The effect of Stalingrad as seen through Hunde wollt ihr ewig leben
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The document summarizes the 1959 West German film "Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben" about the Battle of Stalingrad. It discusses how the film portrayed the German soldiers who fought at Stalingrad as victims who bravely fought but were betrayed by the Nazi leadership. It also examines how the film contributed to the idea of the "clean Wehrmacht" and helped establish West Germany's identity in opposition to East Germany following World War 2. The film avoided addressing the Holocaust and focused on establishing West Germany as a Christian nation.
The effect of Stalingrad as seen through Hunde wollt ihr ewig leben
- 1. Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben Icon: Stalingrad Richard McKenzie 10 May 2012 © University of Reading 2006 www.reading.ac.uk
- 2. Stalingrad Stalingrad 2
- 3. Background – Stalingrad • Battle Sept 1942-Jan 1943 • Strategically and politically important city – Name – Industry – Controlled Volga • Paulus’ 6th Army, comprising German, Rumanian, Spanish and Italian troops • Germans occupied 90% of city, and then trapped in a pincer movement • Street fighting in civilians remain http://www.historyofwar.org/Maps/maps_stalingrad10.html in city 3
- 4. Background – Stalingrad • 1,000,000 deaths • 146,000 German soldiers killed • 91,000 German POWs • Approx 6,000 POWs returned to Germany • Last POWs returned in 1955 • First battle lost by Reich 4
- 5. Background – Stalingrad • British Pathe – http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=12121 accessed 21/2/11 • Times Archive – http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/system/topicRoot/Stalingrad_/ accessed 21/2/11 • National Archives – Map of war in East – http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/worldwar2/theat res-of-war/eastern-europe/1939/ accessed 21/2/11 • Wochenschau archiv – http://www.wochenschau-archiv.de/ log in and search under Stalingrad 5
- 6. Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben • 1959 • West German • Frank Wisbar (1899 - 1967) • “Stalingrad Generation” • “Clean Wehrmacht” • Abgrenzung from E Germany • Discussion of rearmament • Part of cinema of amnesia 6
- 7. 1950’s W Germany • Wirtschaftswunder • Bundeswehr and Rearmement – Films for – Films against • Division Sohttp://www.ena.lu/urce Beuth, "McCloy: Keine Wehrmacht, aber Selbstverteidigung", dans • W Germany on frontline Hamburger Abendblatt. 24.07.1950, No 170; 3. Jg, pp. 2. Copyright © Hamburger Abendblatt of Cold War • Return of last POWs 1955 7
- 8. “Stalingrad Generation” • “die Bösen Nazis und ihre guten Soldaten” (Baier, 1980, 39) • Brave men at the front, cultured, ordinary, betrayed and destroyed by Nazis • Wasted lives • Men coming to terms with defeat 8
- 9. “Clean” Wehrmacht • Wisse has friendship with Katja • Fight bravely and honestly • Not involved in Holocaust & war crimes • It is the Nazis and High Command that is responsible 9
- 10. Abgrenzung • Kriegspfarrer Busch • Establishes FRG as “Christian” country in opposition to GDR • Establishes church as part of resistance • Church stands with suffering Germans 10
- 11. Rearmament Debate • 1956 formation of Bundeswehr • Marching Wehrmacht begins and ends film • But disarmed Germany is defenceless 11
- 12. Elements Summed up • These elements summed up in last scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd2WrmHlOaA 12
- 13. Victims • Who are identified as the victims in the film? • Does the Holocaust fit in with this discourse? 13
- 14. Conclusion • Film part of rearmament debate • Represents experience of “Stalingrad generation” • Perpetuates myth of “clean” Wehrmacht • FRG a “Christian” country, GDR a “godless” Communist country • Fears the effects of rearmament • NS victims identified as German soldier • Does not address Holocaust 14