大象传媒

Letters Home - December 1945 鈥� Part Three

The arduous work performed by our demolition workers can be seen again in Berlin- but the workers are in gangs of women! It鈥檚 a sorry sight to see these women amidst the rubble, even when it is pouring with rain. They are women that were once middle-class and respected as yourself Mum, but now they have accepted the hard fate that has become their lot- they toil and shovel and think and perhaps who knows- reflect! One thought pervades everybody in Germany, the concern of living at the moment. Theirs are not the plans of the future, the promised new era; theirs is the hard and problematic task of finding an existence for the moment.

And at night-time a miniature war goes on between the Russian sector and the other zones. Often Russian lorries 鈥榠ntrude鈥� into the English zone in an effort to find a solitary individual, who they relieve of all their valuables, or if a girl she receives further attention. I was walking along a Berlin Strasse at eleven o鈥檆lock when a Sargeant advised me to hide my wrist-watch as his pal had been robbed by Russians the previous week, we walk around unarmed and if confronted with a revolver or rifle there is not much option of choice. If the raids become of bigger dimensions the air-raid alarm is sounded and British armoured cars are sent out- in which case the Russians soon retreat to their own sector. Three incidents of the average mentality of the Russians who are 鈥榣ording鈥� it over the Germans.

A Russian soldier was riding along the Berlin street upon his bicycle when he saw, coming from the opposite direction, a German also riding a bicycle but without his hands upon the handlebars. The Russian thought it was a 鈥榮pecial鈥� bicycle and made the German exchange bicycles.

Another Russian went into a shop and ordered three gloves- two to wear and one to carry in his hand, as the correct fashion demands.

I鈥檝e noticed the Russians are jealously learning their men in the arts of flying. Plenty of Messchershmitts with the Red Star can be seen power- diving over Berlin. The Russians have a great admiration for Berlin. They are under the impression that Hitler is hiding in the Argentine.

Coming back on our way to Brunswick we carried a freight of empty petrol cans. Several people clamoured for permission to travel on the rear wagons, which we agreed to, at the same time warning them that the Russians would force them off at the frontier. They showed us papers for entry into our zone, but the Russians cannot read them (they cannot even read their own language) and just tear them up.

By the time we reached the frontier every wagon was full of people trying to reach the safety of the English zone. At one station I saw an old man dying with hunger. As usual, we were halted at the frontier at one o鈥檆lock during the night. What a glorious time the Russian guards had! Every man woman and child was made to get off and walk back again. I saw the Russian guards grab the women鈥檚 bundles, bedding and children鈥檚 prams and throw them across the railway lines, then I saw one guard grab a child and threaten to throw it too if the women did not get off quicker. Many of the women were in tears and looked to us four English guards for help, but it was not our business and although we would dearly have liked to have given these Russians something to think about, we were only four with rifles and one sten gun whilst their number consisted of twenty two men with tommy-guns, besides being in the Russian zone. I shall always remember the terrified screams of the children as their mothers were forced to accompany some of the Russians. I was helping one old woman off a wagon who was ill and had her head bandaged, and as she came down her dead weight overbalanced me and we both fell to the ground. Immediately the Russian guard dashed to my assistance, helping me to my feet and dusting my jacket- but not a helping finger would he give to the aged woman. It was a sorry sight to see that mass of people trudging back with their prams, parcels, bundles, and other prized valuables. Many were weeping, many were past weeping, but the expression that spoke the most was of four German prisoner of wars returning back from Russia. They were complete physical wrecks- unfit for further work. Their overcoats hung upon them, their feet were wrapped in bandages (not boots) their faces were thin and haggard, but the most awful thing were their sunken and hollow eyes, which seemed to be those of corpses. They had hoped to rejoin their wives in the English sector, but now that hope was shattered by the Russians making them return back.

The war is over, the war is finished, but the aftermath is grim. Lucky and sweet England. Those that have even one grouse I would ask that they could have stood with me and gazed at the pathetic band of men women and children as they stumbled along the railway track in the cold glow of the moon, accompanied by machine-gun bursts over their heads.

Did any get through to the English zone? Oh yes! We hid eight people in the coal tender of the railway engine.

I鈥檓 enclosing some photos to give you a better idea of the awful revenge that is taking place. My own photos are being developed.

Once again I can hear that saying 鈥淧eace on Earth鈥︹�漈omorrow is Xmas, the cleaner of our room will come in as usual, to forget her sorrow. Today she has brought us a beautiful Xmas tree. I hope to take a photograph of it and especially show you Mum. A mothers鈥� love is universal, and it is fit that you should see the acts of kindness this mother has done. Out of all this misery and suffering鈥ittle acts, little kindnesses, they still serve to show that somewhere there is a Person who understands and who consoles鈥here must be!

My account is lacking in personal experiences, which I may tell you later, also I鈥檓 sorry not to wish to give you your version Bubs.

I must wish you all a happy time tomorrow for it is Xmas, I should like to see the pleasure on Dad鈥檚 face as he carves the goose (and tastes it).

Shall be with you all within the next three weeks, if you mention a train journey I may go mad. Must now consume some delightful medicine and have a gargle.

My love to you all,

Ray.

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