As a scientist, he wished to document his and his company's way through wartime. His partly critical writings would have been unacceptable for promotion by the Nazi party and may have placed him at risk of arrest and he would not have been able to accomplish his mission. His collection included more than 160 letters, 2,000 photographs and five hours of film footage. Some of the records included depictions of dead German soldiers, dead civilians, burnt houses and dead horses. The majority of Machemer's reports and private letters were sent via "Feldpost" through the postal service.  A few of the documents are known to be lost, since they were numerated. In particular, exposed photos and films, were carried home by comrades.
