(see title page montage)
Gruppenführer Kraft, the leader of the SA Group Neckar, assures a white-haired marksman, who frequently asks when he can shoot again, that he will soon have another opportunity to demonstrate his determination to defend. The shooting practice is a testament to the unwavering fighting resolve and belief in victory of our people in the 5th year of the war. Homeland and front form an unbreakable, resolute defense community that is willing to fight until the enemy is defeated.
The Nazi busybodies get quietly
A somewhat anxious feeling
And now they mobilize the elderly dodderers,
Even for the swastika.
Seasonable, it’s called: Better late than never,
Even if you’re at your last breath,
And if you‘re a veteran of [18]70,
Just give it a try, maybe it will work!
The age limit is forgotten,
Even if you’re Methuselah,
And even if you count 100 years,
In Hitler‘s swastika system
Now they activate the last reserves
For the final fight to the death,
And aged men without vitality
Are being pressed to do so,
To become a soldier once more
For the beloved German homeland,
Despite old-age weakness and complaints,
Today, they let themselve recruit
For Adolf Hitler with heart and hand
As the very last contingent,
And want to lead the war to an end,
Loyal to the Führer until death.
And if you reluctantly follow the call,
Then there’s only one thing, namely compulsion,
That’s more than just and equitable,
To the standard of the Third Reich.
So today you see some old fogies,
Also in the gray “honor” attire,
He stands brave and very valiant,
Despite his long-lost youth.
He has very little mind
To go to the field again,
And his appearance at the front
Is very unimpressive and not nice.
His posture is quite feeble,
And extremely un-soldierly,
And many find the arrangement
Quite ridiculous and rather grotesque.
He stands, when shots will be fired,
Certainly his ground,
When others shoot, he’ll shoot too,
Do not doubt it!
But other anxious doubts burn,
And churn within my chest:
Will he be able to run as well??
I really would like to know.
The old marksmen are pleased to be able to participate as well. Many of them are ambitious to stay defencive in spite of their old age.
The very last contingent
Post-Editing: Kurt Gerhard Funke
Did you notice an error in this transcription or translation, and would you like to send us a corrected version? Or have you created a lyrical translation that captures rhyme and rhythm of the original? Please feel free to send us your version. We appreciate voluntary support for this memorial project, and we regularly review the messages we receive.