War Diary of Soldier Lothar Gruber

The months of January to March

January 1
Nothing special to report. It was very quiet. Some snow fell during the night. It is not cold. I am writing this in the afternoon. In the evening, we play chess. [I have been detached with Alfred Aldinger to the 5th Company for radio duty. We are stationed at the "Osnabrück" strongpoint, quartered in the forward observer bunker.]

January 2
Fairly quiet. Reconnaissance patrol activity. We fetch wood in the morning. I am doing a lot of reading during this time. We are scheduled to move tomorrow morning. The company command post is being relocated. In the evening, some scattered rifle and machine-gun fire.

January 3
In the morning, we relocate to Strongpoint "Remscheid," about 2 km to the left. Otherwise, it is quite quiet. Only minor artillery, infantry, and reconnaissance patrol activity. We are positioned alongside Group "Hell."

January 4
It is very quiet all day. There is a very strong gale. The weather has thawed slightly. Today, the battalion command post was moved to Strongpoint "Wiesbaden." We are conducting our own reconnaissance patrols. A major shock-troop operation is scheduled to launch in the coming days.

January 5
Our own reconnaissance patrols and artillery activity. Otherwise fairly quiet. I visited the battalion this morning. I might still get to attend that training course after all. A great many APCs are being installed. We are maintaining radio contact until 11 p.m. A major operation of ours is launching tomorrow morning. Regiment 270 is to attack on the right.

January 6
At 7:30 a.m., a heavy barrage from all heavy weapons begins. The Russians are suffering heavy losses; we ourselves have no casualties. The assault squad successfully accomplished its mission. In the afternoon, we go out on a reconnaissance patrol. Otherwise, everything is quiet. We are heading out again tomorrow morning.
1st Reconnaissance Patrol

January 7
Morning: Reconnaissance patrol made contact with the enemy. The Russians tried to overrun us but failed. After a fierce firefight, they withdrew. No casualties, apart from a few wounded. Quiet afternoon and evening.
2nd reconnaissance patrol

January 8
It is very quiet today. We conducted our own reconnaissance patrols. The Russians are celebrating; they are heavily intoxicated. Otherwise, nothing new to report. I visited the battalion today and exchanged my radio. We played chess in the evening.

January 9
It is very quiet today. Hardly a shot is fired all day long. We have plenty of free time today. We are chopping wood and making our bunker a bit more livable. It is actually quite comfortable to live in now. In the evening, I write and play chess.

January 10
Today is Sunday. It is very quiet. There is minimal infantry and artillery activity in the neighboring sectors to the right and left. We play chess and cards. In the evening, I stand trench guard. It is not very cold.

January 11
Nothing at all is happening today. It can stay like this for a while.

January 12
Quite quiet in front of our sector. Only sporadic infantry activity. I visited the battalion this morning. There is a beautiful layer of frost.

January 13
I set out on a reconnaissance patrol at 4 a.m. We run into bad luck. With a group of about 15 men, we run straight into a force of about 60 Russians. A fierce fight ensues, but we emerge victorious and put the Russians to flight. Unfortunately, we suffered 3 fatalities.
3rd Reconnaissance Patrol

January 14
It is very quiet today. I managed to get a really good night's sleep for a change. I’ve just got up for lunch. Tomorrow I have to attend the court-martial of a non-commissioned officer charged with cowardice in the face of the enemy.

January 15
We were supposed to be near Warsaw today, but nothing is coming of that for the time being. It was a very restless night. Everything was quiet during the day. I am appearing before the court for the first time. The court-martial is convening at the battalion command post. I am being questioned as a witness. Outcome: two NCOs are sentenced to two years in prison and reduction in rank.

January 16
In the morning, I go with a liaison patrol to the 6th Company. Otherwise, everything is quiet. Only minor infantry activity. The position is being further fortified.
4th Patrol

January 17
We head back to the supply train for delousing. The walk takes about 1½ hours. We are back by evening. Everything is quiet.

January 18
There is a weapons inspection this morning. Otherwise, nothing is going on. It is quiet all day. In the evening, there is light mortar fire.

January 19
It is very quiet today. Minimal infantry activity. Our own scout patrols are active.

January 20
Nothing unusual is happening today either. In front of the right-hand strongpoint, our combat engineers eliminate a Russian listening post and blow up the bunker. Otherwise, all is quiet. Engineers are laying a minefield.

January 21
It is very quiet today. Our combat engineers are sawing clearings for machine-gun fire. The position is being continuously improved. I am at the battalion HQ during the morning.

January 22
Apart from our own artillery activity, there was only minor reconnaissance patrol activity. The Russians attempted to probe forward with a patrol but were driven back beforehand, suffering losses.

January 23
All quiet in front of the company sector; somewhat more lively infantry activity in front of our 8th Company's sector. Heavier artillery activity on our side. Otherwise, nothing special.

January 24
It is Sunday again today. Everything is quiet. Only our own reconnaissance patrol activity. It is a great Sunday. A wallet went missing in our bunker. Our belongings were searched throughout the afternoon and evening. It was never found. I am curious to see what comes of this.

January 25
It is quiet today. Only minor infantry activity. Our aircraft are dropping many leaflets. At night, I am out fixing a fault. There is a short circuit in the line.

January 26
Again, only minor infantry and artillery activity today. Otherwise, everything is quiet.

January 27
Everything is quiet today as well. Nothing out of the ordinary is happening. I am at the battalion HQ in the morning. Our positions are being further reinforced. The Remscheid strongpoint is manned at only one-fifth strength.

January 28
Nothing at all is happening today. All quiet.

January 29
Nothing special today, either.

January 30
All quiet. Nothing special. A terrific snowstorm.

January 31
Today is a quiet Sunday. The snowstorm continues. Otherwise, nothing new. Minimal artillery and infantry activity.

February 1
It is quite quiet today, too. The position is being further expanded and reinforced. I am with the battalion and skiing. In the afternoon, two girls and their father from Vienna visit us; they play the zither and violin and sing songs.

February 2
Somewhat livelier infantry and artillery activity today. Otherwise nothing new. I am with the battalion and am skiing.

February 3
Brisk infantry activity, slight artillery activity. Today is the last day of my second year of service. Lambert Höning is back here as a lieutenant.

February 4
[request 300 Marks today for reenlistment]
A soldier for 2 years. Now there are 10 years left until discharge.
Quite quiet today. Only slight infantry and artillery activity. I am skiing. I am with the battalion. My third year of service has now begun.

February 5
It is quite quiet today. Our own scouting patrols are active. Minimal infantry activity. We are in high spirits together this evening.

February 6
Very quiet today as well. I am with the battalion and am skiing.

February 7
Today was a quiet Sunday, though very stormy. I am with the battalion commander. The scouting patrol with Lt. Laus does not count as close-quarters combat.

February 8
It is quiet today, too. I am visiting the battalion on skis. Otherwise, nothing new.

February 9
No significant incidents today, either. Everything is quiet. I have to go to the battalion late in the evening.

February 10
It is fairly quiet in our sector today as well. To our right, there is heavy artillery fire and intense aerial activity all day long. I am at the battalion in the morning. I picked up a service watch today.

February 11
The Russians are a bit more active today. They are zeroing in on the "Strassburg" strongpoint with heavy mortars. Otherwise, it is fairly quiet. I am at the battalion HQ during the morning.

February 12
It is fairly quiet today. Increased artillery activity on our side. In the evening, the combat engineers lay mines in the area in front of our lines.

February 13
It is fairly quiet. Minimal artillery and infantry activity. An alert is sounded in the evening. A Russian reconnaissance patrol was wiped out.

February 14
Today is a restless Sunday. Heavy infantry fire, especially in the afternoon. Lively artillery activity on both sides. I am with the battalion in the morning.

February 15
Today, somewhat livelier infantry activity on both sides and heavier artillery activity on our part. Reconnaissance patrol activity by our troops. I am with the battalion.

February 16
Things are a bit livelier today. Active infantry engagement. Replacements arrive again at midday. I visited the battalion to see Lt. Stolzenberg.

February 17
Fairly quiet. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity; otherwise nothing special.

February 18
Only minor infantry activity. Otherwise, everything very quiet.

February 19
Very brisk aerial activity. Our own artillery and infantry activity. Otherwise fairly quiet.

February 20
Lively artillery and infantry activity today. Russian bunkers shelled by artillery, anti-tank guns, machine guns, and mortars. I am at the battalion [HQ] in the afternoon. Very brisk aerial activity. Our own combat aircraft are bombing Russian positions and troops advancing east of Kholm.

February 21
Things are a bit quieter today. The Russians are advancing with strong formations (including motorized and armored brigades). They are expected to attack here.

February 22
It remains relatively quiet today as well. Our own reconnaissance patrols are active. There is very heavy traffic on our supply route.

February 23
It is fairly quiet throughout the day. By evening, there is a heightened state of alert. The Russians intend to attack at dawn. Two of our own divisions are on the way. We will give the Russians a fitting reception. The situation is serious, but we are all in good spirits.

February 24
Active operations by our own artillery and infantry today; one of our long-range reconnaissance patrols is out in the field. The Russians did not attack our sector, but they did attack at Kholm and at Doppelname. It is a very restless night.

February 25
Things are quite lively today. Active operations by our own infantry and artillery. Another of our long-range reconnaissance patrols is out. The Russians have broken through at Doppelname with tanks. Our supply route is threatened. Armored units and two infantry divisions are on their way to us. Hopefully, they will arrive in time.

February 26
Active infantry and artillery operations on both sides. Our 7th Company is launching a counterattack at Doppelname this morning. Our own reconnaissance patrols are active.

February 27
Today, activity is very intense along the entire divisional front. The Russians were repulsed at Doppelname. They are continuing heavy attacks and suffering high casualties. Increased artillery activity. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity.

February 28
Today is very quiet. The Russians appear to have abandoned their plans to attack. Only very sporadic artillery and infantry activity. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity.

March 1
Promoted to *Oberschütze* a year ago.
Sporadically brisk infantry and artillery activity. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity.

March 2
Isolated infantry and artillery activity. Otherwise fairly quiet.

March 3
Today, only sporadic flare-ups of infantry and artillery fire.
Otherwise quiet.

March 4
Somewhat brisker infantry and artillery activity again in the direction of Kholm;
very heavy aerial activity. Otherwise nothing of note happening.

March 5
It is very quiet today. Only minor infantry and artillery activity.
Otherwise all quiet. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity.

March 6
Increased infantry and artillery activity again today. No particular incidents.

March 7
It is quite lively today as well. Brisk infantry activity on both sides, along with our own artillery and reconnaissance patrol activity. Otherwise, nothing new or out of the ordinary.

March 8
It is quite quiet again today. Only minor infantry activity.

March 9
It is fairly quiet today. Minimal infantry, artillery, and aerial activity. The 5th Company is scheduled to capture the left bunker group near the B-ride over the next few days. I am visiting the battalion headquarters this evening.

March 10
Everything is quite quiet in the company sector. Only very minor infantry activity. Our own patrols are active.

March 11
It is quite quiet. Only minor infantry activity. I am at battalion HQ.

March 12
Very quiet again. Just the occasional rifle shot or a few bursts of machine-gun fire. Somewhat livelier activity from our own reconnaissance aircraft.

March 13
Quite quiet. Somewhat livelier artillery activity in the neighboring sector to the left. Active reconnaissance flights by our own aircraft. I am at battalion HQ. NCO Franz claims I was promoted to NCO on March 1st.

March 14
Everything is quiet today.

March 15
Everything is quiet today as well. Heavy enemy artillery fire on the left flank of the battalion sector. I learned today that I should have been promoted to *Unteroffizier* as of February 1, 1943, but Lt. Stolzenberg refused (revenge!)

March 16
It is very quiet here today. I was at battalion headquarters again this morning.

March 17
It is very quiet again today. The weather is magnificent. I spent the morning at the battalion and saw Lt. Stolzenberg. I am to attend a field NCO training course in Pskov once again. I am curious to see what comes of it this time.

March 18
It was quiet again today. It was a big day for me: I was promoted to *Unteroffizier* (NCO), effective March 1, 1943.

March 19
Everything is quite quiet today. I am at the battalion at midday. In the evening, we have training for junior leaders. Topic: Organization and leadership of reconnaissance patrols.

March 20
I am with the battalion for most of the day. Everything is quiet. Instruction in the evening: "The USA." I am spending the night with the battalion. We celebrated quite a bit.

March 21
In the morning, heavy friendly artillery fire in front of the unit on our left. A French 15.5 cm battery is ranging in on our position. I spend half the day with the battalion. The weather is magnificent.

March 22
Generally very quiet. Brief, intense bursts of friendly artillery fire. In the evening, one of our own reconnaissance patrols comes under fire. I am with the battalion in the afternoon. In the morning, we conduct MG training.

March 23
It is quite lively all day today. The Russians attempted an advance but were repulsed. In the evening, they tried again but were driven off before they could even get a shot off. I spoke with Lt. Höning today.

March 24
It is very quiet today. Lt. Lambert Höning visited me in the morning, and I went with him to the battalion. At midday, I walked through the positions. Towards evening, there was increased activity from our own artillery and reconnaissance patrols. We are getting a new adjutant today.

March 25
It is fairly quiet throughout the day. Towards evening, infantry activity picked up again.

March 26
It was quite quiet today. Somewhat livelier infantry activity towards evening. Otherwise, all is well. I am at the battalion at midday. Today I receive word that I am not going to the training course.

March 27
Everything is quiet today. In the evening, we have instruction on price and wage freezes, currency, and foreign exchange.

March 28
Nothing unusual to report.

March 29
Everything is quiet today. There is nothing unusual to report.

March 30
Generally quite quiet. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity in the morning. Otherwise nothing special. We have miserable, rainy weather. In the afternoon, I am at the battalion.

March 31
It was quite quiet again today. Heavy enemy artillery fire is falling on the sector of the unit to our right. Sporadic infantry activity towards evening.