War Diary of Soldier Lothar Gruber

The months of October to December

August 7 to October 26 The pages are torn out.

October 27
Everything is quiet. We are improving our bunker and making it quite cozy.

October 28
Everything is quiet today, too. We lined part of the bunker and built a stove.

October 29
Everything quiet,

October 30
Everything was quiet today. In the evening, I made myself a great goulash. Shortly after midnight, the Russians broke through on the right sector of our platoon's position. We suffered one fatality. They were driven back in a swift counterattack.

October 31
Everything was very quiet today. A reconnaissance patrol from our unit is out in the field. We received a visit from the battalion and regimental commanders. I conducted a practice alarm at midday.

November 1
Everything was quiet today. During the night, there was very lively rifle and machine-gun fire from our own side. Otherwise, nothing special.

November 2
Today, we were out on a reconnaissance patrol from 5:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. We did not spot anything unusual.

November 3
Everything was very quiet today. We received a new platoon leader.

November 4
Everything is quiet. Today we established more extensive security measures using minefields. To our south, there is intense aerial activity and artillery fire.

November 5
Everything was quiet today. We secured our minefields. Activity by our own reconnaissance troops. To our south, very intense aerial activity and heavy artillery fire.

November 6
Very quiet today as well. Some infantry fire towards evening. I am at the cinema. "Diesel"—heavy artillery fire and intense aerial activity to our south.

November 7
It is quite quiet today. Weapons inspection in the morning. A defector arrives to my right. There is a briefing. Heightened state of alert. We are due to come out on November 11. We are being relieved for a 10-day exercise.

November 8
Early today, I am out on a reconnaissance patrol with two men from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Russians are determined to take a prisoner here. Very lively infantry activity everywhere. There is a heightened state of alert. We have reinforced our sentry posts.

November 9
It was strikingly quiet today. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity. Nothing else new. All sorts of rumors are circulating about our relief. A leave ban is in effect for our Army Corps. Hopefully not for too long.

November 10
Early this morning, I am out on patrol again with two men. Considerable patrol activity on our side. Otherwise, only minor infantry and artillery activity. Tomorrow will very likely be our last day here in the position.

November 11
Everything is very quiet today. Our relief unit arrives this evening. Alarm! Intense infantry activity. We move out of the position around 10 o'clock.

November 12
We went to sleep in our new quarters at 2 o'clock. We are in Doppelname (lit. double name: Troitza Schawitza). We are getting settled and preparing for training.

November 13
We put in a strenuous day of duty today. Relocation in platoon formation.

November 14
Reveille at 4:30 a.m. No duty scheduled. Everything must be loaded by 9 a.m. We have a long march ahead. We are taking over a position at 10 p.m. It is a good position.

November 15
The night passed quietly. Nothing unusual happened during the day, either. We are tidying up our bunker. In the evening, I have to fill in for the platoon leader.

November 16
It was fairly quiet today. Occasional bursts of lively infantry fire. We aren't supposed to be here long, either. In the morning, I stood in for the platoon leader.

November 17
It was fairly quiet in our sector again today. Further to the left, there was brisk artillery activity. To the south, in the direction of Velikiye Suki, there was intense aerial activity.

November 18
Shortly after midnight, there was very heavy machine-gun and mortar fire directed at our position. The Russians had a shock troop to our right. Otherwise, everything was quiet.

November 19
Everything is quiet today. We are due to be relieved.

November 20
We moved out of position at 5 a.m. today. Marched to Bol Kamenka.

November 21
Today is Totensonntag [Memorial Sunday]. The morning was spent just repairing gear and cleaning weapons.

November 22
A lot of duty today. Major battalion exercise.

November 23
Company exercise.

November 24
Company exercise.

November 25
Company exercise. We are constantly out in the field.

November 26
Morning: Company exercise. Midday: Preparation for the comradeship evening. Evening: Comradeship evening. As of today, I am taking over the medium mortar—a heavy infantry weapon.

November 27
Today there was a major battalion roll call. We will soon be taking up a new position.

November 28
In the morning, the advance party leaves for (illegible, possibly: Owinovo or Awinovo).

November 29
Mortar training

November 30
Mortar training

December 1
Mortar training in the morning. In the evening, a movie at the regiment: "Maske in Blau." The film was very enjoyable.

December 2
Advance party: quarters in Doppelname ready.

December 3
Moving out to a new position. All quiet.

December 4
All quiet.

December 5
All quiet. In the morning, we zeroed in on the Russians.

December 6
All quiet. Constructing positions. In the evening, a practice alert at the battalion.

December 7
All quiet. We are constructing a new mortar position near the battalion HQ.

December 8
All quiet. Our own reconnaissance patrol in the evening. Firing position near the battalion HQ roughly completed.

December 9
Today we occupied our new firing position near the battalion command post. Everything was quite quiet. One mortar was zeroed in. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity. Lively artillery and air activity during the night.

December 10
Today we further improved the position and bunker and zeroed in the second mortar. Our own reconnaissance patrol in the evening. All quiet during the day.

December 11
Registration fire in front of the company sector. All quiet. Minimal artillery
activity. Friendly reconnaissance patrol activity.

December 12
Today we visited the baggage train and received winter clothing.
At midday, we conducted registration fire in front of the unit on our right. Friendly reconnaissance patrol activity.

December 13
Morning: Training on the medium mortar (Lt. Deutschmann). Midday:
Registration fire on target areas. Friendly reconnaissance and
assault patrol activity. Result: 1 prisoner.

December 14
Morning: Registration of target areas in front of the 5th Company. All quiet. Minimal artillery activity.

December 15
Training on the medium mortar; checking a firing position. All fairly quiet. Lively artillery activity.

December 16
All quiet. Training in the morning.

December 17
All quiet; morning training on the medium mortar. Lively artillery activity in the evening. Our own reconnaissance patrol activity.

December 18
All quiet. Increased artillery activity in the evening. I am serving as a substitute with the company at the front.

December 19
All quiet

December 20
All quiet

December 21
All quiet

December 22
All quiet. Today I attended the field service.

December 23
All quiet. We are sprucing up our bunker.

December 24
Everything was quiet today. We spent a few lovely, happy hours.

December 25
All fairly quiet. Only minor artillery and infantry activity.

December 26
Everything fairly quiet. Towards evening, somewhat livelier infantry and artillery
activity. Nothing special.

December 27
Fairly quiet. Slight infantry and artillery activity.

December 28
Everything quiet.

December 29
Everything quiet.

December 30
Everything quiet.

December 31
Lively artillery activity. Otherwise, everything quiet.