The diaries were written by Demeter Hackmann, originally of Ciudeiu in Bukovina, commander of the K.u.K.(royal and imperial) Infantry regiment Hindenburg No. 69. In addition to recording day-to-day maneuvers and battles, the diary has hand-drawn color maps and lists of other officers, including many Jewish names. An obituary for Hackmann is affixed to the last page of the diary.