From the trenches to the Third Reich, never before seen diaries & photos reveal life of German Solider & Teacher Wilhelm Kurtz.
Hidden away since his death, they chart his life on the front during the first world war where he served on the western front against the French and English from 1914 to 1918.
Writing on the morning of the 11th November, Wilhelm reveals in depth his and his comrades feelings and thoughts about the armistice - giving us never before heard insight into those final moments.
His letters and diaries from 1929 onwards reveal the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and his own involvement and ultimately the defeat of Nazi Germany and his own experience of the denazification process.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:12 Title Sequence
00:02:44 Wilhelm Kurts
00:03:35 War!
00:04:19 German Army Advances
00:04:50 Mobilisation
00:05:43 August 1914
00:06:31 Wilhelm Goes To War
00:07:16 Journey To The Front
00:08:07 First Graves
00:09:02 The Front
00:09:45 Christmas 1914
00:11:13 1929 The Great Depression
00:13:22 Hitlers Ascent
00:13:49 1915 Back On The Front
00:16:20 Kaisers Birthday
00:17:03 Defences
00:18:22 Preparation
00:19:01 The First Assault
00:20:42 French Counterattacks
00:21:48 The Face Of War
00:23:41 Casualties
00:23:58 1934 Hitler's Power Grab
00:25:17 1916 Verdun
00:26:40 Advance
00:27:39 Attack The Ridge
00:30:46 The Injured
00:32:15 French Bombardment
00:33:16 1935 Nazification
00:38:09 1917
00:38:56 French POWS
00:39:43 Mines
00:41:51 Re-deployment
00:42:43 Night Bombardment & Gassing
00:43:33 1939 German Invasion of Poland. WW2 Begins.
00:45:05 1918 Operation Michael
00:46:31 Operation Georgette
00:47:41 Over The Top
00:49:30 Allies Assault's
00:51:13 The Black Day Of The German Army
00:51:57 Retreat
00:53:07 English Attack
00:53:47 October 1918
00:57:15 Anger & Despair
00:58:02 Withdrawal
00:58:25 Politcal Unrest
00:59:02 November 1918
00:59:22 Rebellions & Kaisers Abdication
01:00:13 Delegation Leaves Germany To Begin Peace Talks
01:01:39 11 November 1918
01:03:26 Marching Into Darkness
01:06:18 1946 Germany In Ruins
01:07:33 Denazification
01:08:36 Wilhelm's Account
01:11:12 The Initial Verdict
01:12:44 Wilhelm Fights To Clear His Name
01:13:31 Final Verdict
We are grateful to the family for allowing us to tell this story.
Special thanks to Bart Degroote, Zeitgeist Tours, Hoodge Crater Museum, Niek Benoot & Phillippe, Oosterlinck.
To get closer to WW1 check out the tours and sessions provided by https://www.zeitgeisttours.com/
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