The Battle of Berlin was a turning point for Germany. The bombing of Berlin deatroyed the homes of over a half a million people and injured almost 10,000. The author highlights the power and strength of the German airforce and Berlin’s defenses; less than 4,000 Germans were killed. Despite strong defenses, Berliners were affected by…
Author: smarshall@rollins.edu
Rioters comprised of aggitated wives congregated in Rosenstrasse. Women demanded for their husbands back from being imprisoned at the collection camp. Some thought that this women’s protest possibly helped assure that some prisoners would not go to the gas chamber. I found this incidence significant because it was one of the only protests in Nazi…
Awaiting the News
I can only imagine how Berliners that lost loved ones felt during this time. Some people were given their loved ones personal items, however, the majority of family members received nothing at all. In addition, family members had to wait to hear of the loved ones demise because the Nazis limited the number of death…
Gestapo
Gestapo were the Secret State Police that served a political function of finding those that opposed the Nazi regime. Racism and prejudice characterized Nazi theory; inferior groups were had a predisposition to crime. The Gestapo seemed to have a lot of power, having the ability to work outside of the law whenever necessary. The Gestapo…
KLV
Something I did not know prior to this reading was the Kinderlandvershickung, or KLV program. The KLV was the NAZI plan recognition of the reality of war and decision to move German children out of major urban areas. The leadership realized that Britain was not going down without a fight. Evacuation of the German civilian…
Labor Camps
The Wilhelmshagen transit camp for the laborers were in a picturesque area. The author suggests that the idyllic atmosphere on the outside might have led some new arrivals to feel relief. But the relief stopped there. The laborers were gathered together, given identity cards, and numbered on their chests. Here is an image of women…
Construction Takes Off
Hitler wanted architecture to be utilitarian. The Nazis began construction after they seized power. It seems sort of ridiculous all of the projects they undertook. They built the Olympic Stadium, the Tempelhof airport, and the Germania project. The Germania project was the plan for the new capital, with new ceremonial buildings and space for political…
Poor Conditions
The conditions during winter were especially difficult for the Berliners. I was surprised that many had to wear winter clothing while indoors because it was so cold. I did not realize that with all the restrictions on water heating, that the people did not shower as much. It makes logical sense; it was just never…
Berlin Blues
The mood within the city of Berlin shifted with the changes in the war for Germany in 1940. There was a depressing atmosphere because of strict rationing, enduring blackouts, and lost loved ones. Berliners tried to distract themselves through entertainment, such as theaters. By 1941, from the Berliners’ perspective, Germany seemed to have won the…
Blacked Out Berlin
There was a certain level of reality that Berliners had to adjust to due to the war. Windows had to be shut, headlights of cars were covered, and paint covered street corners for pedestrians. It all seemed a bit much to me initially. Air raid wardens roamed the streets reminding citizens of turn out lights…