The awakening
Friday, 29. January 1943
At 18. January 1943 We climbed our wagons in Kassel, the US should bring to Vitebsk. The journey went via Halle, Falkenberg, Frankfurt / Oder, New Bentschen first to Warsaw. There we stood a few days on the East train station. Here I witnessed, as some 100 Polish civilians in a train were shipped and transported under fiercest guard. The German police made in Warsaw as follows: A German in a street has been allocated, so the road was closed and all people, without exception, arrested. Then they were either deported or shot. On a tram ride through the town, I met for the first time the destruction by the war. Our trip went on Sieldce, Wolkowice, Baranowice to Minsk. Here we got to know for the first time Kältegrade than 30 °. We had no winter clothing. On the drive at night largest readiness was ordered against partisans. We all had witnessed French rifles. The ammunition, We had to, but adjusted for this weapon is not, so we had to defend not even us in the Ernstfalle.