Hoffeman's Diary; a fake?

[AnchorSteam]

Our old freind TIK is at it again-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_3u2hLU1MA

And he does make a good case.

The diary itself was quoted in "World at War" but first appeared (or rather, was mentioned) by Chuikov in his account of Stalingrad. Others have called it a propaganca piece, but this is the first time we see it being categorically shown to be an outright fabrication.

Is there any proof that there even was such a man serving in the 276th Regiment of the 94th Division?

[G, Y?]

Thanks for sharing.

[G, Y?]

Should add that lest we forget, Chuikov promoted Zaitsev as his "sniper" and the faux Zaitsev duel agaainst the fictional Thorwald/Konig.

[James A Pratt III]

I saw TIK video on youtube. The Soviets have a history of distorting history ect. TIK does make the case that the diary was most likely a fake.

[Linkagain]

What is Hoffeman Diary?

[Art]

Should add that lest we forget, Chuikov promoted Zaitsev as his "sniper" and the faux Zaitsev duel agaainst the fictional Thorwald/Konig.

Well, probably that's a surprising thing but Chuikov had many occupations other than "promoting" a sergeant from one of his regiments. Vasiliy Zaitsev was awarded the order of Red Star and HSU title by recommendation of this division command. The duel story was not mentioned in this recommendation at all. The source of the story is actually the memoir of Zaitsev himself. That the German guys on the front didn't show him their IDs when he shot them can hardly by blamed on Zaitsev.

[Art]

There is a statement in the video that on 18 November 1942 was not in the suburbs of Stalingrad anymore and was relocated to the northern section of the front. However the Lage Ost map from this day shows this division in its former area near Rynok-Spartanovka:



As well as several other maps from the following days. And it does seem that the division suffered rather heavy losses on 17 November when attacking Spartanovka and Rynok. In the amendment of the corps report they were quoted as 41 men dead and 108 wounded and 78 sick and missing. Here the diary entry seems to be quite accurate.

As for the Zaytsev part, I really don't get that point. Is Zaytsev supposed to be the first ever sniper in Stalingrad? Sure he wasn't. Snipers were included in the standard establishment of the rifle company after all.

In most other cases the video seems to argue with subjective and personal view expressed in the diary. These views and reactions are be definition individual, saying that they are falsified just because they contradict to other individuals is altogether wrong. 100 different people have 100 different impressions or opinions about the same situation, that's normal thing.

[Ro/Lt]

This Youtube post arguments that the diaries of German Stalingrad soldier was manufactured by the Soviets post war.
https://youtu.be/u_3u2hLU1MA
I haven’t heard about this diary before but having have a look at it makes it hard to see why someone hasn’t questioned it the same way ”The last letters from Stalingrad”?!
Here’s a link to the diary https://mrcaseyhistory.files.wordpress. ... oldier.pdf

[Art]

Two topics on the same sibject were merged.

[Art]

There is a statement in the video that on 18 November 1942 was not in the suburbs of Stalingrad anymore and was relocated to the northern section of the front. However the Lage Ost map from this day shows this division in its former area near Rynok-Spartanovka:

and also a situation map from the 6 Army staff:
https://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/pages/633937/map

[G, Y?]

Should add that lest we forget, Chuikov promoted Zaitsev as his "sniper" and the faux Zaitsev duel agaainst the fictional Thorwald/Konig.

Well, probably that's a surprising thing but Chuikov had many occupations other than "promoting" a sergeant from one of his regiments. Vasiliy Zaitsev was awarded the order of Red Star and HSU title by recommendation of this division command. The duel story was not mentioned in this recommendation at all. The source of the story is actually the memoir of Zaitsev himself. That the German guys on the front didn't show him their IDs when he shot them can hardly by blamed on Zaitsev.

Chuikov also mentions the duel in his memoirs. Anthony Beevor addresses it in his book Stalingrad. British sniper and researcher Harry Furness could not find any confirmation.

[bekean]

This Youtube post arguments that the diaries of German Stalingrad soldier was manufactured by the Soviets post war.
https://youtu.be/u_3u2hLU1MA
I haven’t heard about this diary before but having have a look at it makes it hard to see why someone hasn’t questioned it the same way ”The last letters from Stalingrad”?!
Here’s a link to the diary https://mrcaseyhistory.files.wordpress. ... oldier.pdf

However, it is important to note that the authenticity of the diary attributed to him has been called into question by some historians and researchers.

[charliejone]

Chistyakov's diary is a genuine source that offers insightful information on the fnf experiences of Soviet soldiers during the war, despite the fact that some historians have questioned its accuracy.