Military history WikiProject Distinguished Service Award |
K.e.coffman |
Editor of the Week for the week beginning November 11, 2018 |
K.e.coffman's superlative contributions to military history have made a most significant impact on the project's content. They work continuously removing neo-Nazi apologia from multiple articles. K.e.coffman is the editor most largely responsible for tackling the Clean Wehrmacht myth to the extent that it has impacted articles. Note this essay, in which they cogently outlined the problem and how to deal with it |
Recognized for |
Tireless efforts at Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history |
Notable work(s) |
A multitude of World War II History articles and related topics |
Submit a nomination |
I'm interested in the history of World War II and related topics. Some of the articles I am contributing (or have contributed) to include, in no particular order:
An honorable mention in the Military History Newcomer of the Year 2015 vote:
The WikiProject Barnstar | ||
For "diligence and work on checking into unsourced claims and non-NPOV language of World War II and Waffen-SS related articles," I have the honor of awarding you this WikiProject Barnstar as an honorable mention in the Military History Newcomer of the Year 2015 vote. For the Military history WikiProject, TomStar81 ( Talk) 02:33, 22 December 2015 (UTC) |
Military history reviewers' award | ||
On behalf of the Milhist coordinators, you are hereby awarded the Milhist reviewing award (1 stripe) for reviewing a total of 1 Milhist article during the period April to June 2016.
Peacemaker67 (
click to talk to me) 02:31, 23 July 2016 (UTC) Keep track of upcoming reviews. Just copy and paste |
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar | ||
For your efforts during March Madness 2017, I hereby award you this barnstar. Thank you for your contributions. Regards, AustralianRupert ( talk) 08:58, 2 April 2017 (UTC) |
GoldenWiki Award. Your work is pure gold! Congratulations on your amazing diligence, intelligence and above all superlative research and wide backround reading. In honor of all your efforts and in recognition of your contributions to worldwide scholarship that your work on Wikipedia reflects it is my honor to present you with this Goldenwiki award. Mazel Tov ! IZAK ( talk) 09:13, 23 November 2021 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar | ||
Nice work, both with Rommel myth and Waffen-SS in popular culture MainlyTwelve ( talk) 04:59, 17 April 2016 (UTC) |
Your Milhist work is really impressive, especially Rommel myth. Keep up the good work! GAB Hello! 23:39, 2 May 2016 (UTC) |
The WikiChevrons | ||
I believe a massive congratulations are in order for your nearly single-handed efforts to create the Rommel myth article. I am so incredibly happy to see that verdammt "humanitarianism" section eliminated from his article. Keep up the good work correcting the Nazi romancer bias! — Noha307 ( talk) 17:28, 20 April 2016 (UTC) |
The Desert Fox
Thank you for quality articles such as HIAG, Waffen-SS in popular culture and Rommel: The Desert Fox, for uploading book covers and other images, for diligent reviewing, for fighting unsourced facts and POV, and for "I enjoy contributing and engaging with other editors", --- Gerda Arendt ( talk) 06:25, 29 June 2016 (UTC) you are an awesome Wikipedian!
The Editor's Barnstar | |
Your comments on the Afd desk are quite insightful, and the amount of research you do to support your comments is commen(t)dable! Great work. Good job! Lourdes 03:57, 6 September 2016 (UTC) |
The Barnstar of Diligence | |
For your ongoing efforts in employing academic rigor to validate Wikipedia pages related to WW2. It is appreciated by many more people than you realize. Obenritter ( talk) 21:28, 10 December 2016 (UTC) |
The Barnstar of Diligence | |
For removing alternate history. scope_creep ( talk) 10:21, 17 October 2017 (UTC) |
The BLP Barnstar | ||
For your edits on Ahed Tamimi, Thanks! Huldra ( talk) 22:08, 3 March 2018 (UTC) |
German Barnstar of National Merit | |
On behalf of WikiProject Germany, I want to award you this for your immense work in Nazi Germany, namely the preservation of truth and Wikipedia guidelines. Wear it with pride! ...Somewhere on your humongous userpage, anyhow. Vami _IV✠ 05:59, 16 May 2018 (UTC) |
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar | |
For excellent work in going above and beyond to preserve simple military facts. scope_creep ( talk) 13:26, 6 May 2018 (UTC) |
...I just spent half an hour browsing your user page. In the past I had been bothered by how WWII articles seemed to praise the German side, for skill, valor, etc, etc, but I had no idea of the extent. I am utterly impressed, and I thank you for improving Wikipedia. Jd2718 ( talk) 23:35, 4 March 2017 (UTC) (Copied from my Talk page: Permalink.)
This is just a portion of what other editors and I have encountered and fixed so far; the list would be far too long to enumerate everything. Click on the diff to see the '"Before and After" text:
Deserves its own subsection:
The tradition continues (though with an edelweiss pin of different design) among current Gebirgsjäger-qualified personnel in the Bundeswehr (common German military soldiers wear a beret rather than the Bergmütze mountain cap used by mountain, ski, and Jäger units). Mountain troops' uniform jackets also bear an edelweiss emblem ovoid sleeve patch.
In Wehrmacht mountain troops badge.
Deserves its own subsection:
Deserves its own area, as this is quite a common occurrence that the lead would focus on minor details and omit what the subject is notable for:
"The German bomber pilot only ever hit military targets while the Allied "terrorists" only ever hit churches, hospitals and orphanages"( diff). This proof of this (aka the truth) lives on in Wikipedia. In Siegfried Barth.
German: Opfer der Geschichte Abzeichen:
Closely related to the above, this section focuses on the implementation of unfair and uncalled-for victor's justice:
I'm going to start collecting nicknames of various military figures, as this appears to be a theme.
Jewish welcoming banner for the Soviet forces invading Poland. In the background the Catholic Church of St. Roch in Białystok (Soviet photo). Actual scene: "Yiddish election notice to the People's council of Western Belarus, Białystok". Took two tries to get there: part 1; part 2. The image was removed altogether in 2020; edit summary: "it is never explained how the image is relevant or contributes to understanding the article subject". In Białystok Ghetto. Also qualifies under #Alternate timeline, as the image was misdated by two years, 1939 (presumably) vs 1941.
Starting a new section with examples of Waffen-SS (and even SS) being "the fourth branch of the Wehrmacht":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
1 October 1944 (addendum) | Bei der Niederwerfung des Aufstandes in Warschau haben sich die im Verband des SS-Obergruppenführers und General der Polizei von Bach unter Führung des Generalmajors Rohr kämpfenden Verbände des Heeres, der Waffen-SS und der Luftwaffe durch Härte und kühnes Draufgängertum besonders ausgezeichnet. [1] | During the suppression of the uprising in Warsaw, fighting forces of the Army, the Waffen-SS and the Luftwaffe under the command of SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Police von Bach under the leadership of Major General Rohr have particularly distinguished themselves by showing toughness and audacious recklessness. |
References
Taking the lead from Jonathan House's lecture on the mythology of the Eastern Front. House is David Glantz's co-author on When Titans Clashed: "The Three Alibis"
Another favorite alibi of the former Wehrmacht generals; to quote Friedrich von Mellenthin, these waves "eventually submerged the superior Wehrmacht, like the stones in the ocean" (or something to this effect)
See: " The 'I Was Not a Nazi' Polka" by The Chad Mitchell Trio:
That's a catch-all section for a variety of totemic symbols that often fill articles to the brim, with foreign language unit names, unnecessary translations, and visual depictions of much intricate detail.
This deserves its own subsection:
Appropriate quote from The Myth of the Eastern Front: "Little if any sentiment has been extended [by the Americans] to the families of the 8 million Red Army soldiers who died fighting the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS, or the 22 million civilians killed by these military organizations and the killing squads, the Einsatzgruppen", that worked closely with the army formations. "With a forty-year head start", the predominance of the German account "hardly remains a mystery".
Battle of the Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket seems to have the higher proportion of "selective empathy" than most:
Starting a new section as a reflection of WP:MEMORIAL, in a literal sense:
Hauptmann | Hauptmann | |
Hans-Joachim Marseille | Hans-Joachim Marseille | |
Inh. d. Eichenlaubs m. Schwertern | Recipient of the Oak Leaves with Swords | |
u. Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz | and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross | |
Der höchsten Ital. Tapferkeitsmedaille | The highest Italian Medal of bravery | |
in Gold u.a. Auszeichnungen | in Gold and other Awards | |
Geb. 13 December 1919 gef. i. Derna i. Afrika 30 September 1942 | Born 13 December 1919 killed in Derna in Africa 30 September 1942 |
References
Starting a section for capturing the moments of glorification of military violences:
This section is quite large due to the amount of effort that was involved around the Wehrmachtbericht transcripts (OKW press releases).
To illustrate the scope of the project, I did the following, starting soon from the time I joined MILHIST (Nov 2015):
In this case [the transcript] may have included euphemisms for criminal actions, but it may equally have been referring to bravery in combat against armed fighters of the Home Army) emphasis mine; pls see, for example: Wola massacre;
[Name redacted], (...) repeatedly restoring the content that two different established users took out and calling their edits vandalism to boot is definitely a no-no. So be warned that a block might be looming if you insist in continuing your behaviour;
These have already been removed from articles and are being preserved here for archival purposes.
"Endless waves of tanks and men" & "Asiatic hordes" (see Panzerschlachten):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
29 November 1944 | Deutsche Truppen haben zusammen mit den verbündeten ungarischen Streitkräften unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Frießner seit dem 29. Oktober dem fast ununterbrochenen Ansturm von 61 Divisionen und 7 Panzerkorps der Bolschewisten und Rumänen standgehalten. [1] | German forces together with the allied Hungarian armed forces under the command of Colonel General Friessner have since 29 October withstood the almost continuous onslaught of 61 divisions and 7 armored corps of the Bolsheviks and Romanians. |
Destroyed "1,754 tanks" and won a "full defensive victory":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
18 February 1944 | In den schweren Kämpfen im Raum von Nikopol haben ostmärkische, bayerische, rheinisch-westfälische, sächsische, mecklenburgische, pommersche und ostpreußische Division unter dem Befehl des Generals der Gebirgstruppen Schörner und der Generale Brandenberger, Mieth und Kreysing in der Zeit vom 5. November 1943 bis 15 Februar 1944 in Angriff und Abwehr starke Durchbruchsversuche der Bolschewisten mit blanker Waffe verhindert und ihnen hohe Verluste zugefügt. Dabei wurden 1754 Panzer, 533 Geschütze, zahlreiche andere Waffen und sonstiges Kriegsgerät erbeutet oder vernichtet und 56 feindliche Flugzeuge durch Infanteriewaffen abgeschossen.}} [2] | During heavy fighting in the area of Nikopol, between 5 November 1943 and 15 February 1944, the divisons from Ostmark, Bavaria, Rhineland-Westphalia, Saxony, Mecklenburg, Pomerania and East Prussia, under the command of Mountain Troops General Schörner and generals Brandenberger, Mieth and Kreysing, with offensive and defensive actions, prevented strong Bolshevik attempts to break through with blank cartridges, and inflicted heavy losses upon them. Thereby 1754 tanks, 533 artillery pieces, numerous other weapons and war material were captured or destroyed, and 56 enemy aircraft were shot down by infantry weapons. |
30 November 1944 | In der zweiten Abwehrschlacht in Kurland haben die unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Schörner kämpfenden Verbände des Heeres und germanischer Freiwilliger der Waffen-SS wiederum einen vollen Abwehrsieg errungen. [3] | In the second defensive battle in Courland, units of the army and Germanic volunteers of the Waffen SS under the command of Colonel General Schörner, again won a full defensive victory. |
This one is interesting because it describes the "heroic death" of Henning von Tresckow, who, according to linked article, had killed himself to avoid exposure of his involvement in the 20 July plot. "Invading Bolsheviks" goes without saying:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
24 July 1944 | Zwischen Brest-Litowsk und Grodno sowie nördlich Kauen scheiterten Durchbruchsversuche des Feindes am zähen Widerstand unserer tapferen Divisionen. In einigen Abschnitten warfen sie die eingedrungenen Bolschewisten im Gegenangriff zurück. In diesen Kämpfen fanden der Kommandeur einer Kampfgruppe, Generalleutnant Scheller, und der Chef des Stabes einer Armee, Generalmajor v. Treskow, in vorderster Linie den Heldentod. [4] |
Between Brest-Litovsk and Grodno and north of Kaunas, enemy break-through attempts failed because of the stubborn resistance of our brave divisions. In some sectors they threw back the invading Bolsheviks in the counterattack. In these battles, the commander of a combat unit, Lieutenant General Scheller, and the Chief of Staff of an Army, Major-General v. Tresckow, found a heroes death at the front lines. |
More "Bolsheviks" & "defensive victories":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
8 June 1944 | Bei den Kämpfen im Raum von Jassy haben deutsch-rumänische Truppen unter dem Befehl des rumänischen Generals der Kavallerie Racovita, des Generals der Panzertruppen von Knobelsdorff sowie des Generals der Infanterie Mieth, hervorragend unterstützt durch starke deutsch-rumänische Kampf- und Schlachtfliegerverbände, in harten Kämpfen die Bolschewisten aus tief gegliederten, zäh verteidigten Stellungen geworfen und die eigenen Stellungen dadurch bedeutend verbessert. [5] | In the battles in the area of Jassy, German and Romanian troops under the command of the Romanian Cavalry General Racoviță, General of Panzer troops von Knobelsdorff and the General of the Infantry Mieth, superbly supported by strong German-Romanian bomber and ground-attack aircraft units, have thrown in fierce combat out of their deeply structured, tough defending, positions, the Bolsheviks, and improved our positions significantly. |
A fighter wing claims "8,000 victories":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | English translation |
---|---|---|
4 May 1944 | Das unter Führung von Oberstleutnant Nordmann stehende Jagdgeschwader "Mölders" meldete seinen 8000. Luftsieg. [6] | Fighter wing "Mölders", under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Nordmann, reported its 8 000th aerial victory. |
This one did even better! (10,000 "arial victories")[ dubious ]:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
3 September 1944 (addendum) | Das auf allen Kriegsschauplätzen bewährte Jagdgeschwader 52 erzielte unter Führung seine Kommodore, Eichenlaubträger Oberstleutnant Hrabak, seinen 10 000 Luftsieg. [7] | The on all theatres of war well proven 52nd Fighter Wing under the leadership of its Wing Commander, Oak Leaves bearer Oberstleutnant Hrabak, achieved its 10 000th aerial victory. |
See " Panzer ace":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Friday, 15 May 1942 | Die Sturmgeschützabteilung 244 hat bei den Kämpfen im Osten am 14. Mai 36 feindliche Panzer vernichtet. Von diesen Panzern hat der Oberfeldwebel Banse (sic) allein 13 abgeschossen. [8] | The Assault Gun Battalion 244 has destroyed 36 enemy tanks in the fighting in the east on 14 May. Of these tanks, Sergeant Banse alone has destroyed 13. |
Dubious ("smashed seventy enemy divisions"):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
12 May 1944 | Bei der gestern gemeldeten Zerschlagung des feindlichen Brückenkopfes am unteren Dnjestr haben die unter Führung des General der Infanterie Buschenhagen stehenden Truppen sieben feindlichen Schützendivisionen sowie Teile einer Artillerie- und Flakdivision zerschlagen. [9] | In yesterday reported destruction of the enemy bridgehead at the lower Dniester, troops under the leadership of General of the Infantry Buschenhagen have smashed seven enemy infantry divisions[ dubious ] and parts of artillery and anti aircraft divisions. |
Almost poetry:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | English translation |
---|---|---|
6 April 1944 | Verbände des Heeres und der Waffen-SS haben unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Weiss und unter der Führung der Generale der Infanterie Hoßbach und Mattenklott nach tagelangen harten Angriffskämpfen durch die Pripjetsümpfe bei ungewöhnlichen Geländeschwierigkeiten den feindlichen Ring um Kowel gesprengt und damit ihre Kameraden aus der Umklammerung befreit. [10] | Units of the Army and the Waffen-SS have, under the High Command of Generaloberst Walter Weiss and under the leadership of Generals of the Infantry Hoßbach and Mattenklott, after days of harsh fighting through the Pripyat Marshes at rough terrain, broken the enemy ring at Kowel and by that our comrades were freed from the clutch. |
Wehrmachtbericht haiku(TM) based on the preceding entry:
Fight for freedom
Units of the Army and the Waffen-SS
After days of harsh fighting
Through rough terrain
Broken the enemy ring, and by that
Our comrades were freed from the clutch.
(c)2016
"5,500 enemy tanks destroyed":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
26 July 1944 | Im Abschnitt einer Armee wurden in der Zeit vom 14. Bis 23. Juli 553 feindliche Panzer abgeschossen. Hierbei hat sich die hamburgische 20. Panzer-Grenadier-Division unter Führung des Generalleutnant Jauer besonders ausgezeichnet. [11] | In an army sector, 553 enemy tanks were destroyed in the period from 14 to 23 July. There, the Hamburg 20th Panzer Grenadier Division under the command of Lieutenant-General Jauer has particularly excelled. |
This one at Alexander Löhr was a monster: 7,500 characters worth of Nazi propaganda, aka " historic testimony". In Erich von Manstein's case, it was almost 7,000 characters worth.
More of Panzerschlachten & "sacrificial battles":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
31 August 1944 (Addendum) | Im Südabschnitt der Ostfront hat sich das XXX. Armeekorps, unter Führung des Generalleutnants Postel mit der 306. Infanteriedivision, 15. Infanteriedivision und 13. Panzerdivision in aufopfernden Kämpfen gegen überlegene überlegene feindliche Kräfte heldenmütig geschlagen. [12] | The 30th Army Corps under the leadership of Generalleutnant Postel together with the 306th Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Division and 13th Panzer Division fought heroically in sacrificial battles against superior forces in the southern sector of the eastern front. |
Woah! Deserves a Wehrmachtbericht haiku(TM):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
29 June 1942 | Unter Führung des Generals der Kavallerie Lindemann haben Truppen des Heeres und der Waffen-SS, dabei auch spanische, niederländische und flämische Freiwilligenverbände, hervorragend unterstützt durch die Luftflotte des Generaloberst Keller, nach monatelangem erbitterten Kämpfen unter schwierigsten Wetter- und Geländeverhältnissen diese feindlichen Armeen zunächst von ihren rückwärtigen Verbindungen abgeriegelt, dann immer mehr zusammengedrängt und heute endgültig vernichtet. [13] | Under the leadership of General of the Cavalry Lindemann, troops of the Army and Waffen-SS, including Spanish, Dutch and Flemish volunteer units, excellently supported by the Air Fleet of Colonel-General Keller, after months of bitter fighting under difficult weather and terrain conditions, these hostile armies, were first sealed off from their communication and supply lines, then crowded together more and more, and today finally destroyed. |
United for Europe (extended)
Troops of the Army and Waffen-SS
Including Spanish, Dutch and Flemish volunteers
After months of bitter fighting
Under difficult weather and terrain conditions
These hostile armies were first sealed off
Then crowded together
More and more
And finally destroyed.
Much poetic language going on, including "defending" an occupied city:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Wednesday, 17 April 1940 | Bei der Verteidigung von Narvik fiel der Führer der Zerstörer, Kapitän zur See und Kommodore Bonte, in heldenmütigem Kampf gegen britische Übermacht. Rund zwei drittel der Besatzungen der beschädigten und nicht mehr gefechtsbereiten Zerstörer, die ihre Munition restlos verschossen haben, wurden in die Verteidigung Narviks zur Verstärkung der im dortigen Raum eingesetzten Heerestruppenteile eingegliedert. [14] | The leader of the destroyers, Captain and Commodore Bonte, was killed in action in a heroic struggle against British supremacy in defense of Narvik. About two-thirds of the crew of the damaged and no longer combat-ready destroyers, their ammunition expended completely, were incorporated in the defense of Narvik to reinforce the army deployed in the vicinity. |
Red links, suggesting that articles for these subjects should be created:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Sunday, 6 July 1941 | Rittmeister Niemack, Führer einer Aufklärungsabteilung, die Oberleutnante Freiherr Maercken und Buchterkirch in einem Panzerregiment, sowie Oberleutnant Ritz in einem Schützenregiment zeichneten sich durch vorbildliche Tapferkeit aus. [15] | Rotamaster Niemack, leader of a reconnaissance unit, the first lieutenants Freiherr Maercken and Buchterkirch in a tank regiment, and Lieutenant Ritz in a rifle regiment distinguished themselves through exemplary bravery. |
How were the battles victorious if the pilot was killed?
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Thursday, 10 July 1941 | Hauptmann Balthasar, Träger des Eichenlaubes zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, der mit 40 Luftsiegen an den genannten Erfolgen der Luftwaffe hervorragend beteiligt war, fand in siegreichen Luftkämpfen am Kanal den Heldentod. Mit ihm verlor die Luftwaffe einen ihrer tapfersten Jagdflieger. [16] | Captain Balthasar, bearer of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, who with 40 aerial victories exceptionally contributed on these already mentioned successes of the Luftwaffe, found a hero's death in victorious aerial battles at the channel. |
Nazi propaganda's version of WP:CRYSTAL:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Sunday, 15 February 1942 | Die Verluste der britischen Luftwaffe bei See- und Luftgefecht im Kanalgebiet am 12. Februar erhöhen sich auf 49 Flugzeuge. Mit dem Abschuß von weiteren feindlichen Flugzeugen in diesen Luftkämpfen ist zu rechnen. [17] | The losses of the British Air Force in sea and aerial combat on 12 February increased to 49 aircraft. It is assumed that further enemy aircraft will be shot down in these aerial battles. |
Somehow, the "freedom of Europe" was being sought deep in the Soviet Union, almost in Asia:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Monday, 5 October 1942 | Bei den Kämpfen an der Don-Front fand der Kommandierenden General eines Panzerkorps, General der Panzertruppe Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp, Träger des Eichenlaubs zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, am 3. Oktober 1942 in vorderster Linie den Heldentod. Seite an Seite mit ihm fiel der Kommandeur einer ungarischen Division, Oberst Nagy, im Kampf um die Freiheit Europas. [18] | In the fighting on the Don front the commanding general of an armored corps, General of Panzer Troops Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp, bearer of the Oak Leaf to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, met an heroic death on 3 October 1942 on the front line. Side by side with him fell the commander of a Hungarian division, Colonel Nagy, in the struggle for the freedom of Europe. |
References
But no, we were not quite done. There have been additional discussions and attempts to restore the Wehrmachtberichte in a different form.
The category is useful in identifying how and why the the Wehrmachtbericht was used. it is helpful to researchers in identifying the type of mentionsand
And I would strongly object to removing mention of this source in the articles, or in removing the transcripts. Note: That ship has already sailed :-)
Trivial; where someone is mentioned is hardly notable except in the rarest circumstances (such as the Bible). I don't think that the German war reports merit such rarity.Closed as "Delete", 6 to 1.
Borrowing the title form a Der Spiegel article, this section is dedicated to Erwin Rommel:
References
An article sourced almost exclusively to Wehrmacht "guru" Franz Kurowski:
Warning: Fan fiction ahead |
---|
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it. |
References
Saga continues
Epic edit summaries from involved editor
|
More semi-fictional accounts:
References
26 total citations.
A GA article built on:
Article built almost entirely on the Landserhefte work by Gerhard Bracke:
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link),– published by militaria and right-wing publisher VDM Heinz Nickel .
Special mention for using the term "Fortress Europe" non-ironically:
According to the linked article, "Fortress Europe ( German: Festung Europa) was a military propaganda term used by both sides of the Second World War."
The collection of material that I gathered here reads like a mini-version of my user page: Wikipedia:Good article reassessment/Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz/1: "led from the front"; "destroyed 2,700 tanks in 4 hours"; "received a move out order while at lunch"; "rose to fame"[ according to whom?]; Victim of History nominee (in both wars); joined the NSDAP, but strictly for reasons of civic duty; etc.
The GA / A-class article is largely based on fringe sources: Franz Kurowski, two works published by a German right-wing publisher, and a self-published source.
"That is absolutely classic Luftwaffe propaganda; the German bomber pilot only ever hit military targets while the Allied "terrorists" only ever hit churches, hospitals and orphanages."
The section heading borrows language from The Myth of the Eastern Front to describe the material put out by J.J. Fedorowitz. This section will be used to highlight examples that perfectly align with the book's analysis.
These elite units (better equipment, higher strength) are fascinating to those how romanticise Nazi Germany's war effort:
Herbert-Erwin Meierdress held off a major Soviet Counteroffensive{why capitalise "counteroffensive? so that it sounds more significant?}
and saved German forces from complete encirclement{can an encirclement be incomplete?}
using just 120 men, 30 of whom survived. He was awarded the Knights Cross for his actions, and his story was published in the SS Magazine DAS SCHWARZE KORPS. {dubious honor}
German propaganda would have been all over this, and Meierdress would have been a known hero of the Reich, even more so as his career progressed. This man saw ferocious combat{poetic language}
on the Eastern-Front and nearly survived to see the end of the war. His decorations include the Wound Badge in GOLD [...],{this is notable how?}
Tank Assault Badge,{another totemic badge}
Iron Cross First and Second Class, the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross (as previously mentioned), with Oak Leaves (a separate award for another act of valor in combat equal to that of the one in which he received his first Knight's Cross, awarded to him personally by Adolf Hitler on 5 October 1943).{dubious honor}
[...] So needless to say, his resume speaks as to why he is significant." (emphasis mine) Compare Oct 2015 version and now, March 2016.
Luftwaffe articles are generally filled to the gulls with romantic notions of "aces", "hunters" and Experten (aka the Knights of the Third Reich), so I'm starting a dedicated sections devoted to this area of Wikipedia.
Still on the same article, see: Talk:Kampfgeschwader 55#Neutral POV. Prior edit summary from the same editor: reverted all edits by Coffman; vandalism, removing sources, baseless accusations on pov. For realz.
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2008-0704-500, Smolensk, Karl Gottfried Nordmann Recolored.jpg|thumb|upright|Seems appropriate to decorate this section with recoloured images of the noses being "long and straight", courtesy of [[c:Special:Contributions/Ruffneck'88&offset=&limit=500&target=Ruffneck'88|Commons user "Ruffneck'88"]. (Gee, I wonder what 88 stands for in this context.)]]
The diffs come from alt-text content associated with the main portrait of the subject of the article:
The "tragic losses" and standing fast in the face of adversity are common themes, especially in the Battle of Stalingrad narratives:
This apparently non-existing badge is presented in three "grades":
You can't make this stuff up!
October 2016 update: Somebody has come along and interfered with this showcase article; edit summaries:
Here's the article as it was reviewed above: K%C3%BCmmel&oldid=699945015 Janury 2016.
All images come from the Commons upload log by User:Ruffneck88. The selection is presented strictly for educational purposes and does not imply an endorsement of such activities.
A distinct case of Wehrmacht & Waffen-SS hero worship is on display here, even including German collaborator Stepan Bandera (bottom right):
The fascination seems to extend to the SS and Nazi Party leaders, along with various forms of Nazi iconography:
A more disturbing selection. Who would want to colourise / glamourise depictions of atrocities, victims, and the war dead?
Compare & contrast section, for actual colour photography from World War II:
"In Good Faith"? Via J.J. Fedorowicz
Yes, let's re-use the SS motto for a book title! In Heinrich Sonne
Here's another "Loyalty" one, from Gordon Williamson (writer), who seems to be only slightly less prolific vs Franz Kurowski. In Joachim Peiper.
Alternate geography, as Kharkov is located in Ukraine, and some historians don't even call it a "victory" (see: Third Battle of Kharkov#Aftermath):
Here are some of the articles already copyedited to remove above issues; further improvements are welcome:
Here are two excellent books that cover the topic of historical revisionism in the coverage of the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. They do an excellent job of explaining why and how these myths took hold, and why Wikipedia (for example) is such a fertile ground for messages that romanticize the two organisations. The book by Smelser and Davies even quotes from Wikipedia; it's both sad and (unintentionally) hilarious to read:
References
For a general overview, see:
See: Waffen-SS in popular culture#Popular history, including:
Select sub-sections:
NOTE: My "deletionist" activities can be observed via this handy AFD tracker. My AfD nominations only: link. My PROD log is at User:K.e.coffman/PROD log. My CSD log is at User:K.e.coffman/CSD log.
This page has been
mentioned by a media organization:
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This user received the Editor of the Week award. |
Military history WikiProject Distinguished Service Award |
K.e.coffman |
Editor of the Week for the week beginning November 11, 2018 |
K.e.coffman's superlative contributions to military history have made a most significant impact on the project's content. They work continuously removing neo-Nazi apologia from multiple articles. K.e.coffman is the editor most largely responsible for tackling the Clean Wehrmacht myth to the extent that it has impacted articles. Note this essay, in which they cogently outlined the problem and how to deal with it |
Recognized for |
Tireless efforts at Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history |
Notable work(s) |
A multitude of World War II History articles and related topics |
Submit a nomination |
I'm interested in the history of World War II and related topics. Some of the articles I am contributing (or have contributed) to include, in no particular order:
An honorable mention in the Military History Newcomer of the Year 2015 vote:
The WikiProject Barnstar | ||
For "diligence and work on checking into unsourced claims and non-NPOV language of World War II and Waffen-SS related articles," I have the honor of awarding you this WikiProject Barnstar as an honorable mention in the Military History Newcomer of the Year 2015 vote. For the Military history WikiProject, TomStar81 ( Talk) 02:33, 22 December 2015 (UTC) |
Military history reviewers' award | ||
On behalf of the Milhist coordinators, you are hereby awarded the Milhist reviewing award (1 stripe) for reviewing a total of 1 Milhist article during the period April to June 2016.
Peacemaker67 (
click to talk to me) 02:31, 23 July 2016 (UTC) Keep track of upcoming reviews. Just copy and paste |
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar | ||
For your efforts during March Madness 2017, I hereby award you this barnstar. Thank you for your contributions. Regards, AustralianRupert ( talk) 08:58, 2 April 2017 (UTC) |
GoldenWiki Award. Your work is pure gold! Congratulations on your amazing diligence, intelligence and above all superlative research and wide backround reading. In honor of all your efforts and in recognition of your contributions to worldwide scholarship that your work on Wikipedia reflects it is my honor to present you with this Goldenwiki award. Mazel Tov ! IZAK ( talk) 09:13, 23 November 2021 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar | ||
Nice work, both with Rommel myth and Waffen-SS in popular culture MainlyTwelve ( talk) 04:59, 17 April 2016 (UTC) |
Your Milhist work is really impressive, especially Rommel myth. Keep up the good work! GAB Hello! 23:39, 2 May 2016 (UTC) |
The WikiChevrons | ||
I believe a massive congratulations are in order for your nearly single-handed efforts to create the Rommel myth article. I am so incredibly happy to see that verdammt "humanitarianism" section eliminated from his article. Keep up the good work correcting the Nazi romancer bias! — Noha307 ( talk) 17:28, 20 April 2016 (UTC) |
The Desert Fox
Thank you for quality articles such as HIAG, Waffen-SS in popular culture and Rommel: The Desert Fox, for uploading book covers and other images, for diligent reviewing, for fighting unsourced facts and POV, and for "I enjoy contributing and engaging with other editors", --- Gerda Arendt ( talk) 06:25, 29 June 2016 (UTC) you are an awesome Wikipedian!
The Editor's Barnstar | |
Your comments on the Afd desk are quite insightful, and the amount of research you do to support your comments is commen(t)dable! Great work. Good job! Lourdes 03:57, 6 September 2016 (UTC) |
The Barnstar of Diligence | |
For your ongoing efforts in employing academic rigor to validate Wikipedia pages related to WW2. It is appreciated by many more people than you realize. Obenritter ( talk) 21:28, 10 December 2016 (UTC) |
The Barnstar of Diligence | |
For removing alternate history. scope_creep ( talk) 10:21, 17 October 2017 (UTC) |
The BLP Barnstar | ||
For your edits on Ahed Tamimi, Thanks! Huldra ( talk) 22:08, 3 March 2018 (UTC) |
German Barnstar of National Merit | |
On behalf of WikiProject Germany, I want to award you this for your immense work in Nazi Germany, namely the preservation of truth and Wikipedia guidelines. Wear it with pride! ...Somewhere on your humongous userpage, anyhow. Vami _IV✠ 05:59, 16 May 2018 (UTC) |
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar | |
For excellent work in going above and beyond to preserve simple military facts. scope_creep ( talk) 13:26, 6 May 2018 (UTC) |
...I just spent half an hour browsing your user page. In the past I had been bothered by how WWII articles seemed to praise the German side, for skill, valor, etc, etc, but I had no idea of the extent. I am utterly impressed, and I thank you for improving Wikipedia. Jd2718 ( talk) 23:35, 4 March 2017 (UTC) (Copied from my Talk page: Permalink.)
This is just a portion of what other editors and I have encountered and fixed so far; the list would be far too long to enumerate everything. Click on the diff to see the '"Before and After" text:
Deserves its own subsection:
The tradition continues (though with an edelweiss pin of different design) among current Gebirgsjäger-qualified personnel in the Bundeswehr (common German military soldiers wear a beret rather than the Bergmütze mountain cap used by mountain, ski, and Jäger units). Mountain troops' uniform jackets also bear an edelweiss emblem ovoid sleeve patch.
In Wehrmacht mountain troops badge.
Deserves its own subsection:
Deserves its own area, as this is quite a common occurrence that the lead would focus on minor details and omit what the subject is notable for:
"The German bomber pilot only ever hit military targets while the Allied "terrorists" only ever hit churches, hospitals and orphanages"( diff). This proof of this (aka the truth) lives on in Wikipedia. In Siegfried Barth.
German: Opfer der Geschichte Abzeichen:
Closely related to the above, this section focuses on the implementation of unfair and uncalled-for victor's justice:
I'm going to start collecting nicknames of various military figures, as this appears to be a theme.
Jewish welcoming banner for the Soviet forces invading Poland. In the background the Catholic Church of St. Roch in Białystok (Soviet photo). Actual scene: "Yiddish election notice to the People's council of Western Belarus, Białystok". Took two tries to get there: part 1; part 2. The image was removed altogether in 2020; edit summary: "it is never explained how the image is relevant or contributes to understanding the article subject". In Białystok Ghetto. Also qualifies under #Alternate timeline, as the image was misdated by two years, 1939 (presumably) vs 1941.
Starting a new section with examples of Waffen-SS (and even SS) being "the fourth branch of the Wehrmacht":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
1 October 1944 (addendum) | Bei der Niederwerfung des Aufstandes in Warschau haben sich die im Verband des SS-Obergruppenführers und General der Polizei von Bach unter Führung des Generalmajors Rohr kämpfenden Verbände des Heeres, der Waffen-SS und der Luftwaffe durch Härte und kühnes Draufgängertum besonders ausgezeichnet. [1] | During the suppression of the uprising in Warsaw, fighting forces of the Army, the Waffen-SS and the Luftwaffe under the command of SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Police von Bach under the leadership of Major General Rohr have particularly distinguished themselves by showing toughness and audacious recklessness. |
References
Taking the lead from Jonathan House's lecture on the mythology of the Eastern Front. House is David Glantz's co-author on When Titans Clashed: "The Three Alibis"
Another favorite alibi of the former Wehrmacht generals; to quote Friedrich von Mellenthin, these waves "eventually submerged the superior Wehrmacht, like the stones in the ocean" (or something to this effect)
See: " The 'I Was Not a Nazi' Polka" by The Chad Mitchell Trio:
That's a catch-all section for a variety of totemic symbols that often fill articles to the brim, with foreign language unit names, unnecessary translations, and visual depictions of much intricate detail.
This deserves its own subsection:
Appropriate quote from The Myth of the Eastern Front: "Little if any sentiment has been extended [by the Americans] to the families of the 8 million Red Army soldiers who died fighting the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS, or the 22 million civilians killed by these military organizations and the killing squads, the Einsatzgruppen", that worked closely with the army formations. "With a forty-year head start", the predominance of the German account "hardly remains a mystery".
Battle of the Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket seems to have the higher proportion of "selective empathy" than most:
Starting a new section as a reflection of WP:MEMORIAL, in a literal sense:
Hauptmann | Hauptmann | |
Hans-Joachim Marseille | Hans-Joachim Marseille | |
Inh. d. Eichenlaubs m. Schwertern | Recipient of the Oak Leaves with Swords | |
u. Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz | and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross | |
Der höchsten Ital. Tapferkeitsmedaille | The highest Italian Medal of bravery | |
in Gold u.a. Auszeichnungen | in Gold and other Awards | |
Geb. 13 December 1919 gef. i. Derna i. Afrika 30 September 1942 | Born 13 December 1919 killed in Derna in Africa 30 September 1942 |
References
Starting a section for capturing the moments of glorification of military violences:
This section is quite large due to the amount of effort that was involved around the Wehrmachtbericht transcripts (OKW press releases).
To illustrate the scope of the project, I did the following, starting soon from the time I joined MILHIST (Nov 2015):
In this case [the transcript] may have included euphemisms for criminal actions, but it may equally have been referring to bravery in combat against armed fighters of the Home Army) emphasis mine; pls see, for example: Wola massacre;
[Name redacted], (...) repeatedly restoring the content that two different established users took out and calling their edits vandalism to boot is definitely a no-no. So be warned that a block might be looming if you insist in continuing your behaviour;
These have already been removed from articles and are being preserved here for archival purposes.
"Endless waves of tanks and men" & "Asiatic hordes" (see Panzerschlachten):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
29 November 1944 | Deutsche Truppen haben zusammen mit den verbündeten ungarischen Streitkräften unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Frießner seit dem 29. Oktober dem fast ununterbrochenen Ansturm von 61 Divisionen und 7 Panzerkorps der Bolschewisten und Rumänen standgehalten. [1] | German forces together with the allied Hungarian armed forces under the command of Colonel General Friessner have since 29 October withstood the almost continuous onslaught of 61 divisions and 7 armored corps of the Bolsheviks and Romanians. |
Destroyed "1,754 tanks" and won a "full defensive victory":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
18 February 1944 | In den schweren Kämpfen im Raum von Nikopol haben ostmärkische, bayerische, rheinisch-westfälische, sächsische, mecklenburgische, pommersche und ostpreußische Division unter dem Befehl des Generals der Gebirgstruppen Schörner und der Generale Brandenberger, Mieth und Kreysing in der Zeit vom 5. November 1943 bis 15 Februar 1944 in Angriff und Abwehr starke Durchbruchsversuche der Bolschewisten mit blanker Waffe verhindert und ihnen hohe Verluste zugefügt. Dabei wurden 1754 Panzer, 533 Geschütze, zahlreiche andere Waffen und sonstiges Kriegsgerät erbeutet oder vernichtet und 56 feindliche Flugzeuge durch Infanteriewaffen abgeschossen.}} [2] | During heavy fighting in the area of Nikopol, between 5 November 1943 and 15 February 1944, the divisons from Ostmark, Bavaria, Rhineland-Westphalia, Saxony, Mecklenburg, Pomerania and East Prussia, under the command of Mountain Troops General Schörner and generals Brandenberger, Mieth and Kreysing, with offensive and defensive actions, prevented strong Bolshevik attempts to break through with blank cartridges, and inflicted heavy losses upon them. Thereby 1754 tanks, 533 artillery pieces, numerous other weapons and war material were captured or destroyed, and 56 enemy aircraft were shot down by infantry weapons. |
30 November 1944 | In der zweiten Abwehrschlacht in Kurland haben die unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Schörner kämpfenden Verbände des Heeres und germanischer Freiwilliger der Waffen-SS wiederum einen vollen Abwehrsieg errungen. [3] | In the second defensive battle in Courland, units of the army and Germanic volunteers of the Waffen SS under the command of Colonel General Schörner, again won a full defensive victory. |
This one is interesting because it describes the "heroic death" of Henning von Tresckow, who, according to linked article, had killed himself to avoid exposure of his involvement in the 20 July plot. "Invading Bolsheviks" goes without saying:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
24 July 1944 | Zwischen Brest-Litowsk und Grodno sowie nördlich Kauen scheiterten Durchbruchsversuche des Feindes am zähen Widerstand unserer tapferen Divisionen. In einigen Abschnitten warfen sie die eingedrungenen Bolschewisten im Gegenangriff zurück. In diesen Kämpfen fanden der Kommandeur einer Kampfgruppe, Generalleutnant Scheller, und der Chef des Stabes einer Armee, Generalmajor v. Treskow, in vorderster Linie den Heldentod. [4] |
Between Brest-Litovsk and Grodno and north of Kaunas, enemy break-through attempts failed because of the stubborn resistance of our brave divisions. In some sectors they threw back the invading Bolsheviks in the counterattack. In these battles, the commander of a combat unit, Lieutenant General Scheller, and the Chief of Staff of an Army, Major-General v. Tresckow, found a heroes death at the front lines. |
More "Bolsheviks" & "defensive victories":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
8 June 1944 | Bei den Kämpfen im Raum von Jassy haben deutsch-rumänische Truppen unter dem Befehl des rumänischen Generals der Kavallerie Racovita, des Generals der Panzertruppen von Knobelsdorff sowie des Generals der Infanterie Mieth, hervorragend unterstützt durch starke deutsch-rumänische Kampf- und Schlachtfliegerverbände, in harten Kämpfen die Bolschewisten aus tief gegliederten, zäh verteidigten Stellungen geworfen und die eigenen Stellungen dadurch bedeutend verbessert. [5] | In the battles in the area of Jassy, German and Romanian troops under the command of the Romanian Cavalry General Racoviță, General of Panzer troops von Knobelsdorff and the General of the Infantry Mieth, superbly supported by strong German-Romanian bomber and ground-attack aircraft units, have thrown in fierce combat out of their deeply structured, tough defending, positions, the Bolsheviks, and improved our positions significantly. |
A fighter wing claims "8,000 victories":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | English translation |
---|---|---|
4 May 1944 | Das unter Führung von Oberstleutnant Nordmann stehende Jagdgeschwader "Mölders" meldete seinen 8000. Luftsieg. [6] | Fighter wing "Mölders", under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Nordmann, reported its 8 000th aerial victory. |
This one did even better! (10,000 "arial victories")[ dubious ]:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
3 September 1944 (addendum) | Das auf allen Kriegsschauplätzen bewährte Jagdgeschwader 52 erzielte unter Führung seine Kommodore, Eichenlaubträger Oberstleutnant Hrabak, seinen 10 000 Luftsieg. [7] | The on all theatres of war well proven 52nd Fighter Wing under the leadership of its Wing Commander, Oak Leaves bearer Oberstleutnant Hrabak, achieved its 10 000th aerial victory. |
See " Panzer ace":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Friday, 15 May 1942 | Die Sturmgeschützabteilung 244 hat bei den Kämpfen im Osten am 14. Mai 36 feindliche Panzer vernichtet. Von diesen Panzern hat der Oberfeldwebel Banse (sic) allein 13 abgeschossen. [8] | The Assault Gun Battalion 244 has destroyed 36 enemy tanks in the fighting in the east on 14 May. Of these tanks, Sergeant Banse alone has destroyed 13. |
Dubious ("smashed seventy enemy divisions"):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
12 May 1944 | Bei der gestern gemeldeten Zerschlagung des feindlichen Brückenkopfes am unteren Dnjestr haben die unter Führung des General der Infanterie Buschenhagen stehenden Truppen sieben feindlichen Schützendivisionen sowie Teile einer Artillerie- und Flakdivision zerschlagen. [9] | In yesterday reported destruction of the enemy bridgehead at the lower Dniester, troops under the leadership of General of the Infantry Buschenhagen have smashed seven enemy infantry divisions[ dubious ] and parts of artillery and anti aircraft divisions. |
Almost poetry:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | English translation |
---|---|---|
6 April 1944 | Verbände des Heeres und der Waffen-SS haben unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Weiss und unter der Führung der Generale der Infanterie Hoßbach und Mattenklott nach tagelangen harten Angriffskämpfen durch die Pripjetsümpfe bei ungewöhnlichen Geländeschwierigkeiten den feindlichen Ring um Kowel gesprengt und damit ihre Kameraden aus der Umklammerung befreit. [10] | Units of the Army and the Waffen-SS have, under the High Command of Generaloberst Walter Weiss and under the leadership of Generals of the Infantry Hoßbach and Mattenklott, after days of harsh fighting through the Pripyat Marshes at rough terrain, broken the enemy ring at Kowel and by that our comrades were freed from the clutch. |
Wehrmachtbericht haiku(TM) based on the preceding entry:
Fight for freedom
Units of the Army and the Waffen-SS
After days of harsh fighting
Through rough terrain
Broken the enemy ring, and by that
Our comrades were freed from the clutch.
(c)2016
"5,500 enemy tanks destroyed":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
26 July 1944 | Im Abschnitt einer Armee wurden in der Zeit vom 14. Bis 23. Juli 553 feindliche Panzer abgeschossen. Hierbei hat sich die hamburgische 20. Panzer-Grenadier-Division unter Führung des Generalleutnant Jauer besonders ausgezeichnet. [11] | In an army sector, 553 enemy tanks were destroyed in the period from 14 to 23 July. There, the Hamburg 20th Panzer Grenadier Division under the command of Lieutenant-General Jauer has particularly excelled. |
This one at Alexander Löhr was a monster: 7,500 characters worth of Nazi propaganda, aka " historic testimony". In Erich von Manstein's case, it was almost 7,000 characters worth.
More of Panzerschlachten & "sacrificial battles":
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
31 August 1944 (Addendum) | Im Südabschnitt der Ostfront hat sich das XXX. Armeekorps, unter Führung des Generalleutnants Postel mit der 306. Infanteriedivision, 15. Infanteriedivision und 13. Panzerdivision in aufopfernden Kämpfen gegen überlegene überlegene feindliche Kräfte heldenmütig geschlagen. [12] | The 30th Army Corps under the leadership of Generalleutnant Postel together with the 306th Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Division and 13th Panzer Division fought heroically in sacrificial battles against superior forces in the southern sector of the eastern front. |
Woah! Deserves a Wehrmachtbericht haiku(TM):
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
29 June 1942 | Unter Führung des Generals der Kavallerie Lindemann haben Truppen des Heeres und der Waffen-SS, dabei auch spanische, niederländische und flämische Freiwilligenverbände, hervorragend unterstützt durch die Luftflotte des Generaloberst Keller, nach monatelangem erbitterten Kämpfen unter schwierigsten Wetter- und Geländeverhältnissen diese feindlichen Armeen zunächst von ihren rückwärtigen Verbindungen abgeriegelt, dann immer mehr zusammengedrängt und heute endgültig vernichtet. [13] | Under the leadership of General of the Cavalry Lindemann, troops of the Army and Waffen-SS, including Spanish, Dutch and Flemish volunteer units, excellently supported by the Air Fleet of Colonel-General Keller, after months of bitter fighting under difficult weather and terrain conditions, these hostile armies, were first sealed off from their communication and supply lines, then crowded together more and more, and today finally destroyed. |
United for Europe (extended)
Troops of the Army and Waffen-SS
Including Spanish, Dutch and Flemish volunteers
After months of bitter fighting
Under difficult weather and terrain conditions
These hostile armies were first sealed off
Then crowded together
More and more
And finally destroyed.
Much poetic language going on, including "defending" an occupied city:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Wednesday, 17 April 1940 | Bei der Verteidigung von Narvik fiel der Führer der Zerstörer, Kapitän zur See und Kommodore Bonte, in heldenmütigem Kampf gegen britische Übermacht. Rund zwei drittel der Besatzungen der beschädigten und nicht mehr gefechtsbereiten Zerstörer, die ihre Munition restlos verschossen haben, wurden in die Verteidigung Narviks zur Verstärkung der im dortigen Raum eingesetzten Heerestruppenteile eingegliedert. [14] | The leader of the destroyers, Captain and Commodore Bonte, was killed in action in a heroic struggle against British supremacy in defense of Narvik. About two-thirds of the crew of the damaged and no longer combat-ready destroyers, their ammunition expended completely, were incorporated in the defense of Narvik to reinforce the army deployed in the vicinity. |
Red links, suggesting that articles for these subjects should be created:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Sunday, 6 July 1941 | Rittmeister Niemack, Führer einer Aufklärungsabteilung, die Oberleutnante Freiherr Maercken und Buchterkirch in einem Panzerregiment, sowie Oberleutnant Ritz in einem Schützenregiment zeichneten sich durch vorbildliche Tapferkeit aus. [15] | Rotamaster Niemack, leader of a reconnaissance unit, the first lieutenants Freiherr Maercken and Buchterkirch in a tank regiment, and Lieutenant Ritz in a rifle regiment distinguished themselves through exemplary bravery. |
How were the battles victorious if the pilot was killed?
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Thursday, 10 July 1941 | Hauptmann Balthasar, Träger des Eichenlaubes zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, der mit 40 Luftsiegen an den genannten Erfolgen der Luftwaffe hervorragend beteiligt war, fand in siegreichen Luftkämpfen am Kanal den Heldentod. Mit ihm verlor die Luftwaffe einen ihrer tapfersten Jagdflieger. [16] | Captain Balthasar, bearer of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, who with 40 aerial victories exceptionally contributed on these already mentioned successes of the Luftwaffe, found a hero's death in victorious aerial battles at the channel. |
Nazi propaganda's version of WP:CRYSTAL:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Sunday, 15 February 1942 | Die Verluste der britischen Luftwaffe bei See- und Luftgefecht im Kanalgebiet am 12. Februar erhöhen sich auf 49 Flugzeuge. Mit dem Abschuß von weiteren feindlichen Flugzeugen in diesen Luftkämpfen ist zu rechnen. [17] | The losses of the British Air Force in sea and aerial combat on 12 February increased to 49 aircraft. It is assumed that further enemy aircraft will be shot down in these aerial battles. |
Somehow, the "freedom of Europe" was being sought deep in the Soviet Union, almost in Asia:
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Monday, 5 October 1942 | Bei den Kämpfen an der Don-Front fand der Kommandierenden General eines Panzerkorps, General der Panzertruppe Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp, Träger des Eichenlaubs zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, am 3. Oktober 1942 in vorderster Linie den Heldentod. Seite an Seite mit ihm fiel der Kommandeur einer ungarischen Division, Oberst Nagy, im Kampf um die Freiheit Europas. [18] | In the fighting on the Don front the commanding general of an armored corps, General of Panzer Troops Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp, bearer of the Oak Leaf to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, met an heroic death on 3 October 1942 on the front line. Side by side with him fell the commander of a Hungarian division, Colonel Nagy, in the struggle for the freedom of Europe. |
References
But no, we were not quite done. There have been additional discussions and attempts to restore the Wehrmachtberichte in a different form.
The category is useful in identifying how and why the the Wehrmachtbericht was used. it is helpful to researchers in identifying the type of mentionsand
And I would strongly object to removing mention of this source in the articles, or in removing the transcripts. Note: That ship has already sailed :-)
Trivial; where someone is mentioned is hardly notable except in the rarest circumstances (such as the Bible). I don't think that the German war reports merit such rarity.Closed as "Delete", 6 to 1.
Borrowing the title form a Der Spiegel article, this section is dedicated to Erwin Rommel:
References
An article sourced almost exclusively to Wehrmacht "guru" Franz Kurowski:
Warning: Fan fiction ahead |
---|
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it. |
References
Saga continues
Epic edit summaries from involved editor
|
More semi-fictional accounts:
References
26 total citations.
A GA article built on:
Article built almost entirely on the Landserhefte work by Gerhard Bracke:
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link),– published by militaria and right-wing publisher VDM Heinz Nickel .
Special mention for using the term "Fortress Europe" non-ironically:
According to the linked article, "Fortress Europe ( German: Festung Europa) was a military propaganda term used by both sides of the Second World War."
The collection of material that I gathered here reads like a mini-version of my user page: Wikipedia:Good article reassessment/Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz/1: "led from the front"; "destroyed 2,700 tanks in 4 hours"; "received a move out order while at lunch"; "rose to fame"[ according to whom?]; Victim of History nominee (in both wars); joined the NSDAP, but strictly for reasons of civic duty; etc.
The GA / A-class article is largely based on fringe sources: Franz Kurowski, two works published by a German right-wing publisher, and a self-published source.
"That is absolutely classic Luftwaffe propaganda; the German bomber pilot only ever hit military targets while the Allied "terrorists" only ever hit churches, hospitals and orphanages."
The section heading borrows language from The Myth of the Eastern Front to describe the material put out by J.J. Fedorowitz. This section will be used to highlight examples that perfectly align with the book's analysis.
These elite units (better equipment, higher strength) are fascinating to those how romanticise Nazi Germany's war effort:
Herbert-Erwin Meierdress held off a major Soviet Counteroffensive{why capitalise "counteroffensive? so that it sounds more significant?}
and saved German forces from complete encirclement{can an encirclement be incomplete?}
using just 120 men, 30 of whom survived. He was awarded the Knights Cross for his actions, and his story was published in the SS Magazine DAS SCHWARZE KORPS. {dubious honor}
German propaganda would have been all over this, and Meierdress would have been a known hero of the Reich, even more so as his career progressed. This man saw ferocious combat{poetic language}
on the Eastern-Front and nearly survived to see the end of the war. His decorations include the Wound Badge in GOLD [...],{this is notable how?}
Tank Assault Badge,{another totemic badge}
Iron Cross First and Second Class, the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross (as previously mentioned), with Oak Leaves (a separate award for another act of valor in combat equal to that of the one in which he received his first Knight's Cross, awarded to him personally by Adolf Hitler on 5 October 1943).{dubious honor}
[...] So needless to say, his resume speaks as to why he is significant." (emphasis mine) Compare Oct 2015 version and now, March 2016.
Luftwaffe articles are generally filled to the gulls with romantic notions of "aces", "hunters" and Experten (aka the Knights of the Third Reich), so I'm starting a dedicated sections devoted to this area of Wikipedia.
Still on the same article, see: Talk:Kampfgeschwader 55#Neutral POV. Prior edit summary from the same editor: reverted all edits by Coffman; vandalism, removing sources, baseless accusations on pov. For realz.
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2008-0704-500, Smolensk, Karl Gottfried Nordmann Recolored.jpg|thumb|upright|Seems appropriate to decorate this section with recoloured images of the noses being "long and straight", courtesy of [[c:Special:Contributions/Ruffneck'88&offset=&limit=500&target=Ruffneck'88|Commons user "Ruffneck'88"]. (Gee, I wonder what 88 stands for in this context.)]]
The diffs come from alt-text content associated with the main portrait of the subject of the article:
The "tragic losses" and standing fast in the face of adversity are common themes, especially in the Battle of Stalingrad narratives:
This apparently non-existing badge is presented in three "grades":
You can't make this stuff up!
October 2016 update: Somebody has come along and interfered with this showcase article; edit summaries:
Here's the article as it was reviewed above: K%C3%BCmmel&oldid=699945015 Janury 2016.
All images come from the Commons upload log by User:Ruffneck88. The selection is presented strictly for educational purposes and does not imply an endorsement of such activities.
A distinct case of Wehrmacht & Waffen-SS hero worship is on display here, even including German collaborator Stepan Bandera (bottom right):
The fascination seems to extend to the SS and Nazi Party leaders, along with various forms of Nazi iconography:
A more disturbing selection. Who would want to colourise / glamourise depictions of atrocities, victims, and the war dead?
Compare & contrast section, for actual colour photography from World War II:
"In Good Faith"? Via J.J. Fedorowicz
Yes, let's re-use the SS motto for a book title! In Heinrich Sonne
Here's another "Loyalty" one, from Gordon Williamson (writer), who seems to be only slightly less prolific vs Franz Kurowski. In Joachim Peiper.
Alternate geography, as Kharkov is located in Ukraine, and some historians don't even call it a "victory" (see: Third Battle of Kharkov#Aftermath):
Here are some of the articles already copyedited to remove above issues; further improvements are welcome:
Here are two excellent books that cover the topic of historical revisionism in the coverage of the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. They do an excellent job of explaining why and how these myths took hold, and why Wikipedia (for example) is such a fertile ground for messages that romanticize the two organisations. The book by Smelser and Davies even quotes from Wikipedia; it's both sad and (unintentionally) hilarious to read:
References
For a general overview, see:
See: Waffen-SS in popular culture#Popular history, including:
Select sub-sections:
NOTE: My "deletionist" activities can be observed via this handy AFD tracker. My AfD nominations only: link. My PROD log is at User:K.e.coffman/PROD log. My CSD log is at User:K.e.coffman/CSD log.
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