New Doc to Bow on History Hit

The brand-new documentary Stalingrad: The Last Letters is set to debut on History Hit on September 12.

The 1×110-minute History Hit-produced title unveils newly translated accounts that shed light on the final moments of German soldiers trapped in the ruins of Stalingrad during World War II. The documentary also follows the soldiers’ experiences from the optimistic beginning of the Russian campaign in spring 1942 through to their ultimate defeat in February 1943.

Dan Snow, historian, founder and creative director of History Hit, said: “These incredible letters provide unique insights into the experiences of these men. Written on the front line throughout the battle, they record the thoughts and feelings of the men fighting at the time of the conflict—undiluted by the passage of time. History Hit is dedicated to unearthing new stories to help tell history in new and engaging ways—these letters, along with radio recordings, video and photos, bring the battle to life like never before and provide a valuable snapshot of a nation’s radicalization and the horrors of war.”

Historian Robin Schäfer, who curated and transcribed the letters, added: “This really is a unique film—nothing else gets us this close to these men and this battle. Telling their stories in their own words helps us improve our understanding of the mindset of the men who fought for Hitler and the Reich—and as time passes and we lose the last of our veterans, these accounts and how we tell them become even more important.”