Hitler's last levy in East Prussia: Volkssturm Einsatz Bataillon Goldap (25/235) 1944-45

On 16 October, 1944, the 3rd White Russian Front launched its massive offensive against Heeresgruppe Mitte.

The German 4th Armee, whose line of defense stretched from Nowograd on the Narew to Memel, was quickly broken through.

This is the very personal war-diary of the adjutant of Volkssturm Einsatz Bataillon Goldap (25/235), which was activated, with a strength of 400 men, on 17 October, 1944.

Inadequately armed with Russian infantry rifles lacking slings, light machine guns and Panzerfauste, with no uniforms, entrenching tools, identity discs, blankets or medical packets, the battalion was hastily thrown into action three days later, on October 20, in the Goldap sector of the 4th Armee front, losing 76 killed and wounded in its first action.