The Afrika Korps From The Inside. Diary Of A German Soldier. The War In Africa.

Hello dear friends! Today we will take a look at the diary of German soldier Helmuth Orschiedt,

an Afrika Korps veteran who took part in the North African front from 1941 to

1943. We have not yet turned our attention to this theater of war, and I thought that this

urgently needs to be corrected, since this is a very interesting topic. The soldiers of the

opposing sides had to deal not only with each other, but also with nature itself!

Don’t forget to rate the video and also leave your opinion below and here we go...

Summer 1940.

In the 8th grade of the Realgymnasium (High School) at Ludwigshafen we youngsters (17 and

18 years old) were afraid we would be late to be „victorious". Most of us went to the local

recruiting office and volunteered. At that time this was a matter of honour. My father wanted

me to become an officer in the artillery like he was one. Before joining the army,

I had to pass several days examination for physical and mental fitness.

October 1940. The day of joining the

army had come. I was drafted to the reserve battalion of the 33rd. Artillery Regiment,

located at Darmstadt, Cambrai-Barracks. I got my „Abitur" (Highschool Graduation)

on the grounds of existing ratings. Basic drill began and it was tough,

specially under the supervision of senior NCOs having undergone tough training themselves

in the Reichswehr. Our chief drillmaster was Sgt. Maurus, a little man, Bavarian,

ruthless and with a voice like the trumpets of Jericho. He drilled us how to walk, great,

stand in line, march, handle the rifle (Carbine 98k) and other things „to become a soldier".

November 1940. Transfer to Landau

where the regimental HQ was stationed. Further training on the new LFH 18, 105 mm (Light Field

Howitzer). The regiment was still horse-drawn and in a transition of being motorised, i.e. the

guns got hard rubber rimmed wheels, half-track tow trucks arrived and soldiers were trained

to driving the new equipment. Training was more aimed towards handling the equipment. Our chief

drillmaster was Staff-Sgt. Wengermeyer, also Bavarian, tall, slim, tough. We respected him.

January 1941.

Transfer to the 1st Battalion A.R.33 stationed at Bergzabern. I was newcomer to a seasoned

troop which had already participated in the French Campaign. I met new comrades,

some nice men, with whom I was in touch till their death some years back.

February 1941. The entire regiment

moved to the field training camp Baumholder. We continued training together with tanks and

infantry and shot life ammunition, improved our knowledge of changing positions fast

and how to fire at tanks directly. What an experience of firing an artillery piece! I

learned driving car and light truck. Specially this was a pleasant activity because we often

drove away from the camp on state roads and on the new Autobahn, like on an excursion.

April 1941. All of a sudden we were informed

our next trip would go South to North Afrika. In a hurry all equipment received tan camouflage,

our grey uniforms were exchanged against tropical khaki, we were examined for physical fitness.