forgotten. We are funded by donations from   people like you, both through Patreon where you  can choose what dollar amount you’d like to give,   and through our website. So, follow the links  in the description below and you can be part of   preserving this history. Thank you for your  support, and now on to our veteran’s story.
• 01:30 - 02:00 After having fought and suffered through  Germany’s devastating loss in World War I,   an Austrian-born politician named Adolf Hitler  rose through political turmoil to gain power and   bring the Nazi party into control by 1933. With a  goal of restoring Germany to glory, Hitler created   a new society ready for war, and German citizens  like Wolfram Forster prepared for a new era.
• 02:00 - 02:30 Because my father was in World War I, the things  he told me about were awful and horrible. When the   Nazis started the War, I could not equate the war  he talked about. I can remember the day that the   war began. The radio was on and it was Hitler  on the radio to say the Poles had attacked a
• 02:30 - 03:00 German radio station, and there was lots of  shooting. “And now, we are shooting back!” The supposed Polish attack on German territory  was nothing more than a ruse - an excuse for   Hitler’s forces to invade Poland  in his quest for global domination.   But France and Britain had been closely watching  Hitler’s increasingly aggressive behavior,   and warned him that an invasion of Poland would  lead to their declaration of war against Germany.
• 03:00 - 03:30 Hitler’s disregard of this warning lead  to the official outbreak of World War II. Eventually, the people of Germany not  only endured nightly bombing raids,   but the oppressive rule of a tyrannical leader  who demanded total and complete allegiance. Say the wrong word and you’re in big trouble.  A dentist had a patient for thirteen years.
• 03:30 - 04:00 She asked him what he thought about the war. He  didn’t say anything bad. He said, very cautiously,   “If you look at the Führer’s daily bulletin,  there’s this warning, there’s this warning.   There’s the news from Stalingrad: our troops are  retreating, and this and that. And every night   another city goes up in flames from the bombing.  The English by night and the Americans by daytime.   It’s disturbing, is it not?” And she gave him a  look, which he immediately caught. “Wait a minute.
• 04:00 - 04:30 Was it too much I said?” She said, “Yeah, but  don’t worry about it. Our Führer is the greatest.   He will save everything. We will win.” She went  to the Gestapo. He ended up in court. And one of   my classmates, we skipped one of our lessons when  we were in medical school, going into the court to   sit down out of curiosity. The dentist was accused  of sabotage of the war effort and defeatism.
• 04:30 - 05:00 “The accused has been found guilty  as charged. The penalty is death.”   There, my friend and I, we sat, hearing. This poor  guy is going to be killed because of what he said!
• 05:00 - 05:30 And that is an unforgettable moment in my  life. Say the wrong word and you’re dead.   Then, come November of ’44, I get a  draft notice to be taken into the Army.
• 05:30 - 06:00 By the time Wolfram was drafted, Hitler’s quest  for global domination had already begun to crumble   around him. The German foray into Russia had  proved to be a disaster, and in the West,   British and American forces were quickly loosening  his grip on Europe, one country at a time.   It was then that Hitler concocted a radical  plan to turn the war back in his favor. Shortly before Christmas, the company  commander wanted to have some people
• 06:00 - 06:30 who could sing practice some Christmas  songs for a little Christmas celebration.   And then, suddenly one day, “Stop everything!  Stop everything!” “Why?” “Well, everything   has been canceled because the German Army  started a new offensive in the Ardennes.” The German offensive, known  as the Battle of the Bulge,   initially succeeded in halting the advancing  Allied Forces. But the bitter cold of winter
• 06:30 - 07:00 and gruesome combat ensured a long, bloody  struggle that would continue for over a month.   Eventually, German forces began to wain as Allied  reinforcements and supplies continued to pour in. We were in combat relatively  short, and I started getting   pain in my neck. And the next day, it was so bad I  had fever, I had chills. I was out of commission,
• 07:00 - 07:30 being within combat. I was totally  unable to do that. So, with permission,   I did leave the front to walk. And a young doctor  there said, “The next train going west again will   take you to Hamburg. Somebody on the train  from the Army will take you to the hospital.”
• 07:30 - 08:00 With a failed offensive, German forces  no longer had control of the front lines,   being pushed further into  their homeland territory.   On the road to recovery, Wolfram faced  the reality of being put back in action.   Would he be sent to Western lines to face the  oncoming American forces, or the far more brutal   Eastern front to face the Russians, who held  virtually no compassion for captured enemies? I had to report to the German commandant  in Berlin. Do they send me to the East or
• 08:00 - 08:30 to the West? It was very clear if they send me to  the East, I probably would not come back. Well,   they sent me to the West. And there  was a little town called Salzwedel.   And I ended up there, reported for duty the 10th  of April, ’45. We were supposed to go and block
• 08:30 - 09:00 the approach to the main road, coming from the  Western Front to the town of Salzwedel to give   the town time enough to get as many civilians from  the hospice out of there. So we received, then,   some fire. And the one thing I remember is  I could not get up. I could not stand up,
• 09:00 - 09:30 because always somebody was shot.  Then, when I was lying down,   as soon as I raised my head to see  where am I, really, somebody shot at me.   They hit the ground, or a rock - I could see  stones hitting my helmet. So the best was,   you know, digging the ditch a little bit  deeper so my head wouldn’t stick out too much. And then, after an
• 09:30 - 10:00 unknown time… sudden silence. I wasn’t sure, could  I raise my head or not? I just thought I’d wait.   And suddenly, a voice… “Hello, boy! Get up, come  here!” And I look up, and there are three G.I.’s   standing in front of me, having their rifles aimed  at me. So, what do I do? I get up, and I do this.
• 10:00 - 10:30 And I’m not exaggerating or trying to make  a catchy story out of it. At that moment,   I knew - I realized - I’m a  survivor. For me, the war was over. The next morning - also unforgettable - the  drone of airplanes - hundreds of airplanes.
• 10:30 - 11:00 B-17’s and B-24’s in formation, going to Berlin.   The entire day, we were on the  road. They were taking us west.   If we came to a German town or a little village,  they stopped, and let the German population come   out and gave us whatever - a piece of bread  or a cigarette, or whatever. They were very
• 11:00 - 11:30 friendly. And then, to the next stop. We  were taken to a big, huge acreage field   with no trees, with no bush, with no building,  with nothing on it. And we started digging holes.   Then came one day, where the guards  outside were shooting their rifles.
• 11:30 - 12:00 “Oh my god, what is this shooting?!”  They shot in the air. And the cry...   the call… “It’s over! It’s over! It’s over!  The war is over! Germany has surrendered!” By the end of April, 1945, the Allies had  completely overrun Nazi Germany. With Russian   Forces right outside the door of his bunker, a  defeated Adolf Hitler took his own life. After six
• 12:00 - 12:30 long years, the war in Europe was finally over.  All that was left for Wolfram was to return home. My father had an old friend from World War I who  lived near Wiesbaden, in the mountains, that if   we survive - they survive and I survive - and we  do not know how to get together, this would be our   point to meet and get information. Until about  a month later, he comes back with an envelope
• 12:30 - 13:00 in his pocket, and says, “Here’s something  for you.” It was a letter from my mother. In 1946, Wolfram was finally  reunited with his family,   and began the slow return to  living in a world without war.
• 13:00 - 13:30 By the end of the 1950’s, Wolfram saw  his childhood dream of living in the   United States become a reality. He became  a doctor, and even served in the U.S. Army,   reaching the rank of Colonel. But to this  day, Wolfram continues to see events unfold   in the world around him that bring  back memories of war-torn Europe. Things which, today… what I see on television  every day, hits me in a way, because
• 13:30 - 14:00 what I see: the bombing, the destruction of the  houses, of the facilities, the people helpless…   I have been there. I have  lived that same way of living.   Seeing this on television right now, is  simply recalling unpleasant things of my past.
• 14:00 - 14:30 I’m not very happy to see the daily news that way.