Live Fire and Leave (July and August 1917)
Diary of a Stosstrupp Leader (Part 24)
This post continues the translation of the diary of a German soldier who fought in the First World War. Readers can find links to other posts in this series in the following guide.
1 July 1917
In the morning, I stood duty for two and a half hours, after which I was free.
The atmosphere here in the rear areas (die Etappe) no longer suits me. As a front soldier, I would rather enjoy the company of my comrades.
First, however, I would like to go on home leave. The regiment, however, turned down my request. Once my course is finished, I will have return to my regiment.
5 July 1917
Brigadier General von Kesselmann (commanding general of the 52nd Infantry Division) observed a live-fire demonstration (of storm troop tactics).
In the evening, we attended a going-away party in the officers’ club.
6 July 1917
Travel day. I started out in Kovel, reached Iwanice at 2:15, joined Gefreiter Geiger in Radcyn, traveled for a bit by cart, and then completed the journey by foot, carrying my foot locker. After much walking, we reached the combat trains of 6/97 (6th Company, 2nd Battalion, 97th Infantry), where we spent the night.
7 July 1917
I reported to the headquarters of my regiment, my battalion, and, at last, my company, now in Sector B I b.
I submitted my request for leave.
8 July 1917 (Sunday)
I bunked in my old shelter, with Lieutenant Hinnenthal and Fähnrich Nolte.
While I was away, Sector B I a got badly shot up by enemy artillery. Otherwise, nothing has changed.
9 July 1917
All hands stood to in the trenches from two-thirty to four in the morning and from eight-thirty to ten in the evening. During that time, I was, needless to say, also in the trenches. In addition to this, I stood watch for two and three-quarters hours.
13 July 1917
Early in the morning, I went to III/97 (3rd Battalion, 97th Infantry) for a class on artillery.
16 July 1917
My company was relieved by 3/97 (3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 97th Infantry) and returned to the camp in the Zarucka Woods.
17.7.17
Röser, Hinnenthal, Kittel, Schwalge, Spengler and I gathered in a shed to drink punch.
A cut-off large glass bottle in a wooden frame, which bore the inscription ‘He who does not love wine, women, song …’, served as our punch bowl.
23 July 1917
My company, 4/97 (4th Company, 1st Battalion, 97th Infantry) went into the second line of trenches. I remained in the camp in Zarucka Woods.
25 July 1917
My leave was approved, to last from 27 July 1917 through 16 August 1917.
In the evening, I left Radcyn at seven fifteen and arrived in Iwanice at ten thirty. I reached Brest-Litowsk the following day at noon.
From there I went to Friedrichstrasse Station in Berlin via Warsaw, Thorn, and Schneidemühl.
I bought a saber, an undress jacket, and other things.
I visited my grandfather in Friedenau. He served in the Franco-Prussian War as a Red Hussar.
I spoke with my parents in Osterode, in the Harz region. Then I traveled there and enjoyed a fine leave.
17 August 1917
I reported to my regiment.
To be continued …
Sources
The text comes from Alwin Lydding Meine Kriegstagbuch (My War Diary), an unpublished manuscript that I found at the Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive) (Folder N 382/1).
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