From War Diaries to Vivid Prose
A Researcher’s Journey into the Past
As a creative non-fiction writer, I strive to vividly describe scenes for my books by imagining what the location was like eighty years ago. My sources might include narratives from veterans, personal letters, war diaries, or various documents. However, a detailed description that provides a compelling story is often rare. What I seek is information about the area—its landscape, weather conditions, and the circumstances that led to the events at hand. By understanding what transpired before, I can hopefully create a richer context that enhances the narrative and engages the reader.
Let me take an example.
From the 12th SS-Panzer Regiment war diary I read:
“The Kompanie (4) reached the southern entrance to Esquay, the commander of the I. Abteilung held a briefing, and the head of the echelon reached the church of Esquay. There the tank commanders were ordered forward for briefing by the Kompanieführer. Directly after this the village was hit by heavy enemy artillery fire. The enemy already occupied the hill north of Esquay and stood with its tanks in positions behind the slope, so they were able to detect any movement.”
My description of the scene:
It was still dusk when the 4th Company reached the southern edge of Esquay, but the sun was now rising over the horizon to the east, struggling to break through a thick layer of low, gray clouds. The muted light cast a somber tone over the landscape, enhancing the sense of foreboding that hung in the chilly morning air.
The lead tank came to a stop beside the church, and the commander of the 1st Battalion sent words to the rear of the column, instructing the tank commanders to come forward for a briefing. The grenadiers, clad in their camouflage jackets, jumped down onto the ground, shivering slightly in the chilly, raw morning air.
The few buildings in the village bore the scars of prolonged fighting. The stone church, once the pride of the community, stood in ruins. Its tower had been shot off, and the entire roof had burned away, leaving a haunting silhouette against the dawn sky. The devastation spoke of a time when this place had been vibrant and alive, now reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
Three things I had to check out to be able to substantiate the descriptions:
1) Weather
2) What did the hamlet and church look like
3) The grenadiers, how did I know they were riding on the tanks?
Question no 1: I asked “AI” the following question: What was the weather like in Esquay, Normandy June 28 1944. Also give me your sources.
AI answer:
“On June 28, 1944, the weather in Esquay, Normandy, was generally described as cloudy with occasional rain. In the days leading up to this date, the region experienced unsettled weather, typical for Normandy in late June, with overcast skies and variability in temperature. The presence of low clouds, drizzle, and sporadic sunny breaks was common, which impacted military operations during the Normandy campaign.”
For historical weather data, sources include:
1. **The National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA)** - They provide historical weather records and reports.
2. **Weather Underground** - This website allows users to search for past weather conditions recorded by various weather stations.
3. **The Army Historical Series** - The official U.S. Army history of World War II often contains weather reports and battlefield operational impacts.
Question no 2: I checked on the internet and found a photo of the church and surroundings. http://villesducalvados.free.fr/01Esquay.Notre.Dame.htm
Question no 3: Two things, the War Diary say:
“The soldiers were forced to use the tanks as vehicles presumably due to the heavy losses in armored personnel carriers”, this I found in a foot note. And another place it was stated: “The Grenadiers suffered losses due to the artillery attacks.”