To understand anything from history, it is necessary to examine all sides of a conflict – including the side that is no longer represented today, and therefore cannot speak in its own defense.
Iranians seem to be very keen on listening to alternative news sources from Iran’s official radio and television. I remember that they eagerly lapped up the BBC, VOA and Radio Israel, back when I was in Iran.
I could never figure out if genuine curiosity was behind it, or whether they were simply like dogs who are escaping from one master, and are barking for a new master.
Their tendency to make up complete BS about history – such as the idea that the British were behind Hitler – seems to show that Iranians aren’t really interested in exploring and seeking information, but merely want to interpret things based on information that is already “available”.
In psychology, this is called “schema”. People routinely compare every new bit of information that they receive with information that they already have, and judge it in that light. This is only of limited use, and some new information cannot possibly be understood by judging it based on existing “knowledge”.
Whatever the case, this blog will perhaps serve as a test for them.
Are they REALLY driven by curiosity, when they seek alternative sources of information? Or are they just looking for something to attach their hopes and worshipful attitudes to, without regard to what’s true and what isn’t?
Will Iranians make their own effort to gather information, and really read about a subject, or will they just consult with experts and let others think for them?
This is a test.
Let’s see if Iranians are genuinely interested in exploring, or whether they are purely driven by political expediency.
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Explanation of scenes:
February, 1945.
Amidst a looming catastrophic defeat, and trapped between two fronts that are shrinking inwards towards Germany, Germans look for signs of hope from the news.
Germans on the home front recycle cloth to make uniforms.
In the Schnee Eifel sector, a weary-looking German patrol crosses the Rhine and penetrates American positions.
They come under attack from Allied aircraft, but reach the American lines, ambushing American armored vehicles.
Scenes of dead Americans and destroyed Sherman tanks.
Fighting amidst the ruins of a town in the Hagenau forest region.
A german civilian is shown who is carying on with life in the midst of war and ruin, and hasn’t evacuated his dwelling.
Two destroyed American “tank destroyers” sit in the street of a German town.
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A snowstorm on the Eastern Front.
The German navy supports Germany’s beleaguered ground forces in East Prussia.
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The fortress city of Breslau prepares to resist the Soviet Red Army.
Gauleiter Hanke, General Schorner and other officials oversee the construction of barricades. The entire civilian population has been mobilized. Streetcars and anything that is at hand is used.
A bridge over the Oder River is blown up.
Civilians flee over a bridge in the Frankfurt am Oder/Kustrin sector. (This sector later bore the brunt of the most intense artillery barrage in history. In the subsequent attack, the Germans were vastly outnumbered)
Volksturm battalions – made of old men and reserves – arrive armed with anti tank weapons.
New automatic weapons are distributed (the MP44, which was the precursor of the AK-47 Kalashnikov).
Tracked remote-controllled “Goliath” robot bombs are made available.
All preparations are made to meet the impendig massive assault by thousands of Soviet tanks.
German tanks arrive.
German fighter-bombers take off despite a flooded runway. One almost crashes, as it carreens out of control through the deep water.
A crowd of young Germans watches the planes take off with apparent pride and hope.
German self-propelled guns make their way jerkily over cobbled streets.
German 88mm antiaircraft guns are being used to fire on Soviet tanks from a distance.
SS paratroopers dutifully pose for the camera, pointing their weapons dramatically.
Dead Russians lie in the road.
Knocked out Soviet tanks.
German vehicles taxi back and forth, as German defenders come under a Soviet tank attack.
At 8:50, “walking-wounded” are shown who are still being kept in the defense line.
At 9:00, a German who is commanding a Flak battery, angrily motions to the cameraman to get back.
Rocket fire is unleashed on the Soviets.
German Panther tanks counter attack, pouring fire on the Soviet tank wedge.
Smoking Soviet tank wrecks are seen in the distance.
The announcer says that Germany must force the battle in its favor to save Europe from the Soviet onslaught.
In the closing scene, German soldiers amble by, carrying German anti-tank weapons.
