Background: This page is part of a larger project to trace the history of World War II as reflected in the headlines of the Völkischer Beobachter, the Nazi Party’s daily newspaper.
September 1943 was not a good month for Germany. Italy collapsed, making it necessary for Germany to divert essential resources to rescue Mussolini and set up a rump Italian state. The news on the Eastern Front was poor. Germans were forced to make major retreats.
Völkischer Beobachter: September 1943
Polish Emigre General States:
This War Was Forced on Germany
The Enemy Slogan of Summer 1939:
“No More Bloodless Victories for Hitler!”
47 Terror Bombers Shot Down over Greater Berlin
15 Warships and 70 Merchant Ships Sunk in August
Additional 30 Warships and 580,000 BRT Damaged
Entering the Fifth Year of War
Germany Is United, Strong, and Powerful
U.S. War of Nerves in the Far East
Japan Not Impressed by Oral Offensive
“Tokyo Faces Each Battle Confidently”
Why Mountbatten?
Jewish Ancestry was His Ladder to Fame and Rank
Bulgaria Bids Farewell to King Boris
The Führer’s Wreath on the Coffin of a Friend of Germany
Bitter Fighting at the Donbas Bend and near Kharkov
Our Soldiers Display Incomparable Heroism
British Unions Obey Stalin
The Southport Congress Displays Growing Radicalism
Stabs an Ally in the Back a Second Time
Italian Government’s Cowardly Betrayal
Badolgio Gives Italy Unconditionally to the Enemy— Countermeasures Taken
The top headline refers to World War I when Italy joined the Allies in 1915.
Stabbing our Troops in the Back Fails
Disloyalty Found Us Prepared
Military Countermeasures Already in Full Motion
The Führer Speaks to the German People about Italy’s Betrayal
I Expect that the Nation Will Do Its Duty in All Areas with Bitter Defiance
“We Will Now Continue the Battle Free from All Burdensome Restrictions”
Germany’s Call: Now More Than Ever!
The lead article by Wilhelm Weiß is titled “The Counter Blow.” It begins: “The entire German people, and also the world public, today are struck by the Führer’s pitiless reckoning with the Badoglio’s treasonous government in his radio speech. The nation owes deepest thanks to the Führer for his words, which shed illuminating light at a critical moment on one of the most infamous treacheries in world history.”
What Happens to Cowards!
Badoglio’s Armistice — the Most Dishonorable Document
The Traitorous Clique Surrenders All of Italy to the Enemy — A Blank Check for Further Extortion
The Leader of the Brilliant and Clever Action — from the Ostmark (the Nazi term for Austria)
How Mussolini Was Freed
The First Telephone Conversation between the Führer and the Duce — High Honors for the Liberators
The Cowardly Treasonous Trio Flees to Palermo
The King, Crown Prince, and Marshal Seek “Allied Protection”
London’s Fears about the Situation in Italy
Critical Phase of the Battle of Salerno
Conversation with the Duce’s Liberators
The article discusses the soldiers who freed Mussolini.
Battle Morale on the Eastern Front Increases Everywhere
Front Is Shortened to Avoid Unnecessary Casualties
The article says that given the force of the Soviet attack, the front was shortened to free up troops and prevent unnecessary casualties. In other words, the Germans retreated.
Mussolini’s First Speech after Liberation
“Once Again at Arms at Germany’s Side
The King Fully Responsible: The House of Savoy Betrayed the People to Save the Crown
Badoglio’s First Treachery Was before the Capitulation
The Treasonous Marshal Received USA Officers in Rome
He Also Gave Them His “Marshal’s Word of Honor”
The Anglo-American War Goal:
Europe Is to Be Turned Over to the Soviets
A Spanish Newspaper Convicts the Plutocratic Liars
Washington and Moscow Agree
“Buffer States against the Soviets Outdated”
New American Statements on Bartering Away Southeast Europe
Decisive Efforts toward Final Victory
Tremendous Increase in Japanese War Production
Tojo: The Results Will Astonish the World
Ango-American Plans
Dismember Italy
Eden’s Statement: “Sicily Will Be Separated from the Motherland”
The German Wehrmacht Protects Us from This
Bolshevist Murder Proved in Documents
Official Material on the Mass Murder in Katyn Publicly Revealed
The Purpose of the Major Withdrawals
Shortening the Front and Supply Lines, Gaining Strength and Room to Maneuver
The article attempts to explain why German retreats in Russia are militarily advantageous.
Marshal Graziani Accuses the Traitors:
They Betrayed Allies and the Italian People
Viktor Emanuel and Badoglio Revealed as Cowardly Deserters
Graziani was the only Italian marshal who remained loyal to Mussolini after Italy surrendered.
Statement on the Anniversary of the Tripartite Pact
A Fighting Community of Life and Death
Ribbentrop: “Neither Bolshevism nor the Anglo-Americans Will Ever Conquer Europe”
The Führer’s Telegram to the Duce
Italy’s New Form of Government Recognized by Germany
Also Recognized by Japan, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Manchuria
