Puetter, Dietrich B.: my Luftwaffe recollections (November 13, 2005)
Rank: Oberleutnant.
An interview/narrative of Dietrich B. Puetter's experiences during World War II as a prisoner of war. Oberleutnant Puetter served with the Luftwaffe. Interview took place on November 13, 2005.
ABSTRACT: Oberleutnant Dietrich B. Puetter (Tape 1, Side 1) 000 Introduction and background. 040 Effect of news that England had declared war on Germany. Puetter's shock that the English could do such a thing to Germany who were Anglophile and posed no threat to England. Hitler did not want to conquer the world but Germany did not have enough land and economic resources to support the people of Germany, therefore expansion was necessary for economic reasons. 050 Details of being shot down by the Russians, capture and initial treatment, taken to Woronesh. 120 Interrogations. 140 Transportation to the Lubyanka prison in Moscow and interrogation/torture. Weight loss from 180 lbs down to 88 lbs. 230 Escapes from the camps. 260 Help along the way and determination to survive, Block VI and the 200 men who comprised the "best of the best." 300 Formality of camp life - comradeship and friendships formed that lasted until death. 320 Block VI incident of the beams used for firewood and the ensuing Russian confusion followed by reprisals. (Church March of Jelabuga) 350 Hunger strike and the significance of this for the Russians (fear of Moscow), bribery and corruption within the camp and the loss of rations to those in charge. 430 ANTIFA and their effect on camp life (Tape 1, Side 2) 000 ANTIFA (continued) - men who were bought by "an extra portion of bread." 020 Death was preferable to treason to most German prisoners. 040 Daily conditions in the camp. Food ration, kasha. 080 Humour - the story of the stealing of oak doors from a heavily guarded plywood factory for the benefit of the Commandant's new house. This event resulted in two days off with double rations. 140 The greatest need - FOOD. Starvation and cold were the driving forces in camp life. Discussion about the difference between courage and bravery. Courage is an enduring quality that enables a man to overcome his own fears. 230 The Allies changed Germany forever, they stamped out German pride and re-educated the people so that they believed that "black was white and white was black." Not everything in the history books is true. Puetter gives the illustration of the Katyn Forest Massacre of Polish officers which was committed by the Russians but was blamed on the Germans who were consequently hanged after the Nuremberg Trials.
Interviewee: Puetter, Dietrich B.
Interviewer: Goertzen, Judith
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- PDB_529
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- July 31, 2012
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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