Berliners recall Red Army atrocities

   When I began reading this article, I was just mind blown. I couldn't believe that the Russian Army actually did this to German women. In fact, not even only German women. The Red Army did this to young girls, and basically any women that was in their path. I suppose I can understand their resentment, but I don't understand why they would take revenge on women, when they weren't involved in government affairs. They obliged to Hitler because they believed in what he said. They were brainwashed to think that Hitler was doing good, and helping their country rise to the top again. When I got to the section about Shattering Taboos, I was extremely shocked. I found it kind of cowardly that the German government is trying to stay on good terms with the Russian government. I'm not saying that they should have started a war, but I think that they should recognize what happened. Their basically ignoring what happened to their own people. The least that could be done, is to give the women that were put through all of the rape, abortion, disease, and broken marriages more sympathy and respect.What they were put through was unbelievable and unbearable, and to have their suffering ignored is just sick and heartless.

Go Team America!

   In our stimulation/game today, the purpose was to show us what an advantage the Americans had on the Germans. I was on team America and in the beginning we kind of sucked. Although we didn't get to finish our game, it was definitely clear who could have won. The Germans advantage over us was that they had a lot of tanks. Their disadvantage was the size of their army. Once we brought in Patton, it was over for the Germans. If we would have finished, our tanks would have surrounded the city. There would be many battles lost for the Germans. Ultimately, Team America would have won simply because we outnumber them in tanks and soldiers.

Valkyrie

   I thought that this movie was pretty good. In the beginning I was a bit confused on what they were trying to do and who was all involved in the plan. Towards the middle the plot was developing. They were trying to kill Hitler and they wanted the SS to take over the government. Also, was it just me or did Hitler look like he was completely high the entire movie? I don't know but, we did learn in class today that he took cocaine for the common cold so, it might be possible that they were trying to portray that in the movie. Also, what was up with that one guy moving his suitcase to the other side of the table? My understanding is that they kind of suspected that Stauffenberg was trying to assassinate Hitler. So, I'm wondering if the suitcase was never moved, would Hitler have died? The world will never know. The part of the movie that I enjoyed the most was the ending.When Stauffenberg was shot, I thought his death was meaningful. He fought until the end , I admire him for his determination. As Martin Luther King said, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."

The Holocaust Museum

   I had a good time at the Holocaust Museum, but I thought that it could have been better. First of all, I felt like our tour guide had an extremely quiet voice and whenever I turned on my headset, I couldn't hear her over the roar of the t.v. monitors. Also, I would have liked to have more time reading the articles and information that were on the walls. I felt that I was sort of rushed, and I couldn't get the full experience because of it. All of the information that I did get to read was extremely interesting. For example, when we were in the conference room, I thought that it was really neat how they had members of the conference displayed with information about them. It made me feel more like I was experiencing the conference, rather than just reading about it. Also, what was up with that food system? How could they just say that they didn't have enough food for everyone. I thought that was a bit ridiculous. But, oh well. Our cafeteria food isn't all that bad. All in all, I had a great time. Most of the information that was given to us we learned prior to going on the trip, but something like hearing from a Holocaust survivor is something that I will remember forever.

It's About Standing up for What's Right

   In class today we were talking about what the Nazis did to handicapped people, and, like any other person with a heart, I was horrified. They would take them to a castle (sorry I don't remember the name of it) and they would euthanize them.  But, I wasn't really all that shocked. Obviously the Nazis were just heartless and spineless people following Hitler's every word, but I have to wonder about the parent's of these handicapped children. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't some of the parent's just bring their children to this castle where they just exterminated all of the mentally challenged people? I mean I'm sure that this wasn't something that they did voluntarily, but why would they not try to fight until the end? If I lived in that time and I had a handicapped child, they would have to kill me before they ever found or took my child. I just would not be able to live with myself if I just gave my child up knowing that they were about to die. Honestly, what kind of parent does that? People needed to stand up for their children and just stop being slaves to Hitler. I understand that either way, your child was likely to die, but does that mean that you should easily give them up, so that you may be able to survive?

Who was to blame for the failure at Stalingrad?

   In my opinion, Hitler was definitely the one to blame for the Stalingrad loss. He was really persistent in winning the war, and I believe that was their major downfall. The soldiers were in horrible conditions. They had bad weather, barely any food, and they were running low on ammo. Now, I applaud Hitler for his determination, but there is a certain point where enough is enough. Having no food, and bad weather makes the soldiers weak. Not to mention, it makes them have no motivation for fighting when all they can think about is how they're freezing their toes off and ready to eat the person next to them. How much good would it really do to have them fight when they are starving and because of the starvation they can't focus and they're weak.
   The soldiers having no ammunition and just waiting to be terminated is ridiculous. I can't believe that Hitler would be so irrational as to have the soldiers just stand there waiting for their death, rather than retreating or surrendering. If the circumstances were better, than his plan might have worked. But, the generals didn't even believe in his cause anymore. They knew that it was a lost battle because they didn't have the resources that they needed. So, what was the point in staying and killing more men, when they could have surrendered, or retreated, and ultimately saved more lives. Even though Manstein did withdraw and leave Paulus alone, I think he ultimately made the right decision. He realized that there was no way to win without the proper resources. Way to go Manstein for disobeying Hitler!

Enemy at the Gates

   First off let me start by saying what an AWESOME movie this truly is. It really depicts how different Russia and Germany were fighting. Although in the beginning I didn't understand why the Russians were killing their own people. That was just a dumb move to me. But, maybe they thought they could spare a few cowards since they had a much larger army than Germany.Throughout the entirety of the movie I honestly thought Germany was going to win. Even though Russia had more men (larger army), the Germans were absolutely slaughtering them with their bombs and aircraft's. At least, that's how I saw it. All the techniques I saw that Russia used were guns and bombs, and I figured that couldn't possibly overtake planes that can destroy groups of people much faster than guns can.
   Although it was a good movie, the ending was just ridiculous. First of all, I think that Tania should have died. It would have made for such a better ending.But, maybe that's because I like when movies have different endings than just the typical happy ending. It would have been more realistic. Also, when Vassili went to go kill the major, he should of gotten him from far away. Come on now! It would have made him seem like more of a hero. Anyone could just shoot someone that's 5 feet away from them, it would have taken much more skill to kill the major sniper while your a snipping as well. Other than that, the movie was just great.