This pocket calendar from 1945 originates from the staff of the 17th Army under the command of General der Infanterie Friedrich Schulz and is directly connected to the dramatic final battles at the Kuban bridgehead and the later encirclement in the Courland Pocket.

General Friedrich Schulz (1897-1976) was a significant leadership figure in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He assumed command of the 17th Army in July 1943, when it was deployed at the Kuban bridgehead in the North Caucasus. The 17th Army had participated in the failed Caucasus offensive under his predecessor General Richard Ruoff and had to withdraw gradually after the defeat at Stalingrad.

The Kuban bridgehead (also called “Gotenkopf” or Gothic Head) was a German defensive position on the Taman Peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. From February to October 1943, the 17th Army held this position against massive Soviet attacks. The evacuation of the bridgehead took place in September/October 1943 as part of Operation “Brunhild,” with the 17th Army being transferred to Crimea.

Such pocket calendars with perseverance slogans were typical propaganda tools of the late war phase. They were meant to strengthen troop morale and maintain the will to fight when the military situation had long become hopeless. The calendars typically contained, in addition to the calendar itself, quotes from Nazi leaders, perseverance slogans, military maxims, and sometimes tactical instructions.

The year 1945 marked the final phase of World War II in Europe. At this time, the 17th Army under Schulz was in the so-called Courland Pocket, having been cut off from the main front in October 1944. Army Group Courland, to which the 17th Army belonged, fought a hopeless defensive battle until the capitulation in May 1945.

The use of the term “Kuban 1945” in the title is historically interesting, as German troops had already left the Kuban in 1943. This could refer to the origin or tradition of the unit, or represent a nostalgic reference to earlier combat operations. Possibly the calendar was produced for veterans of the Kuban battles who were deployed in other front sectors in 1945.

The propaganda strategy of 1945 was characterized by desperate appeals to perseverance. The Nazi leadership attempted to keep troops motivated with promises of “wonder weapons” and invocations of a supposedly imminent falling-out between the Allies. Such calendars were part of this psychological warfare directed inward.

General Schulz led the 17th Army until the capitulation in May 1945. He was taken into Soviet captivity and was not released until 1955. His leadership was considered competent, and he repeatedly attempted to avoid senseless sacrifices, which occasionally brought him into conflict with the Nazi leadership.

Such military ephemera as pocket calendars are important historical documents today. They provide insight into the everyday world of Wehrmacht soldiers and document the propaganda and motivation strategies of the final phase of the war. The used condition of this specimen suggests that it was actually carried by a soldier or officer, which increases its documentary value.

Research into such objects contributes to understanding military culture, command structures, and psychological aspects of warfare. They also show how, even in hopeless situations, attempts were made to maintain military cohesion through ideological indoctrination and appeals to duty and comradeship.