Title: Gewissen in aufruhr /
Authors: Reisch, Günter, 1927-; Geschonneck, Erwin, 1906-2008,; Keller, Inge,
Year: 2015
Subjects: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei.; Stalingrad, Battle of, Volgograd, Russia, 1942-1943; Prisoners; Man-woman relationships; Infantry.; Prisoner-of-war camps; Iron Cross Germany.; Artillery Germany; War criminals Germany; Battles; Young men Germany.; World War, 1939-1945 Campaigns Soviet Union.; Tank warfare Germany; Antisemitism; Nazis Germany.; Bombardment.; National socialism; Soviet Union History; Germany Politics and government
Abstract: Based on the autobiography of Rudolf Petershagen, this six hour drama, takes the viewer through the trials and tribulations of Commandant Ebershagen, from the siege of Stalingrad, to his capture and imprisonment by the Soviet army. As the battle for Stalingrad continues into the Russian winter, Commandant Ebershagen struggles to maintain the morale of his troops, but the lack of food and reinforcements ultimately leads to the collapse of the German army. After the surrender of the 92nd Panzer Division, Commandant Ebershagen along with division commanders Helmudt Bloch and Gunter Liebischer are sent to a prisoner of war camp to sit out the remainder of the war. As the war continues and the Soviet army attacks Berlin, the Germans imprisoned in the camp separate into two distinct groups, the hard core Nazis and the professional officers. Each side blames the other for the collapse of the Reich. After spending years in various camps in the Soviet Union, Ebershagen is freed by the Soviets and allowed to return to Germany. Arriving in Germany, he is imprisoned by the Allies. Surprisingly, he is given much rougher treatment by his American jailers than when he was under the care of the Soviets. This multi-part story follows the trajectory of Commandant Ebershagen's life from 1942 to 1950 as he experiences defeat, imprisonment and finally rehabilitation in the aftermath of World War II.