A glimpse at the British intelligence material allows people to sense how the German public felt about the war against Russia. The Germans saw themselves as conducting a historical war of liberation, and in such a context the term "extermination of the enemy" was more than just an empty metaphor. This perception of the true nature and far-reaching implications of the Russian campaign also comes to light in other sources. The Germans were fully aware that what was happening in Russia was unusual for an ordinary war, and this awareness was articulated in everyday conversation. They were cognizant of the horrible consequences of this campaign and understood that it was costing the lives of millions who were dying in different ways. Each German became familiar with the war experience, including the fate of the victims of Nazi occupation and stories about the extermination.