On February 18, 1943, the Berlin Sportpalast, with a capacity of 14,000, hosted a highly orchestrated event attended by military personnel and civilians. The audience, divided among various sections of the arena, prominently featured members of the Wehrmacht and Nazi party supporters, all meticulously arranged for maximum visual impact on the cameras of 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau'. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of urgency, as evidenced by the prominent slogan displayed: 'Totaler Krieg – kürzester Krieg!' which translates to 'Total War – the Shortest War!'.

Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda, delivered a rousing address that not only aimed to rally the attendees but also aimed to reach millions of Germans listening via radio. His speech was a call to arms, urging the German populace to fully commit to the struggle against their enemies, framing it as a fight for survival that required total mobilization of society. Goebbels' message attempted to instill a sense of unity and determination among the German people during a time when the war was not going favorably for Germany.

This event and Goebbels' speech are significant not only for their immediate impact but also for their role in the broader narrative of Nazi propaganda efforts. The emphasis on total war reflected the regime's desperation as the tide of World War II was turning against Germany, and it exemplified how the regime sought to manipulate public sentiment and maintain support for the war at a time when morale could easily wane.