A soldier’s diary called, “Merkbuch 1942”, contains a lot of personal notes from a soldier named Ernst, a Wehrmacht corporal, stationed in France and Russia during 1942/43. His notes mostly contain entries about sending and receiving packages and letters, but on same pages he is telling something about being attacked by Russians, the date he got wounded and much more….Scans are marked from 1 till 7 with english translation:
1.On the night of 17 to 18.3, we are heavily bombarded by the Russians, which lasted 3 hours from 2 to 5 am. Then the attack comes … 20/04/42 a full Division 106. After France)
On 26/04/42 at 13 I.G. Company I.R. (Infantry Regiment) 347.
A development starts on 4.5. (and it) lasts until 31.05.42.
At 9.5 it was called off. On the night of 17 to 18.3, we are heavily bombarded by the Russians, which lasted 3 hours from 2 to 5 am.
Then the attack comes … 20/04/42 is loaded Division 106.
Afterwards the 26/04/42 at 13 I.G. Company I.R. (Infantry Regiment) 347, makes a course with ….. development starts on 4.5, lasts until 31.05.42 . At 9.5, it was called off.
Division is somewhere else.
New requests….. On 30.5, I get the first post.
5 packets of France 3 on 25756th The 31 again 9 parcels 25756 …. At 02:07 . and 03:07.
Aviators and tank attack 9am. (5Km before ???) According Wehrmachtsbereicht 30,000 prisoners.
Base K. Another new (attack?)…. 7/16/42 Russians from 3-sides. Position … A patrol of the Russians are attacking.
On 17/07/42 we have a wounded
On 20.8. Russians at harvest were shot by partisans.
2.Since the 16/07/42 we are involved in the encirclement of Smolensk -….
On 09/22/42 Strong Enemy forces are approaching from the east 4 B. R. going on at 18:10. Russian attack 3-hours. Fire …. Obtaining new command post (at) cemetery.
3.Bombardment by the Russians
4.Attack goes from 2am till 5 am.Standing post at the Machine Gun Nest
- 5.Russians invaded two villages
- 6.Russians flee from fight
- 7.The encirclement begins, our troops attack from the south
