12 | Final | Sniper on the Eastern Front | The Life of the Second Most Successful German WW2 Sniper

[@juver890]

Never underestimate the value of walking through the woods at night and bullshitting your way out of trouble

[@datadavis]

Or the unexpected morale boost of shitting your pants in front of your comrades!

[@NudeJawn]

@@datadavis never trust a fart.

[@trickydicky2908]

The things he saw, were unbelievable. I don’t see how anyone could carry on with a normal life after that.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You'd have to be a sociopath to walk away from this unscathed.

[@tonylicata7452]

Thank you for another good series. I'm not sure why I cared so much, but I was happy to learn the Viking made it.

[@geoffreyscheuerman2378]

Many Thanks for sharing that epic story. Not knowing Sepp's story to the end, I figured he would have been captured by the Soviets as historical accounts say that the 3rd Gebrigsjager Division surrendered to the Soviets. But alas, Sepp's battlefield 'smarts' get him all the way back home, as no one wants to go into Soviet captivity. Well done!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Indeed! The choice between soviet captivity and walking 160 miles, barefoot, back home, is an easy one indeed.

[@michaellindsay612]

What a brave and honorable soldier. I'm so happy he survived that terrible war.

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

@@michaellindsay612 Our current powers/leadership funded the USSR which makes it all the more sickening. The Soviet soldiers didn’t want to be there either.

[@anthonydoyle7370]

@@naughtiusmaximus830 Sadly, our current "leaders" seem hell bent on pushing us into another conflict of equally epic proportions. If they had to lead from the front a severe case of lasting peace would very soon appear.

[@shaunmcclory8117]

What is clear throughout the episodes is that it was Sepps well honed instincts that kept him alive and eventually back home sooner than most, ignore Sepps advice at your peril! Thankyou for another great true story of fighting men👍🙏

[@TrenchDiaries]

Yes, many things ring true today - like only traveling at night for example. His instincts saved him many times.

[@sirkuscustom]

And again it's time say goodbye to someone one didn't know just a short time ago, but who in the end became a close friend (even though he never knew me), well that's what the service in military is. Quite an ambivalent feeling to be honest... Thank you Jay for this piece of history, I loved every word of it, laughed and cried through it - quite a feat from you and Sepp to do it 😉. I wonder what comes on our way next, knowing you it will be something equally special and addictive..!!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you for sharing your experience my friend! It's nice to see that you could relate to the man's experience. Again, happy to have you around, the next book will be equally interesting I'm sure!

[@sirkuscustom]

@@TrenchDiaries 💙💙💙

[@johninnh4880]

Such an incredible story! Even knowing the outcome I was held in suspense on more than one occasion. His surviving the horrors, although scarred, is unbelievable. What an amazing man. I can't say how happy I am that he "made it". Thank you very much for reading this story to us.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I enjoyed this one a lot, despite all the cruelty. It's one of my favourite books and I am happy to provide it in this format. Cheers John!

[@ethanpresley9423]

Live listening to these at work makes the furnace I’m relaxing in a dirt crawl space not to bad hearing how bad it was to be a German soldier. Keep up the great work love the vids man in heavenly invested in zepps story. From Michigan America

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you very much for the kind words, I am happy to provide some entertainment for you! Greeting across the pond!

[@agentolshki4265]

I kept thinking sepps story would just end with his death. The post war escape stories are as interesting as the wartime accounts and the knowledge that the viking survived and schmittletts fate. What a gripping listen the whole story was, many thanks.

[@anthonydoyle7370]

I started listening to this story a few months ago but after the first four episodes I decided to wait until you had loaded all the parts. Thankyou for narrating it in person and not resorting to those terrible automated voices. Your effort is highly appreciated. Now I suppose I will be dipping into your other stories over the next few weeks. Danke, captain.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome sir! Happy you liked this man's story! Cheers!

[@gerrybaillon1973]

War is absolutely awful, only those who have been in combat truly understand the horror of it all. So fortunate this man survived. Thank you for sharing this !!

[@marvwatkins7029]

Thanks for reading this incredible story of Sepp's. It is surely worthy of a docudrama of it weren't so graphic and gory.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I think it could be done, but it's a hard sell today I'd guess. Saving Private Ryan was equally tough at times but is critically acclaimed!

[@stephenmoon6644]

Excellent series.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you!

[@robertmorgan258]

Thank you! Sepp's story humbled me. I have no idea what real hell is like. My life's issues or struggles are laughable.

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

The suffering was real. Some of the descriptions of extreme torture seem questionable. Under war stress why would anyone take the time or effort? The extreme atrocity stories seem to repeat in different settings also like they were spread by rumor.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Brother, your own struggles don't compete with his. Your life is your own and so are your problems. They don't get diminished by things that happened 80 years ago. However, they do put a perspective on some aspects of life, for sure. 🫡

[@michaelvalentine4867]

​@naughtiusmaximus830 no I think this man told what he saw & not rumors as he would say of hearsay

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

@@michaelvalentine4867 We really have no way of knowing. I would certainly give the benefit of doubt based on his service.

[@anthonydoyle7370]

@@naughtiusmaximus830 My grandfather went into Japanese captivity after the fall of Singapore. He related a few stories to me that are at least the equivalent in depravity as those described in this book. I can believe what he wrote here.

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Jay this has been a harrowing experience for the author and us following his journey, excellent! I wonder what ever happened to the Viking, glad he survived! He was a damaged soul , as we all who have seen combat are also Cheers 🥂

[@RonHoltsford]

Another great book and to you a great presentation you brought the book to life! I am glad he got home and especially glade Ivan didn’t pick him up ! The Russians returned a lot fewer men than they captured! Catch you on another book ! ⚓️⚓️⚓️

[@BV-fr8bf]

I read the book ong ago and still have it. Your reading was a welcome reminder of the long hard fought battles of soldiers.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you can enjoy the book again 🫡

[@stevenkingery5824]

Once again , thank you for the excellent series.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@stevekay5486]

I think sepp getting home was more important than any medal at the end. His memories were far more important than a gong.

[@howardgreer1556]

Thank you so much for posting this series. Extremely interesting and very personal, it is a unique point of view.

[@Pete-tq6in]

A great series, thank you, certainly one of the most graphic and disturbing accounts of infantry warfare I've heard, certain sections conjure up such horrific images in the mind that it's hard to fathom how those who witnessed such events could ever return to any semblance of normality in civilian life. I know that my late grandfather lived with terrible PTSD and survivor's guilt for the rest of his days, that he and so many of his generation on all sides of the conflict managed to return to civilian occupations, marry and raise children is a great testament to their strength of characters.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you! Generally speaking, humans are very good at adapting to new circumstances. My own grandfather was an NCO in the Wehrmacht, spent 4 years in the gulag and then came back to become a policeman in communist East Germany. People will find a way!

[@mauriceshanahan8758]

Thankyou for this unique perspective into Sepp's wartime story. I must say you are a great orator, it is a pleasure to here the story's you choose Thankyou.

[@TrenchDiaries]

That is very kind of you to say, I appreciate the nice words! Thank you!

[@bushboysnags]

Great story, thank you, my friend.i loved another place another time! Stoked so far for blood,dust,and snow. Love your content.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you do, my friend! Enjoy! Thank you for being here!

[@tiptoptechno]

Thanks Jay, I was totally engrossed with this series. The extra information provided like the sniper training videos and other tidbits add a lot to the viewing experience and set this channel apart. Excellent narration as always! Looking forward to seeing what you select next.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you very much! At times it's quite hard and time-consuming to do the research and added info, so I appreciate you appreciating. Still, it's quite fun to share this with a wider audience! Enjoy! 😎

[@misterlewgee8874]

Thanks for reading. Again. I appreciate a calmer quiet smooth introduction...(I found the bravado of the opening music to be challenging (however ..this is a very petty comment) but i still look forward to your next productions. Seeing the story from the other side is interesting... Thanks. Sam. 🇦🇺

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you Sam, appreciate the kind words! I'm a big fan of the new intro but I can understand that it can be quite overwhelming. It won't be here forever in this way, that's for sure 🫡

[@misterlewgee8874]

@TrenchDiaries it was just that intro music..very petty of me.. I've listened to every episode from the beginning...you have high standards to maintain. I'm looking forward to your next works. Your presentations have been enjoyable and informative. I hope your are heartened by my support and appreciation.

[@charleskleesattel6477]

Thank you so much for a very interesting story.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome, Charles! Off to the next book!

[@tonyholt90]

Just as a bit of feedback I listened to another shortened account of sepps story, from another KZbinr , although it was really good, the amount of effort and details you put in are really really good, I'm glad I've found your channel 👍 I will share with people I think would enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work 👍

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you for spreading the word and appreciating the effort that went into the series! Enjoy!

[@garyvigorito3289]

Thank You for the story. I have an English copy of the book but it does not have many of the stories and it only has 9 photos total.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Yes, the English version has considerably fewer photos. The German original has quite a few, and very gruesome photos at that. I will talk about it in the book review.

[@naturalbornskrilla3843]

Thank You.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@walterschumann2476]

Thank You

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@michaelrumfelt3106]

y excellent book and telling of it.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you!

[@jlea123-e3b]

Great reading thanks

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@mk-xg2kt]

it would be interesting if you could add a bit about his civilian life after the war

[@TrenchDiaries]

I tried but there is almost zero info available. He was living in a small village in Austria, there are no digital records at all. He died in 2010, that's all I could find out :/

[@KP-nd3bx]

Unglücklich dass er es geschafft hat. Gut gemacht 😊🇩🇰

[@TrenchDiaries]

*glücklich you mean 😎 Danke!

[@KP-nd3bx]

@@TrenchDiaries falsch buchstabiert. Entschuldige mich 😊

[@calc1657]

It's realistic to think Sepp would have been legitimately awarded the Knight's Cross due to the tactical significance of the battle on the hill and his role in that battle.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Maybe, who knows how it might have turned out, had the war gone on differently.

[@CiskeJansenvanVuuren]

Excellent episode's!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you!

[@ferpowdd]

We have to be humble and recognize that we are simple human beings. If you do something bad regardless of the circunstances, that thing will be a bad thing forever and will follow you forever. Handling german prisioners to the russians, seemed to be, despite the obvious consequences the american knew, the "right" thing to do. They were just soldiers and human beings.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Many times people do what they think is the right thing at the time. Good or bad. Reflecting on it isn't something everyone does, though. 🫡

[@simonparkinson7078]

How can anyone go back to a normal existence after that Hell on Earth? I imagine he relived the horrors for the rest of his life.

[@TrenchDiaries]

He probably did. I think the book is one way for him to cope.

[@jamescherney5874]

Sepp was wise to do everything to keep from being captured by the Russians. I had a relative who was captured by the Americans and turned over to the Russians. He spent 2 years after the end of the war in a forced labor camp in Russia before being released. He was also horrified what he saw the Russians do to the people and property of Germany at the end of the war.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I'm sure it left him a changed man 🫡 something similar happened to my grandfather.

[@jasonmaloney7352]

No this can’t the last one!?

[@TrenchDiaries]

It is, unfortunately.

[@TheDrednaught]

Poor little Olga

[@TrenchDiaries]

Poor girl...

[@daqt6079]

I’ll bet that lowlife Administration Officer who was carrying on with Olga is the very same one who reported her and framed her as being involved with Partisans. Even if this were not so, he was a disgrace as an officer and an example of everything to be held beneath contempt.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I think so too. It's honourless beyond measure. That poor girl.

[@southpakrules]

71

[@markr2289]

🎖️🫡

[@TrenchDiaries]

🫡