Eastern Front in December 1943
In December, Gruber rejoined his unit as a non-commissioned officer; they were stationed near a location known in soldiers’ slang as "Doppelname" (lit. "Double Name")—a place Gruber later identified as "Troitza Schawitza." Pictured here are two comrades from his mortar squad; one is holding the puppy "Freia," whom Gruber would later lose during the retreat. He had managed to keep the beloved dog despite the ban. Gruber had kept animals in his frontline bunkers on several occasions, including a few cats.
Translated with Google.
