Chapter 6. Where are we?

Charles Gregor, also a Master Sergeant in the Mobile Field Interrogation Unit Number 2, describes his experiences in Germany to German-speaking Jews in the United States. He impressively describes the contradiction between his perception of Berlin and its inhabitants on the one hand and his knowledge of the Nazi crimes on the other. 

His report is published in the New York-based exile magazine ‘Aufbau’ on 17 August 1945:

Journey Through Berlin

From a letter by M/Sgt. Charles Gregor 

In a letter from Berlin dated 14 July and written on a sheet of fine ivory paper with an embossed swastika emblem and golden letters spelling out the words “Der Führer,” M/Sgt. Charles Gregor shares the following observations and impressions from the German capital: 

“I belong to the Berlin District Headquarters and was one of the first G.I.s to enter the German capital. Hitler’s private stationery is therefore probably the right background for my little report. 

I am housed at Wannsee in Himmler’s guesthouse and enjoying this beautiful property to the full. Wannsee is still in pretty good shape [...]

As we stroll down the wide streets, people mill around us, waving and smiling at us. Children greet us. Where are we? In liberated Paris or conquered Berlin? Good-looking, impeccably dressed blonds smile at us and we try to look tough, to remember Buchenwald and Dachau... [...]

The cinemas and some theaters are open and crowded. With shy and bashful smiles that are off-putting, the population tries to make contact with the Allied troops in a sycophantic manner. They offer anything and everything. Never have I better understood Churchill’s famous words: ‘The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet.’”

When Fritz pays a visit to the former Reich Chancellery, he is directly confronted with the legacy of the Nazi dictatorship. In the Reich Chancellery and also the villa on Lake Wannsee, he finds stationery with symbols of the Nazi regime, which he uses to write his wife. Appropriating the symbols of the defeated power creates a touchpoint between the persecution inflicted by the Nazi regime and the Allied victory over Germany.

 9 July 45

Darling,

Today I had a very nice experience, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. I went into Berlin, just to see the town, and made a stop at the Reichs Chancellery. Among many other rooms I came upon Hitler’s study, which apparently only a few people had found, because there were a lot of souvenirs, among it this stationery. I found a lot of other items which I will send to various members of the family. There are two pictures of Hitler with his signature, and they may become quite valuable. My mother will get one. Those pictures should be kept, because they have value, I believe. Otherwise Berlin is one unbelievable heap of rubble, so much destruction I have never seen. But life continues. […] On the other hand, though, the individual Russian soldier looks like hell and takes everything he can lay his hands on. That of course is to be resented. We certainly are no angels, but we aren’t that bad. Maybe I’ll have mail tomorrow. See you then, Sweetheart. With all my love to you and Michael, 

Yours, Fritz

Once the “boys” realize the value of the items they have found, they begin to trade the “souvenirs” among themselves.

Berlin-Wannsee, 12 July 45

Darling, [...]

How do you like this stationery? It’s something different again, and from a designer’s and craftman’s point of view an excellent piece of work. Well, that Son of a Bitch certainly had the money and the power to get the best of everything, at somebody else’s expense. Sweetheart, you and my mother have probably received by now those two hand signed pictures of Hitler. Well one of the boys here wants one of them very badly, and he found a letter of Himmler’s which he is going to give me for one of the pictures. I may therefore ask you to send a picture to his wife. But more of that soon. […]

That’s all for today. With lot of love, kisses and hugs, I am Yours alone, Fritz

Berlin residents are soon able to enjoy cultural activities again. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra plays its first concert in the Titania-Palast on 26 May 1945. The Russian-German conductor Leo Borchard begins by presenting works from the German classical period and Russian late Romanticism. How can this concert be brought into harmony with the war-ravaged city and a society that participated in Nazi atrocities? 

15 July 45

Dearest Lucia, […]

I just came back from the concert. The orchestra is only a shadow of its former self in site, and the quality of its performance, but it was nice enough. They played the overture to “Oberon,” the “Romeo and Juliet” suite, and the “New world” symphony. The seat next to me was empty in more ways than one, darling, I missed you so much! I noticed something during the intermission that was so typical of the conditions in Berlin today. There were out in the foyer two very distinguished looking gentlemen, just talking to one another. When the bell rang, calling the people back to their seats they waited until everybody had cleared the lobby, and then they bent down to pick up the cigarette butts the Allied soldiers attending the concert had dropped. I was able to observe this because I was among the last ones to go back into the theatre. […]

With all my love to you and Michael, yours Fritz

Fritz mentions his new job for the first time in mid-July. The letter gives an impression of his daily work. 

Berlin, 18 July 45

Sweetheart,

I didn’t write last night, I felt very blue and lonesome, and that’s a bad time to write. […] Our new working place is very elaborate. I have one office […], one in the Foto-Lab, one Interrogation office, and an adjoining one with all my drafting equipment. All I need now is a secretary. Want to apply, sweetheart? You are accepted. With lots of love, 

Yours Fritz

In summer 1945, the interrogation center is used not only to question high-ranking war criminals; minor officials are screened and witness statements are recorded there as well. The unit is very busy and Fritz appears to be suffering under the weight of his responsibilities. 

Berlin, 31 July 1945

Darling,

How do you like some decent stationery again? […] We are swamped with work again, and somehow you don’t feel like working anymore. To me not much matters besides going home to you and Michael. The sooner, the better. Bob Hope’s show is in Berlin today, but I don’t think I’ll get around to seeing it. I have to argue with War Criminals instead. It’s raining and I’m in a very nasty mood. I feel like pulling the wings off a fly. Darling, the hell with the war, let’s go on a Summer Vacation, anywhere, just away from uniforms, regimentation, and people you don’t like, and you have to put up with.

I love you!

As always Yours, Fritz

He continues to write in a similar tone and with a gnawing homesickness.

Berlin, 1 Aug 45

My Darling,

I’m so tired right now, I can hardly write my own name. We are really swamped with work, and the type of cases we are handling now requires a lot of concentration, and detailed investigation. […] Darling, every day I want to be home more than ever. I think I can’t stand it over here much longer, I’ve got enough! What kind of a life is it, away from your wife and child? But I don’t want to make you feel blue, it’s bad enough if I feel bad tonight. Can I help it if I love you so much?

With a big kiss for you and

Michael, 

Yours always, Fritz 

Visits to concerts and theater offer a brief reprieve during this challenging time. The Soviet occupying power makes these cultural events possible as soon as the war is over. The Hebbel Theatre on Stresemannstraße in the American sector also reopens. Fritz attends familiar plays such as “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptman, one of the most successful theatrical productions of the Weimar Republic.

Berlin, 17 Aug 45

My Darling, […]

We went into Berlin, and were fortunate enough to get tickets for the theatre. We saw the well-known, and long missed “Dreigroschenoper” (beggar’s opera). It was a good performance considering the physical difficulties under which they laboured. Part of the roof, and the walls were missing, and consequently it was a little drafty, but who cares. […]  I’m looking forward to the time when we will be working on our album of photos, and souvenirs, probably stretched out all over the floor, with Michael crawling all over us. 

Darling, I love you, 

 Yours with love, Fritz