Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?

Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever? Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben? Movie Poster Country West Germany Directed by Frank Wisbar Release Date April 7, 1959 Language German Romanian Russian Main Cast Character Actor Oberleutnant Gerd Wisse Joachim Hansen Major Linkmann Wolfgang Preiss Gefreiter Krämer Peter Carsten Katja Sonja Ziemann Feldwebel Böse Horst Frank Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich Paulus Wilhelm Borchert

Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever? (Hunde, wollt ihr ewig Leben?) is a 1959 West-German film, directed by Frank Wisbar and based on the novel of the same name by Fritz Wöss. The young, Nazi-influenced First Lieutenant Wisse is transferred in the fall of 1942 as a liaison officer to Stalingrad. Although the German troops have conquered the city with great losses, but are already encircled by the Red Army. Many of the ordinary soldiers have realized that they are at the mercy of the opponent. But with orders from the top, the officers under General Paulus still believe in victory. As the situation worsens dramatically, Wisse recognizes the futility of this war and turns more and more away from the Nazi ideology. In the cold, almost without ammunition and food, he fights for survival on the side of the lost 6th Army.

The title is a reference to a quotation from Frederick the Great. He is said to have cried to his fleeing soldiers in anger during the battle of Kolin, who lost Prussia against Austria: "You damned rascals, do you want to live forever?". The movie was released almost simultaneously with the German award-winning film The Bridge and has many similarities to the 1993 Stalingrad.

The following weapons were used in the film Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?:

Handguns

Luger P08

Oberleutnant Gerd Wisse (Joachim Hansen) is briefly seen with a Luger P08 pistol as he flees from Soviet soldiers in the ruins of Stalingrad.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

After drawing his Luger Wisse unlocks it.

Better view of the pistol.

Sauer Model 1913

The personal weapon of Major Linkmann (Wolfgang Preiss) is a Sauer Model 1913 Pocket Pistol which is only seen in one short scene in the movie.

Sauer Model 1913 - .32 ACP

Major Linkmann pulls out his Sauer Model 1913...

... and threatens Wisse.

Promotional picture.

The pistol lies on his table.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

German, Romanian and Soviet soldiers use Karabiner 98ks. The use of this rifle is correct for the Romanians which were imported by the Germans. An even better choice would be the VZ-24 Czech Mauser that was the Romanian standard rifle in World War Two. For the Soviets, however, the rifle stands for the Mosin Nagant M91/30.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Frightened Romanians carrying their Kar98ks during the beginning of "Operation Uranus".

Two German soldiers dragging a wounded with Karabiner 98ks on their backs.

Gefreiter Krämer (Peter Carsten) holds his rifle.

Later Gefreiter Krämer aims at Major Linkmann.

Many Karabiners in a heap of weapons.

Belgian Mauser Model 1935

At least one German soldier can be briefly seen carrying a Belgian Mauser Model 1935 rifle.

Belgian Mauser Model 1935 - 7.65x53mm

The soldier in the middle between chaplain Busch (Alexander Kerst) and Wisse. Note the typical "ear" protectors.

Carcano M91/38

A Soviet soldier is briefly seen with an Italian Carcano M91/38 Short Rifle. Near at the end of the movie a German soldier throws a Carcano into a heap of weapons.

Carcano M91/38 - 6.5x52 mm

The Soviet soldier on the left next to Katia (Sonja Ziemann).

Note the shape of the magazine and the type of the barrel on the left.

Mauser Standard Modell

Many German, Romanian and Soviet soldiers are briefly seen using Mauser Standard Modell with straight bolt handles. Recognizable by the straight bolt handle, grasping grooves and the under-barrel mounted sling swivel.

Mauser Standard Modell - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German with the rifle over his back at the railway station.

Another soldier on the left which shows the grasping groove.

Clearer view of one rifle. Note the straight bolt handle.

The last Romanian soldier with the rifle.

More Romanians with their Mausers.

A German soldier shots a Soviet counterpart.

Submachine Guns

MP41

The main submachine gun of German and Romanian soldiers is the MP41 which is used by the main characters Gerd Wisse, Feldwebel Böse (Horst Frank), Kunowski (Günter Pfitzmann), Leutnant Fuhrmann (Gunnar Möller) and Major Linkmann. Oddly enough, the wooden stocks were removed and replaced with MP40 stocks. Despite this, the typical fire selector can be seen.

MP41 - 9x19mm

Wisse aims at two Soviet soldiers sneaking to his comrades.

"No prisoners are taken here. On no sides!"
Kunowski charges his MP to shoot a Soviet PoW.

After being deterred by Wisse, he examines the Soviet food bag.

Major Linkmann with his MP to form a Kampfgruppe.

Sgt. Böse holds the submachine gun in the field hospital.

The MP41 of Major Linkmann on the left next to Wisse. Note the fire selector and the plunger rotator on the end cap.

PPSh-41

PPSh-41 are the primary weapon of the Red Army. While fleeing from Russian, Oberleutnant Wisse picks up an PPSh-41.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Soviet soldier dies with PPSh-41 in hand.

Soviet soldiers with PPSh-41s during street fighting.

Wisse looks at a dead Soviet lying next to an PPSh-41.

Red Army soldiers and disguised Wisse with their SMGs over the shoulders.

Gerd Wisse with an PPSh-41 on a promotional picture.

Machine Guns

MG 42

Various MG42s are used by German including Kunowski and Romanian soldiers. The MG is shown with post-1943 vertical charging handle instead of the period-appropriate and rare slab-sided horizontal handle.

MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Two Romanian soldiers operate an MG42 on November 19th, 1942. Note the Dutch made M34 helmets which were delivered to Romania as the M39.

Detailed view of the charging handle.

An MG42 in a German dugout.

German soldiers repeal a Soviet attack.

Gefreiter Schmidt fires the Machine Gun.

A German fires the MG from the hip.

Hand Grenades

Geballte Ladung

During the first day of the Soviet attack, Oberleutnant Wisse uses a Geballte Ladung to destroy a Soviet T-34/65 "tank".

Model 24 "Geballte Ladung" ("Bundled Charge")

Wisse waits for an opportunity with the Bundled Charge.

Having succeeded in sneaking up to a tank, he throws the grenade in the open hatch.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

Gefreiter Krämer (Peter Carsten) throws a Model 24 Stielhandgranate at a Soviet squad. Later he is seen with a grenade on his belt.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" high-explosive fragmentation hand grenade

A Model 24 Stielhandgranate being thrown by him.

Gefreiter Krämer (Peter Carsten) with a grenade on his belt while presenting his new pal.

Other

10.5 cm leFH 16

The Romanian artillery department of General Codreanu (Paul Hoffmann) is equipped with WW1 German Feldhaubitze 16 howitzers.

10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 16.

Two covered howitzers in the Romanian camp.

The howitzers under attack.

Disabled howitzer.

One howitzer in the middle.

Tellermine 35

A Romanian soldier lays a Tellermine 35 on a Soviet tank.

Tellermine 35

Wisse gives the mine to the Romanian.

The Romanian placed the mine on the tank.

10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40

A 10.5 cm Feldhaubitze/Gebirgshaubitze 40 Howitzer can be seen.

Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40 field gun displayed in Hämeenlinna Artillery Museum - 105mm

The Feldhaubitze on the right.

Anti Tank Gun

German soldiers use an unknown AT Gun in the streets of Stalingrad.

For comparison: 7.5 cm Pak 97/38 anti-tank gun - 75x350mm R

Fake Tank

The Tanks in the movie are dummy tanks which had been mounted on a tractor. This configuration can be seen also in the 1959 movie The Journey.

Acting as a (not accurate) T-34/85.

Acting as a German Panzer of Oberstleutnant Kesselbach (Richard Münch).

Acting as a German Panzer of Generaloberst Hoth (Karl John).