May 9, 1944 — Sense of Russians Coming
Transcription
9/V-[19]44
Дорогая, как всегда, на своей дорогой, а Расю, [неразборчиво] издалека на фронт, в Россию… что написам… делали с наше… и в скором… на улицу совсем [неразборчиво] что настало русских… со [неразборчиво] при тильбор обратно мне [неразборчиво] отправить и часто [неразборчиво] управляю и с матерями [неразборчиво]…
Context
This diary fragment, written exactly one year before VE Day, captures a crucial moment as the war turns. The phrase “что настало русских” suggests Raisa sensed the Soviet advance — by May 1944, the Red Army had indeed begun its massive offensive operations.
Historical Context:
- May 9, 1944: Soviet forces launched major operations in multiple sectors
- The tide had clearly turned after Stalingrad (Feb 1943) and Kursk (July 1943)
- By this date, Allied forces were preparing for D-Day (June 6, 1944)
Condition Notes: This scan is severely damaged with dark overlays, making much text illegible. The fragmentary nature reflects both physical deterioration and possibly hurried writing as conditions changed rapidly in 1944.
Personal Significance: After two years in Germany, Raisa maintains her diary despite increasingly difficult conditions. The mention of “издалека на фронт, в Россию” (far away to the front, to Russia) shows she remained connected to the war’s progress.
This may be one of her final diary entries as conditions deteriorated in the final year of war.
Source: SCAN0156 (Diary notebook №2)