05-27-1944, 2nd volume, no. 22, Page 14
05-27-1944, 2nd volume, no. 22, Page 15
05-27-1944, 2nd volume, no. 22, Page 16

cover / introduction table of contents

Nazi Twilight

The Crimea in German hands means an invaluable advantage as a springboard for a turning point in the course of operations in the East. – 21/3 44

After the evacuation of Odessa by the Germans, the position of the Romanian and German divisions on the Crimea became more difficult, and the Red Army leadership took advantage of this to launch a major offensive, in which, unlike before, operations are not only conducted on the Kertsch Peninsula but also on the Perekop Isthmus and the bridgehead of Sjiwass. – 13/4 44

If Moscow is to believed, the Red troops‘ conquest of the Crimea is a piece of cake. According to the reports sent out by Stalin, the resistance of the German troops collapses very quickly, and the occupation of the entire peninsula is now just a small matter. In Berlin, they predict that this Red expectation will be disappointed, although they concede that the significance of the peninsula has, of course, diminished with the arrival of Soviet troops. – 15/4 44

The swift Red advance briefly created a critical situation, but the German-Romanian troops were able to concentrate in time around Sevastopol. Whether and for how long Sevastopol will be held depends on strategic necessities and possibilities. – 19-4-44

It remains to be seen whether the Bolsheviks will succeed in capturing Sevastopol in the foreseeable future. This is not ruled out, as no one knows if the German military leadership still attaches any value to the possession of the city. – 9-5-44

Führer’s Headquarters, May 10 (D.N.B.) – The Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht announces: As part of our distancing movements, the ruins of the city of Sevastopol have been vacated. Reports from Tokyo admit that the loss of Hollandia is a serious setback. The Allies now control the Bismarck Archipelago by sea and air. Furthermore, Hollandia is a very useful air base for attacks on the Philippines. Between Madang and Hollandia, about 60,000 Japanese soldiers have been isolated. Further east on New Guinea and in the Bismarck Archipelago, an estimated 80,000 Japanese soldiers are cut off and under the control of the overwhelming force of allied naval and air forces. – April 29, 1944

The American fleet seems to be mobilizing all its forces to further develop operations in the Pacific Ocean, as evidenced by the attack on Sabang. Japan is just waiting, the spokesperson says, for the enemy to be blinded by the apparent initial successes and to move deeper into the trap that has been set for him. – May 3, 1944

In front of the Soviets’ gun barrels
Simserimsimsimsimsim
Today, many strongholds are lost,
Now you have lost the Crimea too

Which was considered a springboard,
Was swiftly evacuated,
Mentally, you feel a chill,
Many dreams are shattered.

Never will you see the Caucasus
And the Volga again,
Your yellow friend in Asia
Seems to be doing poorly as well.

Same brothers, same epaulettes,
Same plans, same goal,
And today, it’s the same defeats,
And the same tragedy.

New Guinea, the Kerch Strait,
And now also Sevastopol,
Everywhere there is heavy fighting today,
And you do not feel quite well.

Whoever laughs last, laughs best,
Take comfort in the DNB,
But in the end, in the West,
You will certainly suffer the greatest pain.

Yes, in the West and the East,
And the North and the South,
Today, you’re still on duty,
But with anxious minds.

Because the view is very dark,
Today from the German watchtower,
Now and then, one hears whispers
About “the calm before the storm”.

And the Nazis tremble,
And the Nazis are horrified
By the approaching thunderstorms,
Because they know it’s over.

Joyful and unbroken sounds
The rooster’s crow of the near future:
Hitler’s verdict has been pronounced,
And the world will be free again!

Post-Editing: Eleonore A. Speckens