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
Studio	Deutsche Film Hansa
Distributor	Deutsche Film Hansa

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Gerd Wisse	Joachim Hansen
Major Linkmann	Wolfgang Preiss
Krämer	Peter Carsten
Katja	Sonja Ziemann
Feldwebel Böse	Horst Frank
Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich Paulus	Wilhelm Borchert

Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever? is a 1959 West German war drama 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 to Stalingrad in the fall of 1942 as a liaison officer. Although the German troops have conquered the city with great losses, but are already encircled by the Red Army. Many ordinary soldiers have realized that they are at the opponent's mercy. 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 in anger to his fleeing soldiers during the 1757 Battle of Kolin, which saw Prussia defeated by 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 film Stalingrad.

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

Handguns

Luger P 08

Oberleutnant (First lieutenant) Gerd Wisse (Joachim Hansen) is briefly seen with a Luger P 08 as he flees from Soviet soldiers in the ruins of Stalingrad.

Luger P 08 - 9x19mm

Wisse draws the Luger from his pocket and releases the toggle-lock.

A slightly better view of the pistol.

Sauer Model 1913

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

Sauer Model 1913 - .32 ACP

Major Linkmann pulls out his Sauer pistol...

...to threaten Wisse.

A promotional picture.

The pistol lies on Linkmann's table.

Submachine Guns

MP 41

The main submachine gun of German and Romanian soldiers is the MP 41, which is used by the main characters Gerd Wisse, Feldwebel (Sergeant) Böse (Horst Frank), Wachtmeister Kunowski (Günter Pfitzmann), Leutnant Fuhrmann (Gunnar Möller) and Major Linkmann. Oddly enough, the wooden stocks were removed and replaced with MP 40 stocks, apparently in an attempt to make the MP 41 look like its more common cousin. Despite this, the typical fire selector is visible. It is rather odd that the production apparently had access to a large quantity of the much rarer MP 41 as opposed to the more common MP 40.

Maschinenpistole 41 - 9x19mm

Wisse aims at two Soviet soldiers sneaking up 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.

Wisse sitting next to Linkmann's hanging MP 41. Note the fire selector and plunger rotator on the end cap.

PPSh-41

PPSh-41s are the primary weapon of the Red Army. Oberleutnant Wisse picks up a PPSh-41 while disguised as a Russian.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A Soviet soldier falls backwards with his PPSh aloft while getting hit.

Soviet soldiers advancing with PPSh-41s during street fighting.

Wisse looks at a dead Soviet lying next to a PPSh.

Red Army soldiers and a disguised Wisse with their PPShs slung over the shoulders.

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

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

German, Romanian, and Soviet soldiers use Karabiner 98ks. The use of this rifle is correct for the Romanians who were equipped in part by the Germans on the Eastern Front. An even better choice would be the vz. 24 Czech Mauser, which was the standard Romanian infantry rifle in World War II. For the Soviets, however, the rifle stands in for the Mosin Nagant M91/30.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Several frightened Romanians carrying their Kar98ks during the beginning of "Operation Uranus"; the Red Army counter offensive.

Two German soldiers dragging a wounded comrade have Karabiners on their backs.

Krämer (Peter Carsten) holds his rifle.

Later Krämer aims at Major Linkmann.

Many Karabiners in a heap of weapons.

Mauser Model 1935

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

Fusil Modèle 1935 - 7.65x53mm

The soldier in the middle between chaplain Busch (Alexander Kerst) and Wisse is armed with a Belgian Mauser. The typical "ear" protectors are seen.

Carcano M91/38

An Italian Carcano M91/38 Short Rifle is seen carried by a Soviet soldier. Near at the end of the movie a German soldier throws a Carcano into a heap of weapons. Its presence can be explained as a battlefield capture from Italian forces.

Carcano M91/38 - 6.5x52mm

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 wielding Mauser Standard Modells, 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 has a Standard Modell. The grasping groove is seen.

A clearer view of one rifle. Note the straight bolt handle.

The last Romanian soldier in the line carries a Standard Modell.

More Romanians in retreat lug their Mausers.

A German soldier shoots a Soviet counterpart.

Machine Guns

MG 42

Various MG 42s are used by German soldiers, including Kunowski, and Romanian soldiers. As is common in media depicting the Battle of Stalingrad, the MG 42s are shown with post-1943 vertical charging handles instead of the period-appropriate and rare slab-sided horizontal handle.

Maschinengewehr 42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Two Romanian soldiers operate an MG 42 on November 19th, 1942. Note the Dutch-made M34 helmets, which were delivered to Romania as the M39.

A detailed view of the post-1943 charging handle.

An MG 42 in a German dugout.

German soldiers repel a Soviet attack.

Gefreiter (Acting Corporal) 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 into the open hatch.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

Obergefreiter (Corporal) Krämer (Peter Carsten) is seen throwing a Model 24 Stielhandgranate in the direction a Soviet squad. Later, he is seen with a grenade on his belt.