Geography of the USSR: The Ass of the World.

[TabsTabs1964]

The main communication route within the terrain, occupied by the Germans south of Leningrad, was the Chudovo-Leningrad Rrollbahn.
The road runs from Chudovo through Liuban and Tosno, passing between Pushkin and Kolpino, up to Leningrad. A distance of 117 km.



In addition, the Moscow - Leningrad railway line ran parallel to the Rolbahn Chudovo - Leningrad



In the spring of 1942, someone posted a sign in Chudovo, on the side of the road, which read: "Hier beginnt der Arsch der Welt", that is: Here begins the ass of the world.

This sign on the front of the Volchov, which was a typical display of Landser's humor, had a huge echo. Soon the word of its existence spread and it was very popular among the soldiers in the front to photograph themselves in that place. It even appeared on the newscast. And "The Ass of the World" became synonymous with the Volchov Front.



There are many photos of the place.

[TabsTabs1964]

TBSTABS collection

[TabsTabs1964]

The place really became very popular with the troops

[TabsTabs1964]

But shortly after this sign was placed, a smaller one was added in its lower right corner.

[TabsTabs1964]

The sign received official approval, as soon as General Wandel, commander of the 121st Infantry Division, arrived at the Volchov, the sign had an addition: the words "Gez. Wandel."
It is short for "gezeichnet Wandel", which translates as approved or "Signed, Wandel".



General Martin Wandel (15.04.1892 - 14.01.1943), received command of the 121st Infantry Division on July 8, 1941, integrated into the XXVIII Army Corps, fought in Army Group North during Operation Barbarossa. He won the Knight's Cross on November 23, 1941.
On October 1, 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant general, promoted on November 30, 1942 to the command of XXIV Panzer Corps that had been part during the month of August 1942 of von Paulus's Sixth Army in the initial stages of the offensive German against Stalingrad. In September the Corps was transferred to the Middle Sector of the Don, to reinforce the 2nd Hungarian Army.
Wandel assumed command on December 1, 1942, and in January 1943 his XXIV Corps was practically destroyed by the Russian offensive on the Ostrogorzk-Rossosh line, having been led past the divisions of the Italian Alpine Corps. General Wandel died on January 14, 1943 in Rossosh when his command post in Chilino was overrun. He was posthumously promoted to General der Artillerie.

The destruction of the XXIV Panzer Corps allowed, at least that the 2nd German Army to which it belonged, to escape the pocket, the real objective of Operation Little Saturn, executed in the northern sector by four Armies of the Voronezh Front, which in any case liberated Kursk on February 8, 1943 and seven days later Kharkiv.

[Woolgar]

Outstanding and fascinating work

Thank you

Nick

[Composite]

A massive effort and contribution - thank you

[TabsTabs1964]

The truth is that the famous sign has two sides. And the other one also became famous and was very photographed. It's this:


TABSTABS collection


TABSTABS collection

[TabsTabs1964]

The sign says: "Gehst du von hinnen denk an Götz von Berlichingen." Another thing is what the popular phrase meant and why it liked the German soldiers.

[TabsTabs1964]

(Götfried) Götz von Berlichingen was a German knight and soldier of fortune. Born around 1480 to a noble family in Württemberg. He owned several castles. He entered the service of Frederick I Margrave of Brandenburg in 1498. He fought in the armies of Emperor Maximilian I.





Typical decorations on the facades of buildings representing Götz von Berlichingen

In 1500, Berlichingen left Frederick's service and formed a company of mercenaries, fighting as a soldier of fortune. In 1508 with his company he fought for Albert IV of Bavaria. During the Siege of Landshut City, he lost his right arm to enemy cannon fire. He had an iron prosthesis made (which is on display today in Schloss Jagsthausen).


The orthopedic arm

He set about raiding cities, robbing merchant caravans, and kidnapping minor nobles to collect their ransoms. For all these reasons, he was placed under imperial prohibition on two occasions. He died on July 23, 1562.

Because of the second ban, the Bishop of Bamburg sent an emissary to Berlichingen Castle and demanded his surrender and he gave his famous reply: "Er kann mich im Ärsche lecken !," that is, "You can kiss my ass."

This phrase went down in history and today if you want to insult someone in Germany, just say: "Götz von Berlichingen". Your interlocutor will clearly understand that you are saying: “Kiss my….