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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by K.e.coffman (talk | contribs) at 03:05, 8 November 2017 (→Fringe theories: recent developments). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Contributions

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:

Historiography

Books and publishing houses

Historians

World War II history

Fringe theories

My editing style

My editing style tends to be WP:Bold, so I had a certain number of my edits reverted. I care about WP:Verifiability, WP:Reliability and achieving WP:Consensus with fellow editors. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a note on my talk page. Thank you and happy editing! K.e.coffman (talk) 07:55, 22 November 2015 (UTC)

Awards and kudos

Awards from WikiProject:Military History


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)


I receive an award for doing a GAR! I should do more of these!

 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 {{WPMILHIST Review alerts}} to your user space


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)


Community awards

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! GABHello! 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)

Vandal's Cross of the Iron Cross (self-awarded)

I award myself the Vandal's Cross of the Iron Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds ([Vandalekreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in Gold mit Schwertern und Brillanten] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)), for achieving, in just two days, three (3) vandalism labels; one (1) pushing-the-envelope label; and one (1) POV label, further distinguishing myself:

"Super Awesome User Page" Award

...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.)

Fan mail

Waffen-SS / Wehrmacht mythology

Nazi propaganda poster; the headline reads: "German soldier is fighting for Europe", aka "romantic heroicisation of the German army fighting to save Europe from a rapacious Communism".[1]
  • In I can almost smell the GA icon...: "I strongly oppose those mass deletions proposed by K.e.coffman. One cannot explain the performance of the Waffen-SS in Russia in merely two paragraphs." From Jonas Vinther, an editor who shortly thereafter was topic banned from World War II topics. Another editor comments: "As a general comment, the coverage of the Waffen SS is clearly excessive for this top-level article." In Schutzstaffel Talk Archives, November 2015.
  • In Mass removal of uncited or poorly cited material at 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking: " I recommend you just restrict yourself to making the language more neutral where necessary", as well as If you take this sort of action on articles on my watchlist, expect to be reverted and asked to provide reliable sources that contradict what is in the article -- right, because it's not a completely impossible thing to do. From the archives.
  • "Just noticed your recent edits to the Kurt Meyer article – thanks for your work on it. I had always felt the rest of it was a bit concerning but lacked the time or sourcing to follow it up - glad to see someone has given it a good overhaul." From the archives.
  • Extended commentary on my problematic behaviour, especially as it relates to a heavily POV and dubious article on Theodor Schere, 2015 version:
  • He have no interest in building the military history encyclopedia, and is here to just deleting information and push for his own agenda...
  • ...he is calling his "friends" (such as ÄDA - DÄP, sometimes Kierzek and others) and start accusing editors, who disagree with him, admirer for the "neo-nazi"
  • Even so if we take him serious, what he call neo-nazi publisher, surely there is stuff that's strictly factual like organizational data or movements, awards etc., is unlikely to be tainted?
  • This must stop.
link. This editor apparently created an account solely to comment on my editing. Another admiring post from the same editor:
  • So Nick-D have totally embraced K.e.coffman and started working together to remove as much as possible military history of Nazi Germany from Wikipedia. Introducing several reasons, such as questionable numbers, nazi propaganda, dubious, intricate detail, he is not noticable and so many no time to write.
  • He always is calling his "friends" (those who have total sympathy for him and his efforts to eredicate information about military history of Nazi Germany), to make sure he wins everytime!
  • He is still adding crappy or NPOV prose on his page; making sure editors are marked as nazi apologist.
link.

Special mention: Kurt Knispel

  • Not directed at me specially, but at an article that I was heavily involved with: Kurt Knispel. From the Talk page and via edit summaries:
  • 16 July 2016: Reverted good faith edits by 82.9.237.59 (talk): Copyvio http://warthunder.com/en/news/855-Special-Kurt-Knispel-the-Tank-Legend-en/
  • 30 August 2016: In effect, he is notable for being the "tank ace" with the most kills. I'd add this to the lead paragraph, except that the German article lacks a source.
  • 18 October 2016 Most of the information appears to have been deleted. this was most likely erronious (sic) or malicious.
  • 16 November 2016: What happened to all the content ? There used to be a lot of of information here about his military career, unconventional attitude to military discipline etc... why has it been deleted?
  • 4 December 2016: The stories about Knispel being a rebel are all over the internet but are almost entirely unsupportable. They credit him with everything short of X-ray vision and Daniel Boone shooting prowess. (...) I have yet to read anything credible which backs these claims up and I'm pleased to see they have not made it into this article.
  • 9 March 2017: Restoring page after severe edit warring and mass deletions without consensus. Almost entire page was deleted.
  • 11 March 2017: Editor restores material with the edit summary: "Restoring article which was almost completely deleted without consensus. EDIT WARRING. MORE THAN 3 EDITS IN 24 HOURS" (caps in the original).
  • 11 March 2017: Apparently not being aware of what edit warring is, the editor then leaves a warning on my Talk page: diff.

Panzer aces

The Wehrmacht and its generals

Misc

*What's being done here in this article with this tag is unfortunately what's been done with many, many dozens (or more?) of articles in this and other genres that the user (that has added the tag) just doesn't like and is eventually trying (pretty much at all costs) to delete. AN/I has previously stated that this kind of editing is disruptive, but I am not suggesting (at this time) that the editor in question here is the same as the editor that was blocked in this AN/I thread. Guy1890 (talk) 00:54, 24 February 2017 (UTC)

Problematic WWII content

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:

Alternate History Department

High Moral Fiber Sub-department

  • "Soon the Russians will get to hear about the countless corpses lying along the routes taken by our soldiers, without weapons and with hands raised, dispatched at close range by shots to the head. The result will be that the enemy will hide in the woods and fields and continue to fight--and we shall lose countless comrades.}}
— Did he resign in protest? No. Order his subordinate units to stop the practice? No. Not a single Corps commander did. In Joachim Lemelsen.

Humanitarianism Award Showcase

Deserves its own subsection:

False Equivalence Sub-department

The Wehrmacht lives on

Similar cap badge as used by the current Bundeswehr mountain troops
  • Wikipedia claims "continued tradition" between the Wehrmacht and the Bundeswehr: diff, even proving a picture of the current symbol:

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.

  • Finally took on Erich Hartmann, after a discussion at Neutral point of view/Noticeboard: permalink and how many reverts?

Co-located Obfuscation Department

Special sub-section: "Expand lead with material from the article"

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:

Outstanding Achievements in Euphemismia

  • Nazi bomber pilots never "bombed" anything; instead, they:
  • Another bomber pilot who actually never bombed anything, let alone civilian targets:
From: Despite JG 2 scoring its 2,000th kill in January 1944, the ongoing defensive operations against the USAAF bomber offensive took its toll on the Jagdgeschwaders, JG 2 being no exception; Many novices and replacement pilots were killed through the first half of 1944, and more importantly the ever fewer experienced and irreplaceable Experten were also being lost.
To: Successful USAAF operations over Germany led to many novice and replacement pilots being killed through the first half of 1944; more importantly, the experienced pilots were also being lost.
Note the undertones of the "defensive operations" against the Allied aggressors with their "bomber offensive" (here's a term I've yet to see used to describe any of the German units) . Plus, "continually bombing" into "operating sorties against...". In Jagdgeschwader 2.
  • Likewise, only the British conducted "bombing campaigns", while Germany simply defended its borders: "with the country at war", "defended against", and "the Third Reich", as usual. Another instance of "Reich", with "defence attached: diff. See: Defenders of Fortress Europe (yes, there's a WWII book with this name). In Carl-Alfred Schumacher.
  • A new variant of the "Polish Campaign", "fighting in [[Polish September Campaign|Poland]]": diff. In Wilhelm Bittrich.
  • "...offensive against Poland..." instead of "invasion of Poland"

"Victim of History" Studies

German: Opfer der Geschichte Abzeichen:

The Tide of War
As the war turned against Germany,
[the unit] was forced to operate
deeper and deeper in the German heartland,
finally staging out of East Prussia
by the end of the war.
In rather POV article on Jagdgeschwader 51.
  • "For this act, Hitler condemned him in absentia and his family to death. His wife and daughters were arrested in Berlin and Denmark. They were, however released at the end of the war. Lasch was to remain until 1953 in a Soviet labor camp in Workuta, but was released in late October 1955 when, as a result of to Adenauer's Moscow visit, the remaining German prisoners or war were released."
I would say that Hitler's henchmen were not very effective (or may be this did not happen as described?) Also corrected "prisoner of war" to "war criminal" as the generals had by that point been convicted. In Otto Lasch.

Investigative Sub-committee on Abuses of Victor's Justice

Closely related to the above, this section focuses on the implementation of unfair and uncalled-for victor's justice:

Apocrypha Sub-department

Apocryphal nicknames

I'm going to start collecting nicknames of various military figures, as this appears to be a theme.

  • We've seen "Lion of Vilna"; "Lion of Yelnya" and now "Lion of Sebastopol". In Otto Hitzfeld, which also includes one of the "Who Killed JFK" investigative reporting sections:
  • "Otto Hitzfeld's nomination was rejected by Major Joachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945 and commented: "This is not a nomination!" (Only leadership and organisational achievements, no personal bravery) he additionally noted: "missing in cauldron AOK 11". The nomination was thus assessed as insufficient as well as postponed according to AHA 44 Ziff. 572...." More at: Otto Hitzfeld#Notes.
  • Yet another "Lion", this time "Lion of Cherkassy". In Theo-Helmut Lieb. Inquiring minds want to know where this is being sourced from, as the nicknames are unlikely (?) to be part of these generals' service records.

Gulag / Allied Treachery Sub-department

Mountains-out-of-anthills Sub-department

Ignorance Sub-department

"Ah, partisanen!"

Hall of fame

The achievement was celebrated in the Werhmachtbericht (an OKW press release, aka unadulterated Nazi propaganda) as follows:
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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[2] 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

  1. ^ Smelser & Davies 2008, p. 191.
  2. ^ The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 3, p. 271.
In Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski; the said mention required four (!) tries to remove.
  • "Infobox military biography" seriously needs "Known for" and/or "War crimes" section. In this case, the massacre at Babi Yar was listed under Battles/wars. Yes, slaughtering defenseless civilians, away from the front lines, is a "battle". In Walther von Reichenau.

Three Wehrmacht alibis

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"

Separately, randomly came across this on a Talk page:

"It is fairly well established that the effectiveness of the Blitzkrieg has been exaggerated by commentators who remain excessively under the spell cast by the sheer shock and drama of the German offensives, and have therefore overrated the impact on war of military methods which represented more of an improvisation than the fruition of a coherent doctrine. The potential of motorised internal combustion engine-based weaponry and logistics was less fully grasped than talk of Blitzkrieg might suggest. Aside from this analytical issue, there is also a question whether the fighting quality of the Wehrmacht has in fact been exagger- ated. Both were to become apparent with Operation Barbarossa. On the German side, there is still a tendency to regard their defeat as due to being beaten in "the production battle in the factories," (see K.-H. Frieser, "Kursk-Turning Point of the War?" RUSI Journal 148, no. 5 (October 2003): 80) and to minimise or ignore the extent to which they were outfought.
All-too-much of the work on the German side is based on postwar analyses of their own campaigns by German commanders and staff officers. This places the responsibility for defeat on resource issues, the size and climate of the Soviet Union, and, above all, Hitler's interventions, leading to a situation in which "the quasimythical level of excellence attributed to German operational and tactical planning" persists in the face of extensive archival evidence that highlights battlefield mistakes by German commanders. (See for example: Steven H. Newton, ed., Kursk: The German View. Eyewitness Reports of Operation Citadel by the German Commanders)"
Source: Jeremy Black. War Stories, The Journal of Military History, Vol. 69, No. 3 (Jul., 2005), pp. 827-832

#1: "That idiot Hitler!"

#2: "Brutal Russian winter"

#3: "Endless waves of men and tanks"

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

Dubious unsourced claims and POV language

"Bled itself white" & more poetic language

Surrender? Never!

  • Why always "captured" and never "taken prisoner" or "surrendered"? In Hans Boeckh-Behrens and dozens, if not hundreds, of other articles.
    • Even in section names: "Italian front and "capture". Perhaps it is just a "Germanised" turn of phrase, but it reads rather POV: i.e. Germany was not defeated; instead, it was overrun by "overwhelming masses of Allied men, tanks and aircraft" and its soldiers never laid down their weapons and surrendered, but were "captured"? In Gerhard von Schwerin.
    • The German forces "surrendered" but the general was "captured". That does not make sense. In Werner Sanne.
  • This German general was "captured" while the caption to the infobox photo is "Hitter and corps commander Gollwitzer surrender to Soviet forces". Moreover, the article states that "his division was encircled and forced to surrender". Seriously. In Alfons Hitter.
  • In this instance, I was thinking "finally, a general surrenders!" But no, in the very next sentence, we get "capture" again. And another frequent reference: "released from captivity", as well. In Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben.
  • Here, we are apparently to feel sorry for the general whose army had been "decimated" before he assumed command. He was subsequently "captured", through no fault of his own. In Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.

Alternate geography

"Unneeded iconography"

Use Wikipedia to learn how you can achieve "correct wearing of the U-boat War Badge"

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.

Alternate ethnography and geopolitics

"Annihilation of Mobile Group Popov"

This deserves its own subsection:

Selective empathy

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".

Original caption: "The great expanse of Russia made controlling a front line difficult." D'uh, war is not a rest cure. Also vaguely suggestive of the "endless waves (...) submerging the supposedly superior Wehrmacht" (see Panzer Battles).
German women washing clothes at a cold water hydrant, July 1945
Special subsection: Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket

Battle of the Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket seems to have the higher proportion of "selective empathy" than most:

  • A photo caption: "The great expanse of Russia made controlling a "front line" difficult" -- boo-hoo.
  • "Hell's gate", "exhausted", "could advance no further", "the 'answer would be in the form of continued, bitter resistance'", "but even this effort", "trapped forces", "using its last reserves", "5th SS Panzer Division 'did more than any other to ensure the continued survival of Gruppe Stemmermann' ...", "rescuers", probably more in the rest of the article.
  • Same article: why are German forces always "trapped", and not encircled, surrounded, etc? Not sure how many times I've encountered this already.
  • How tragic: St Manstein could not pull the units "back to safety".

"Desperate defensive battles"

Language school

  • Wikipedia appears to be a place to learn German, plus unnecessary piping (with italics) to an article named in English; in Helmut Wick.
  • Opportunity to learn all four highest Nazi Germany's awards in just one lead; in Günther Prien, a mythical figure in WWII U-boat lore.
  • "Not a place to teach readers German", comments an editor. Quote continues: "That's a coatrack problem we just don't need. Interested readers can click related links." In Erwin Rommel.
  • Another fine example of the language school theme: many translations, plus totemic German-language unit names. I also learned the word Grundschule (elementary school). Why include info on the attendance of a elementary school in an encyclopedia? Apparently, no detail is too small for the hero. In Ernst-Georg Buchterkirch, whose propaganda photo apparently added to his notability: "Buchterkirch (left) in discussion with Generaloberst Walter Model, July 1941". The photo was erroneously included in Battle of Kursk, which took place in 1943. The latter entry belongs in the Ignorance Sub-department.
  • Propensity to refer to the German Air Force of West Germany as Luftwaffe -- link -- with definite POV undertones. In Erich Hartmann.

WP:Memorial

Starting a new section as a reflection of WP:MEMORIAL, in a literal sense:

The left side bears the insignia.[1]
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

  1. ^ Wübbe 2001, p. 395.
  • Wübbe, Walter (2001). Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille— Ein Jagdfliegerschicksal in Daten, Bildern und Dokumenten (in German). Schnellbach, Germany: Verlag Siegfried Bublies. ISBN 978-3-926584-78-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
Cited to yet another small-time, extreme-right publisher Verlag Siegfried Bublies [de]. In Hans-Joachim Marseille.

Enemy in the cross-hairs

Starting a section for capturing the moments of glorification of military violences:

  • 18 instances of "enemy" removed, including multiples in the same sentence. The prose that showed up in quotations (from the participants of events) was exactly the same: "enemy this", "enemy that". In Hans-Joachim Marseille.
  • Image included in the article with original caption (diff):
The crew of the Boeing B-17F-5, shot down by Naumann on 30 July 1943.
Let's celebrate the accomplishments of this pilot by showing the people he presumably killed! In Johannes Naumann.
Memorial to John Dundas.
What could be more appropriate and more sensitive to the war dead? In Rudolf Pflanz.

100% unadulterated Nazi propaganda (aka Wehrmachtbericht)

This section is quite large due to the amount of effort that was involved around the Wehrmachtbericht transcripts (OKW press releases).

The process

To illustrate the scope of the project, I did the following, starting soon from the time I joined MILHIST (Nov 2015):

  1. was greatly puzzled as to what the heck this thing was and why the text blocks were getting so much space, including in original German, and prominently housed in their own sub-sections;
  2. rewrote and expanded the Wehrmachtbericht article ;
  3. attempted to engage editors on related talk pages (which was ignored);
  4. initiated removal discussions on three Talk pages including Manstein, Erwin Rommel and Erich von dem Bach-Zalewski (salient quote: 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;
  5. observed the resulting blowout: [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;
  6. conducted a search for sources as to whether it was a military commendation as alleged (could not find any)
  7. initiated a discussion at the NPOV noticeboard, which may have helped sway one editor’s opinion, and
  8. am now finally able to proceed with removal of these OKW press releases (aka “historic testimony” the wording of which "is accepted at GA and FAC levels". (Apparently not any more, as 11 editors have supported the removal, at the NPOV noticeboard and various Talk pages).

Wehrmachtberichte: The Essential Collection

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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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 "17,544 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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[2] In the heavy fighting in the area of Nikopol have the Ostmark, Bavaria, Rhineland-Westphalia, Saxony, Mecklenburg, Pomerania and East Prussia Division under the command of the General of Mountain Troops Schörner and the generals Brandenberger, Mieth and Kreysing in the time frame of 5 November 1943 to 15 February 1944 in offensive and defensive actions, prevented Bolsheviks attempts to break through with cold steel[clarification needed] and inflicted heavy losses. Thereby have been captured or destroyed. 1754 tanks, 533 guns, many other weapons and other military equipment, 56 enemy aircraft have been 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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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 – discuss]:

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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) [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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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 – discuss] 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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[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

  1. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 350.
  2. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Volume 3, p. 37.
  3. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Volume 3, p. 352.
  4. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 174.
  5. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 121.
  6. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 95.
  7. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 231.
  8. ^ The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 2, p. 141.
  9. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 101.
  10. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 74.
  11. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 176.
  12. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 226.
  13. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 180.
  14. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 114.
  15. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 608.
  16. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 613.
  17. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 2, p. 35.
  18. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 2, p. 309.

Recent developments

But no, we were not quite done. There have been additional discussions and attempts to restore the Wehrmachtberichte in a different form.

  • Salient quotes:
  • The fact of the matter: it isn't vandalism. You can't start deleting editor's comments/edits on talk pages &
  • You don't delete things without discussion. Have you learned nothing yet? Dapi89 (talk) 20:40, 2 January 2017 (UTC)
  • I understand that today, the community believes that the verbatim Wehrmachtbericht transcript should not be part of the Wikipedia articles, unless the wording is addressed and commented by other secondary reliable sources. I am not challenging the consensus at this moment. -- thank God!
  • Pleased that the article that I rewrote came in handy: I think the difference is that whereas the Wehrmachtbericht was "the daily Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) mass-media communiqué and a key component of Nazi propaganda during World War II", the London Gazette was (long before the concepts of mass media or propaganda were thought of), and to some extent still is, an official report of acts of government
  • I don't quite see the point of quoting the daily communiqué verbatim, as its information content is virtually nil. More so, the claims often don't have any foundation in fact and would necessitate profound cross-referencing and double-checking.
  • You can't really compare the two works: the Gazette was, and remains, a way for bureaucracies of a country with a system of generally honest and open government to publish official notifications. In contrast, the Wehrmachtbericht was part of the propaganda machine for a totally dishonest government.
  • Salient quotes from the sole "Keep" voter: The category is useful in identifying how and why the the Wehrmachtbericht was used. it is helpful to researchers in identifying the type of mentions and 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 :-)
  • Sample quote from a "Delete" voter: 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.

Rommel: "Gentleman warrior, military genius"

Borrowing the title form a Der Spiegel article, this section is dedicated to Erwin Rommel:

"Not accused of war crimes"

  • Rommel was apparently a great humanitarian, simply because he did not have POWs shot out of hand. (That was an achievement vs the Eastern Front; still that did not make him a "humanitarian", i.e. "a person promoting human welfare and social reform", per definition).
  • Continuing with "Rommel as humanitarian" theme, editor insists on keeping "ancient and bad references for the chivalrous nature of North Africa fighting.
  • Dubious distinction and a weasel phrase that a unit was "not accused of war crimes", according to a 1950 source.
  • The Rommel legend, in full bloom: "He was noted to never have committed a war crime during his military service. He also supported the Stauffenberg 20 July plot to assassinate Hitler. He was found guilty of treason...", with the last two things demonstrably wrong, and the first one an obfuscation ("noted for not being a criminal" is a dubious honor). In Wehrmacht.
  • A classic! "While Rommel developed an admiration for Hitler, he never joined the Nazi Party". See also: "The 'I Was Not a Nazi' Polka".

Heroics

  • The word "exploits" used non-ironically.
  • Rommel is sent to Italy to "prepare a defensive line", not to participate in Operation Achse. Also, "his disagreements with Hitler reached a new level" -- this disagreements were over military matters, and moreover, Rommel appeared to have been wrong. (emphasis mine)
  • More gushing from Liddell Hart: "Awe for his dynamic generalship developed into an almost affectionate admiration for him as a man". For real.
  • The saviour Rommel: "If given more time, he may have succeeded." -- If only he had a bit more time to reenforce the Atlantic Wall, he would have "succeeded"! And succeeded at what? Repelling the Allied invasion? That's quite a bit of conjecture going on. The statement is cited to "effusive and uncritical" biography by Ronald Lewin. (Side note: The book appears to borrow design elements from the best traditions of the colonial war literature, with an intertwined palm tree and swastika embossed on the cloth cover.)

Complaining

  • Great edit summary: "Tweak WP:Peacock text, including implication that the situation was somehow unfair to the Germans".
  • Rommel ungentlemanly blames his subordinates for his own failings, while Basil Liddell Hart gushes.
  • Excellent example of Rommel's insubordination and opportunism, which appears to be presented as a point of pride in this note: "Quote from Rommel: I had maintained secrecy over the Panzer Group's forthcoming attack eastwards from Mersa el Brega and informed neither the Italian nor the German High Command. We knew from experience that Italian Headquarters cannot keep things to themselves and that everything they wireless to Rome gets round to British ears." (emphasis mine)

Random mythology

References

  1. ^ Rommel 1982, p. 85.

Special mentions, including FA/GA articles

See also: Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject Military history/Archive 134 § WWII content: Otto Kittel.2C other GA.2FFA articles

Otto Kittel (GA article)

A GA article sourced almost exclusively to Wehrmacht "guru" Franz Kurowski:

Warning: Fan fiction ahead
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
    • Kittel claimed his first victory on 22 June 1941, the opening day of Operation Barbarossa. Kittel took time to amass his personal tally of aerial victories. By February 1943, he reached 39 kills, relatively insignificant when compared with some other German aces. A large number of his Soviet victims included the IL-2 Shturmovik aircraft, leading the German Army to call him the "Butcher Killer", a nickname they had given to the tough Shturmovik.[1] -- military statistics cited to a non WP:RS source, odd language about "took time to amass" etc
    • Edith had travelled into occupied Soviet territory near the front line to marry Kittel.[2] - not notable
    • His comrade, and a member of the flight, Herbert Broennle, advised him to hide after landing, to travel only by night and use a compass on a heading of 255 degrees (north-west) which would take him to Stayara Russa, towards JG 54's base behind German lines. Broennle himself had been shot down under the same circumstances in 1941, and had experience. Kittel ran for the nearest forest after landing. Several Russian women and children saw the crash from two houses nearby and came running out. No men were in sight. When Kittel got to the forest he found he had left his emergency rations behind, having only chocolate bar with him. He continued through the forest, able to move through the forest during the day unseen, resting often. Needing to eat, he raided several empty houses and found clothes but no food. Determined to find food, and now looking like a Russian peasant, he passed through several Soviet checkpoints looking for something to eat.[3] -- potentially unverifiable
    • His Bf 109 suffered damage and Kittel returned to base, resisting the urge to chase more and risk his life. His motto was to get back in one piece and avoid risks: "Take the safe route and avoid ill-considered and wild offensive tactics".[4] -- military statistics and potentially unverifiable statements about "resisting the urge" etc
    • In the end that alone produced success. Risking himself for a single victory was not Kittel's way. Within two months his tally had risen to 17. Sometime in May 1942 Kittel claimed a further two victories, one bomber and one fighter, in a single mission. During the combat he became involved in a dogfight with two experienced opponents. Using clever tactics, the Soviet fighters tried to force him into a trap; one chasing the other in an attempt to cut him off. Kittel's aircraft was fired on several times and hit. However, he managed to escape, in the process shooting down one of the enemy fighters.[5][6] -- military statistics and potentially unverifiable statements about "not Kittel's way" etc
    • Every now and again an enemy aircraft would be sighted and shot down, but Kittel was frustrated. The ground crews kept up his spirits.[7] -- potentially unverifiable/non-notable statements about "frustrated", "spirits" etc
    • (Wing Commander) Hannes Trautloft congratulated Kittel and said the following: "I have instructed that you're no longer to be assigned as wingman. Instead you're to be sent on freie Jagd [combat patrol] on your own whenever there's an opportunity."[8][9] -- not notable / potentially unverifiable
    • Kittel, in particular, was pleased. The Fw 190 was an ideal interceptor against the tough and heavily armoured Shturmovik, his favourite target. At this point, Kittel's victory tally climbed rapidly.[10] -- not notable / potentially unverifiable ("pleased", "his favorite target")
    • His comrade, and a member of the flight, Herbert Broennle, advised him to hide after landing, to travel only by night and use a compass on a heading of 255 degrees (north-west) which would take him to Stayara Russa, towards JG 54's base behind German lines. Broennle himself had been shot down under the same circumstances in 1941, and had experience. Kittel ran for the nearest forest after landing. Several Russian women and children saw the crash from two houses nearby and came running out. No men were in sight. When Kittel got to the forest he found he had left his emergency rations behind, having only chocolate bar with him. He continued through the forest, able to move through the forest during the day unseen, resting often. Needing to eat, he raided several empty houses and found clothes but no food. Determined to find food, and now looking like a Russian peasant, he passed through several Soviet checkpoints looking for something to eat.[3] -- potentially unverifiable

References

  1. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 268.
  2. ^ Kurowski 1996, pp. 299–300.
  3. ^ a b Kurowski 1996, pp. 292–296.
  4. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 277.
  5. ^ Kurowski 1996, pp. 277–280.
  6. ^ Weal 1996, p. 16.
  7. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 281.
  8. ^ Kurowski 1996, pp. 285–287.
  9. ^ Kurowski 2007, pp. 67–69.
  10. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 288.
Saga continues
Epic edit summaries from involved editor
GAR

Heinrich Bär – FA article

More semi-fictional accounts:

  • Sources that list him with 221 aerial victories include Luftwaffe Aces by Franz Kurowski.[1]
  • Hermann Göring's personal dislike of Bär, coupled with Bär's insubordinate character and lack of military discipline, deprived him of this award.[2]
  • His first sight of a Junkers transport aircraft changed his mind and convinced him that he should become an aviator.[3]
  • Incidents like this are testimony to his often blatant disregard for higher authority, a trait that frequently landed him in trouble.[2]
  • He suffered back injuries while bailing out, but managed to walk back to the German lines; his wounds necessitated a lengthy hospital treatment.[4]
  • Thus began a comradeship which outlasted World War II.[5]

References

  1. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 122.
  2. ^ a b Kurowski 1996, pp. 103–105.
  3. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 73.
  4. ^ Kurowski 1996, pp. 83–87.
  5. ^ Kurowski 2007, p. 70.
  • Morale of the group soared following his appointment. He was considered the unofficial leader of the group and the best officer in the entire Geschwader.[1]
  • it is believed that Göring disliked Bär for his insubordinate character and strong Saxon dialect, which Göring was known to detest.[2]

26 total citations.

Erich Hartmann – GA article

A GA article built on:

  • a coffee-table book by Philip Kaplan Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe in World War WWII -- 18 citations
  • "Insidiously titled" by Toliver, Raymond F.; Constable, Trevor J. (1986). The Blond Knight of Germany. -- 20 citations

From The Myth of the Eastern Front: The Blond Knight of Germany is a "hallmark of romanization", with its "insidious" title suggesting medieval chivalry that "not only fails to characterize the conduct of the German Army in the East, but, indeed, marks its opposite".[3]

References

  1. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 107.
  2. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 96.
  3. ^ Smelser & Davies 2008, pp. 170–173.

Hans Waldmann (fighter pilot) – GA article

Article built almost entirely on the work by Gerhard Bracke:

  • Gegen vielfache Übermacht—Mit dem Jagdflieger und Ritterkreuzträger Hans Waldmann an der Ostfront, an der Invasionsfront und in der Reichsverteidigung (in German). Zweibrücken, Germany. 1997. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link),

– published by militaria and right-wing publisher VDM Heinz Nickel [de].

Walter Ohmsen – GA article

Special mention for using the term "Fortress Europe" non-ironically:

  • Ohmsen was the first German defender of Fortress Europe to sight the invasion force. His battery engaged in heavy fighting and subsequently Ohmsen was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)... (emphasis mine)

According to the linked article:

  • Fortress Europe (German: Festung Europa) was a military propaganda term used by both sides of the Second World War

Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz — currently in GAR

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.

According to a source deemed reliable for a GA article, the subject "destroyed 105 Soviet tanks in 30 minutes, with just four Panzers of his own.

Joachim Helbig (GA article)

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.

  • Via editor Roches: "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."

GA / A-class Reassessments

"Heart of the romancing ethos"

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.

Paratroop forces

  • Fallschirmjäger (World War II): the elite paratroop units are of special interest for romances, with better weapons, better training and daring raids.
    • WP:OR, citing verbatim supposed "commandments" (war-time propaganda) of these units and using two non WP:RS websites as sources.
    • Five (!) links to reenactor groups; two links to "weapons and uniforms" and a link to fan page, all in one External links section.
    • Plus the usual unsourced content full of awe for these units that still needs to be cleaned up.

Waffen-SS

These elite units (better equipment, higher strength) are fascinating to those how romanticise Nazi Germany's war effort:

  • Hubert-Erwin Meierdress: This is from a Talk page, when someone asked "What is his significance?", but deserves replicating almost in full (comment is from 2010): "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.
  • This is rich: peacock on weasel on peacock: "Helmut was one of the heroes of the 1941/42 Winter war, in the same category as August Dieckmann, Otto Baum, Georg Bochmann, Hinrich Schuldt, Otto Kumm, Wilhelm Bittrich and Hermann Fegelein". Here's more from the very next sentence: "Born in 1909, Dörner soon reminded his superiors of his true potential, winning..." Just keeps on giving: "he and his battalion soon established a reputation within the Army Group North as a crack unit. No end in sight (still the same article). Finally, the end. In Helmut Dörner.
  • "Total casualties amongst the Waffen-SS will probably never be known", the article intones, with much pathos, while Rüdiger Overmans has provided exactly such an estimate. The other set of numbers listed was citing to HIAG's successor Wenn Alle Brűder Schweigen ("When All Our Brothers are Silent"). Cue pathos. In Waffen-SS.

"Eagles of the Reich"

A representative "Eagle of the Reich"

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.

  • The report highlighted that he "has excelled in action as a fighter pilot" and that "during 449 combat flights, he has 97 kills because of his audacity". The report further described Beißwenger as having "good leadership talent" and being "positive as a National Socialist". In Hans Beißwenger.
  • Is it typical to include GPS coordinates indicating the spot where the pilot died, as well as where he is buried? diff. In Walter Oesau.
  • Deserves replicating in full, with the language of "kills", "dispatched", "personal total", "Assi" (nickname); "emerged as one of the top aces", etc.:
Battle of Britain
JG 2 took part in the Battle of Britain, operating Bf 109Es over the South Coast of England and the English Channel from bases in Cherbourg and Normandy. Major Helmut Wick emerged as one of the Battle’s top Luftwaffe aces, claiming 31 kills for a personal total of 56, before being killed (MIA) in action versus Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron in November 1940. Wick was seen to bail out successfully but was not found by German Air/Sea Rescue attempts. The Spitfire who dispatched him was immediately shot down by Oberleutnant Rudolf Pflanz. Ofw. Schnell, Ofw. Machold and Olt. Hans "Assi" Hahn also claimed heavily during this period, with 16 kills each. Some 42 JG 2 pilots were killed or made POW during the Battle.
Also present: "defense of the Reich" (italics in the original). In Jagdgeschwader 2.
  • Cannot quote them all; pls see diff, with "built a fearsome reputation", "skill and determination", "Allied bomber crews dispersing in fear", etc. In Jagdgeschwader 26.
  • A celebrated Luftwaffe ace cannot absolutely be a Nazi, editor contends, while removing cited material:
Said ace's "rabid anti-Nazi" credentials include playing jazz at a party and overhearing a conversion about the "evacuation" of the Jews. Despite frowns at his jazz performance, he's invited back for another party! In the article about 1957 West German movie Der Stern von Afrika, which the allegedly "bull shit" source (James Chapman) describes as "a "whitewash" that presented an "acceptable face of wartime heroics" in West German films of that period. He film did not portray Marseille's Nazi convictions, instead presenting his a rebel in trouble with his superiors". In Der Stern von Afrika.
  • Poetic: "East of Waluiki the duo observed a Russian air base teeming with Russian fighters. Beckh threw his aircraft into combat against a large force of LaGG-3s that appeared in the skies. While shooting down at least two Russian fighters, ... diff. Also present: Charkov. Well, at least it's not Charkow. In Friedrich Beckh.
Special mention: 55th Bomber Wing
Round One
  • Who said that fighting for "victor's justice" was going to be easy? Had to do essentially the same edit for NPOV twice; the first one was reverted with the edit summary: "erroneous to say there is anything wrong with the tone". Let's play the NPOV bingo:
    • "the crew bailed out but were later found by advancing German forces to have been shot in the head. Two of the men were found at the local Commissar's house".[citation needed] -- cn tag removal for Allied Treachery Sub-department
    • "The vast expanse of the front" -- selective empathy
    • "the severe winter" -- brutal Russian winter
    • "Charkow" -- alternate linguistics
    • "bore the brunt of Göring's supply plan" -- double! selective empathy and that idiot Hitler (or his stand-in, Goering)
    • "the meagre 90 tonnes of supplies" -- Golgotha of the 6th Army
    • "[[6th Army (Wehrmacht)|German 6. Armee]] " -- totemic value of German-language unit names
    • "celebrated their 10,000 mission" -- enemy in the crosshairs
    • "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes holder Oberfeldwebel Willi Nemitz" -- double! language school and totemic value of German-language award names
    • "Most notable during this year was the completion of KG 55's 50,000th mission" -- enemy in the crosshairs
Round Two
Round Three

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.

"His nose is long and straight"

The diffs come from alt-text content associated with the main portrait of the subject of the article:

U-boat lore

  • The U-boat wiki content is where you can spot a romancer quite easily.
    • Herbert Werner: "widely regarded as an outstanding personal memoir" is cited to amazon.co.uk, and the article is basically a retelling of said memoirs, which the historian Michael Hadley describes as a "willful distortion".
    • From the Talk page of Herbert Werner, with punctuation, capitalization, etc: IMHO Excellent article: I have recently read this excellent book by Herbert Werner,and imho this article is a very good outline of his book.Iron Coffins has in the past had its detractors,BUT i have spent a fair while doing my own research and the book is pretty accurate, the parts where it does suffer are essentially numbers ie of ships sunk ect,however it must be remembered that the Nazis AND the Allies both "cooked" their official books when they considered it in their interests,so its quite likely Werner was looking at "factual" books as HE saw them....One aspect that is often dismissed by the people who rubbish his book as "fiction" is the mine laying operation of Chesepeake Bay VA,this DID happen as werner has described it can be followed at UBOAT.NET the boat was U-230 and the dates all correspond its worth also noting Werner NEVER claimed to be the skipper on this boat,however the inconsistancy was in the number of mines dropped he says twenty four the OFFICIAL records say eight, either way IT HAPPENED it was not fiction,.....

Tiger I tank and other wonder weapons

"The Golgotha of the 6th Army"

The "tragic losses" and standing fast in the face of adversity are common themes, especially in the Battle of Stalingrad narratives:

Imaginative awards

Perfect distillation of a "WP:Memorial" article

See WP:MEMORIAL
  • Johannes Kümmel -- a WP:Memorial with
    • reverently preserved nickname: "The Lion of Capuzzo" (uncited)
    • memorial photo (literally: photo of awards being held by the commanding officer at the subject's funeral);
    • list of medals and badges;
    • list of battles not discussed further in the article;
    • ubiquitous pulp writer Franz Kurowski in bibliography;
    • dubious web sites in external links
      • including to romancer favourite Achtung Panzer, for more memorial content: Johannes Kümmel: Der Löwe von Capuzzo / The Lion of Capuzzo. Ah, now I get where the nicknames come from.

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: Janury 2016.

Problematic sourcing

Neo-Nazi sources, re-enactor websites, abuse of RS

Imprints potentially not known for rigorous works

  • Selbstverlag Florian Berger – WP:SELFPUBLISH by Florian Berger
  • Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall – imprint of writer Klaus D. Patzwall
  • R. James Bender – imprint of Roger Bender
  • NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag – imprint affiliated with Kurt Braatz
  • Motorbooks International – Imprint for motoring enthusiasts, as described on the web site: "Motorbooks is among the world's leading transportation publishers, offering books created by motoring's top photographers and writers." This area apparently includes panzers. (Although Max Hastings looks legit.)
  • Brown Books Publishing – history is not listed under 'genres', except for 'corporate histories' :-)
  • Truppenkameradschaft der 3. SS-Panzer-Division - 3rd SS Panzer Division's veterans' association (as appears in 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf); the author also wrote for HIAG's Der Freiwillige]
  • J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing -- needs an article, an imprint for Waffen-SS/Wehrmacht guru authors
  • Schiffer Publishing -- needs an update; same as above
  • Merriam Press -- needs an article; same as above
  • Amber Books (?)
  • Osprey Publishing – Mixed bag: 'mostly an illustrated publisher', but also brings out solid military history, especially on the operational side.
  • Stackpole Books – Mixed bag: published memoirs/popular histories by former high-ranking Waffen-SS members Kurt Meyer, Willi Fey, Hubert Meyer, along with scholarly works such as Rommel Reconsidered (which I read).
  • Arcadia Publishing/History Press ? "We are the largest publisher of local and regional content in America."

POV-titled sources

"In Good Faith"? Via J.J. Fedorowicz

  • Huseman, Friedrich (2003). In Good Faith: The History of 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division: Volume 1, 1939–1943. Winnipeg: J.J. Fedorowicz. ISBN 0-921991-74-6.

Yes, let's re-use the SS motto for a book title! In Heinrich Sonne

  • Schneider J. W. Their Honor was Loyalty!, R. James Bender Publishing, 1977
I had that book, which covers the Knights Cross winners of the Waffen-SS. One could argue the title could be better but the book was sound. Kierzek (talk) 12:49, 29 July 2016 (UTC)
@Kierzek: The name is rather odd, reminding me of Waffen-SS im Einsatz by Paul Hausser, with the SS motto embossed on the cloth cover. Why would someone want to put the it on the cover of a book? In any case, thanks for the comment and I renamed the section to highlight the titles, rather than the content, as the publisher decides on the title, not the author.

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:

  • Nipe, George M. Jr. (2000). Last Victory in Russia: The SS-Panzerkorps and Manstein's Kharkov Counteroffensive—February–March 1943. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-76431-186-7.

List of articles with major sourcing problems

Cleaned-up articles

Here are some of the articles already copyedited to remove above issues; further improvements are welcome:

Guru/militaria books

Here are the books I tried to check up on, but was unable to:

  • Ripley, Tim (2000). SS Steel Storm: Waffen-SS Panzer Battles on the Eastern Front 1943–1945. Osceola, Wis: MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-0937-7. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Agte, Patrick (2000). Jochen Peiper: Commander Panzerregiment Leibstandarte. J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing. ISBN 0-921991-46-0. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

Why be concerned about this?

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

Potentially problematic sources

For a general overview, see:

"Extreme admirers"

  • Jean Mabire: Known for far-right extremist views; per French wikipedia: Jean Mabire is "the specialist" of "rehabilitation of Nazism" taking the form of a presentation of the SS men as heroic and exemplary men." Per MacKenzie, Mabire "reproduces in large part the HIAG version of the Waffen-SS at war". Mabire focuses on French Waffen-SS troops and has written "a dozen" unit histories.[1]
  • Richard Landwehr "More radical guru", with 14 books, most of them having to do with Waffen-SS and, especially, its foreign volunteer units. Some of the books are self-published; some in Shelf Books (UK) or Bibliophile Legion Books (US). Incl. "very-much-romanticized" renderings (cover art and inside). 14th Waffen-Grenadier Division (1st Galician) - "clearly revisionist."[2]

Uncritical and / or apologist sources

See: Waffen-SS_in_popular_culture#Popular_history, including:

  • Paul Carell
  • Franz Kurowski (also as Karl Alman)
  • J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing#Select publications
  • Schiffer Publishing (needs an update)
  • Antonio Munoz: Specializes in various non-German ethnic groups that fought with the German army, who "needed their valiant tales of heroism retold to a public largely unaware of these men and their sacrifices." He has benefited from a close relationship with Landwehr and Siegrunen, which started in 1980s. Served as a contributing editor to Siegrunen and launched his own journal Axis Europa. Exhibited professional commitment in the quality of his research and acknowledged war crimes and crimes against humanity by the German army, which separates him from Landwehr. Shut down Axis Europa in 1999 to focus on book publishing via his imprint Europa Books, which as of 2008 had 25 titles.[2]
  • Carlos Jurado: Like Munoz, served as a contributing editor to Siegrunen. Also worked with Mark Yerger and with Ray Merriam, whose press, Merriam Press later published Siegrunen monographs.[2]

Revisionist and / or dated German-language sources

Known right-wing publishers

Other

Historians

Revisionist historians

Historians in need of English Wiki articles

My allegedly problematic bahaviour

Main page: User:K.e.coffman/My allegedly problematic behaviour

Select sub-sections:

"Vandalism"

"Deletionism"

"Campaigning"

"Nazi hunter"

New: "Coffmanising"

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.

IP tracker

Main page: User:K.e.coffman/IP Tracker

References

Citations

  1. ^ Revolutionary Armies in the Modern Era: A Revisionist Approach
  2. ^ a b c Smelser & Davies 2008.
  3. ^ Fröhlich and Heinrich 2004, p. 134.

Bibliography and further reading

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