"I SWEAR BY GOD THIS SACRED OATH: THAT I SHALL RENDER UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE TO ADOLF HITLER, FUHRER OF THE GERMAN REICH AND PEOPLE, SUPREME COMMANDER OF ARMED FORCES, AND THAT I SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE READY AS A BRAVE SOLDIER, TO GIVE MY LIFE FOR THIS OATH"

(https://www.altcensored.com/watch?v\=wutbMDycOMA)

(https://eawrap.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/wehrmacht-oath-of-loyalty/)

That was the oath that every soldier of the German Reich had to take when being commissioned as an official soldier. Yes, I also recited it when I was formally commissioned as a Wehrmacht officer with the rank of Captain or Hauptmann.

Initially, I was born into a modest family in a village in Germany in 1917. I was fortunate to have memories of my previous life and I regret nothing from it. I was born as a woman named Erika von Einzerben.

I am uncertain whether to feel fortunate or not, as I was born in the past, precisely during World War I and before World War II. I also knew what would happen to this country. I wanted to go abroad, but unfortunately, I came from a very poor family, making it impossible to travel overseas.

In the future, women will generally serve in medical roles and the rear lines. However, it would certainly be very dangerous and terrifying towards the end of the war, so I must use my memories from my previous life to start a career in the military.

It could be said that in my previous life, I had a deep understanding of history and the major events that would occur. I also feel that my physical capabilities are above average for women, possibly equivalent to or exceeding those of a man. Perhaps this is a gift from reincarnation? I am unsure about that.

I began my military career at the age of 15 due to my impressive talents in their eyes. I entered military school in 1929, when Germany was still in the Weimar Republic, and the restrictions on women joining the military were not as strict. Fortunately, I graduated in 1934, achieving the highest scores.

Because of this, I received an exemption from the German Reich and was able to continue to officer school in 1934. I graduated in early 1939 with the rank of Captain or Hauptmann. I was tasked with leading a company and performed the role very well, earning great respect from my subordinates.

My current reason and goal is simply to live safely in the future, no matter how.

August 30, 1939, 19:00. I am currently preparing my troops for a major upcoming assault. At present, I am standing in a very large field, where tanks and military vehicles are parked in such numbers that they are difficult to count.

The weather is quite cold, so I am wearing a military coat and gloves. It can be said that I am the only female soldier and officer in the Wehrmacht. Shortly, I saw a man approaching me.

The man immediately straightened his arm forward while stamping his right foot.

“Herr Hauptmann! Report: The first platoon of Company 2 has been instructed!”

“Good, have them rest.”

“Certainly, ma'am!”

He is the leader of the first platoon, a man with the rank of Oberleutnant or First Lieutenant named Fred. He is quite competent; I have trained him rigorously, and he is also very disciplined.

Previously, I had given instructions to all the soldiers under my command about the upcoming plans. This open field is extremely busy, with many soldiers from various units moving about, so much so that I sometimes find it difficult to recognize my subordinates.

Before long, a car stopped behind me, and of course, I immediately turned to face the vehicle. Four people emerged from the car, and a man then got out and greeted me. I looked at the man's rank and immediately saluted.

“Good evening,”

“Herr Oberst! I am Hauptmann Erika von Einzerben, pleased to meet you,”

“Hahaha, I already know about you, pleased to meet you too,”

The man and I shook hands. The man is Oberst Hermann Hohn, who appeared very friendly and is my superior. He is the commander of the 96th Infantry Regiment, and my company is also part of the 84th Infantry Regiment.

I would like to explain the following:

1 squad \= 8-10 people

1 platoon \= 3-4 squads

1 company \= 3-4 platoons

1 battalion \= 3-4 companies

1 regiment \= 3 battalions

“It is also a pleasure to meet you, Herr Oberst. What brings you here?”

“I happened to see you from afar and was quite curious about you since we haven’t met in person before.”

Then the Oberst patted my shoulder.

“I didn’t expect you to be so resilient, even though you are a woman.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Herr Oberst!”

“It’s no problem. I have high expectations of you as the top graduate. Don’t disappoint me!”

“Understood!”

After this brief conversation, the Oberst eventually left me. I continued to wait while checking the readiness of my troops several times. For now, they are resting as the attack will commence in a few hours.

In the upcoming invasion of Poland, I am part of Army Group North under the command of General Wilhelm von Leeb.

I am also assigned to the 2nd Corps under General der Infanterie Adolf Strauss.

The 32th Infantry Division is under Generalleutnant Franz Friedrich Böhme.

The 96th Regiment is commanded by Oberst Hermann Hohn.

And I am part of the second battalion.

The order is as follows:

North Army Group

Corps II

32th Infantry Division

96th Infantry Regiment

2nd Infantry Battalion

2nd Infantry Company (Erika von Einzerben)

That is a brief overview of my unit.

Several hours have passed, and it is now September 1 at 03:00. I had previously finished a meeting with the major and several other company commanders to discuss the war strategy. I continue to wait, repeatedly checking my military watch, feeling quite tense as I have not yet witnessed a battle firsthand.

“I must survive in my second life,”

There are several reasons why I joined the military, even though I knew that within a few years, the German Reich would lose in this most deadly conflict. First, during the rule of the German Reich, it was extremely difficult for civilians to travel abroad.

Second, all Germans abroad were expected to return and serve the Vaterland. Third, by joining the military, I could escape abroad in the final year of the war, and I already had several routes planned for escape if Germany were to lose.

The first option was through Spain, and the second was to seek assistance from the Vatican. By becoming a German military officer, I might also secure a "retirement fund" for my future.

September 1, 1939, 01:00. I was summoned by my superior for a meeting. My feelings were very tense and mixed, and for some reason, I kept glancing at the clock. Together with several officers of the same rank, I began entering a room in a building not far from the field.

"I don't know if war in real life will be like it is in the movies or not,"

Four people then entered the room, all of whom held the rank of captain or Hauptmann, making a total of five including myself. A major was already present, waiting, and he stood in front of a board on which there was a large map.

I then lined up with the other four officers, standing side by side, with me in the middle. We all saluted simultaneously, extending our hands forward and upwards.

"Heil Hitler!!!"

"Heil Hitler!!!"

(The atmosphere is currently quite tense and cold.)

I occasionally glance to the left and see that all the officers of the same rank as mine are wearing very stern and authoritative expressions. There are no smiles on their faces; the aura in this room is truly very cold.

"Herr Hauptmann, Frau Hauptmann, as you already know, Poland has rejected our offers and negotiations five times, but instead, they responded with provocative actions at the border and have attacked villages on the German-Polish border several times,"

(I don't know whether what the Major is saying is truthful or propaganda, but it’s better for me to just listen.)

"Our patience has its limits, and the Führer has reluctantly decided to resort to military action after diplomatic efforts failed over the past few years,"

"You are the hope of the entire German people and the Führer himself, so I hope you all give your best now,"

"We are the 2nd Battalion of the 96th Infantry Regiment and part of the 32nd Infantry Division, and we are the spearhead of the Blitzkrieg,"

"The goal of this war is, first, to reclaim the old German territories, or the German territories seized by the Jews after the end of the First World War,"

"Second, we will rescue the German ethnic groups oppressed in Poland,"

The Major then took a pointer and indicated the map.

"We will employ the Blitzkrieg tactic. The 3rd Panzer Division will pave the way, supported by the Luftwaffe and Artillery, and then we will advance after the Panzer Division opens the way,"

(If I'm not mistaken, the 3rd Panzer Division is part of the 19th Corps under Guderian; I wonder if I'll get to meet that historic figure?)

"We will support the right flank of the 3rd Panzer Division and advance until we reach the Tuchola Forest. Our objective is to secure all the gaps opened by the 3rd Panzer Division,"

The meeting lasted several hours, and afterward, I immediately conveyed the strategy to the officers under my command.

September 1, 1939, 03:10. I decided to personally meet all of my subordinates, who seemed to be gathering and chatting. When I arrived, all of my subordinates stood up immediately, thinking that there would be an order.

I simply smiled at them.

"No need to stand, relax; I’m just here to join you all,"

"Yes, Frau Hauptmann,"

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward, but I decided to start a conversation.

"Are you afraid of going to war?"

"No, ma'am,"

"Not at all,"

"This is for the glory of the German nation,"

"I heard that Poland attacked and killed some people at the border, I want to retaliate against them,"

They all seemed enthusiastic before the battle, and enthusiasm and confidence were valuable assets before going to war.

"Good, have you all had your rest?"

"Yes, as ordered!"

Most of them are young soldiers, probably around 20 to 30 years old, though I’m young too, as I’m only 22.

Their expressions seemed calmer than before. One of the indirect duties of an officer is to boost the morale of all their subordinates because morale is a crucial asset before going into battle.

"You are all the future generation of the German Reich, so make sure that none of you die or get injured in the upcoming battle,"

"As I’ve emphasized several times, the first objective is to survive, and the second objective is to win the battle,"

"Yes, ma'am!!"

"My grandmother brought me a lot of sausages; does anyone want some?" one of the soldiers said.

In short, we ended up chatting for quite a while, which greatly reduced the awkwardness between me and my subordinates.

The atmosphere in this area is truly bustling and striking; many mechanized units and Panzer units are checking their equipment, from refueling to loading ammunition into the Panzers and repairing vehicles or Panzers that had sustained damage.

Many other units were also seen gathering and chatting, and there were also units warming up. Of course, it’s still very dark and cold outside.

At 03:40, I then met with the other Company leaders who had previously attended the meeting with the Major.

"Hey, Frau Hauptmann Erika,"

"Hello, Herr Hauptmann Karl, Herr Hauptmann Bohn, Herr Hauptmann Gustav, Herr Hauptmann Norm,"

"Heil Hitler,"

"Heil Hitler,"

"How is the condition of your units?" I asked.

"My unit is eager and can't wait to fight," said Bohn.

"My unit has mixed feelings, but most of them are very enthusiastic," said Karl.

"My unit is the same, everyone is excited," said Gustav.

"My unit too," said Norm.

"Good, my unit is also very enthusiastic."

"Anyone want a cigarette?" asked Karl.

"Sure," said Bohn.

"I'd like one," said Norm.

"Frau Hauptmann Erika and Herr Hauptmann Gustav, don’t you want a cigarette?"

"No, no, I don't smoke," I said.

"I don't smoke either," said Gustav.

"Alright, you two are true followers of the Führer by not smoking, haha."

I could only give a slight smile at Karl's remark.

"Are you feeling nervous about the upcoming battle?" I asked.

"Honestly, yes, because our lives could be lost at any moment," said Karl.

"Maybe, I have mixed feelings, but I'll do my best to stay alive. I don't want to die young, haha, because I want to marry my fiancée after the war," said Gustav.

"You’re very lucky; I don't even have a girlfriend or a fiancée!" said Norm.

"Hahaha, you'll find one," said Bohn.

"What about you, Frau Hauptmann?"

"Well, honestly, there's no one," I said with a slightly confused expression.

(I’ve never even thought about finding a partner!)

"In that case, you and Herr Hauptmann Norm would be a perfect match," said Karl.

"Hey, I’m going to hit you!" said Norm.

"Hahaha, just kidding."

"I brought a Leica camera; would you like to take a photo together?" asked Bohn.

"Sure."

In short, the five of us ended up taking a photo together. There’s a possibility this might be the last photo we take, as the battlefield is too mysterious and terrifying—one or more of us might not survive the fight. Thinking about it sends chills down my spine, but it’s a consequence of war.

War inevitably brings casualties; every soldier going into battle has to prepare themselves and their mental state. They leave behind family, children, or wives at home.

In short, we continued chatting, growing closer to one another. Amid the conversation, many Luftwaffe planes flew overhead, sign

aling that the attack was about to begin. The Panzer forces also began to move, and I returned to my unit.

"The goal of war is not to win, but to survive," I murmured.