Crabwalk by Günter Grass. Short summary

5 seconds

The plot of the work is a set of descriptions of the circumstances of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff due to a torpedo hull hit.

1 minute

In the center of the plot of the work is a characterization of the event that occurred in January 1945. On that day, the Soviet submarine, led by Captain Marinesko, destroyed the liner «Wilhelm Gustloff» of the Third Reich. This ship carried about 10 thousand people, among whom were not only representatives of the Wehrmacht, but also German civilians who were trying to escape the horrors of war.

The ship was named after a man who was an influential political leader during his lifetime. He was shot by David Frankfurt, who had Jewish roots. Within Nazi Germany, Gustloff was recognized as a martyr.

Much attention is given to the identity of Commander Marinesko, who was a hero of the Soviet Union. His actions are described in a negative light. For example, the work says that at sea he is always ready to destroy German ships, while on land he drinks alcohol and visits brothels nonstop.