Children to a Degree - Growing Up Under the Third Reich (19 page)

“Karl, I think I know the reason why you don’t like team sports,” Peter ventured when he saw Karl on the side lines.

“Alright, Doctor Peter, please tell me.” Karl mirrored Peters grin.

“I think that you are not competitive,” Peter decided.

“You know what, Peter? I think that you are right. I mean, I like to succeed, but not at the expense of someone else.”

“Come on, Karl, you are not a saint,” Peter teased him.

“No, I am definitely not. And I like to learn. One of these days you have to teach me how to chase after a ball without falling flat on my face.”

“I will,” promised Peter. “In the meantime what are you up to right now? Frau Grunert told me that you had some thoughtful phone calls with Berlin. Does this have something to do with the reports you are writing for the HJ monthlies?”

“No, Peter, I am trying to get some replacements for us. I would like you to return with me to Berlin. We have the camp here in a very good shape. I hear from the school administration that they have some issues in other camps. Maybe we can stay together and solve some of their challenges.”

“I would like that very much,” replied Peter.

Sixteen

A few weeks later, Karl was summoned to Berlin. When he returned he had two other boys with him. Both of them were 14 years old and members of the HJ. One was a rather likeable fellow named Franz. The other’s name was Albert and he had a round face like a full moon. He was full of himself and exhibited a rash superior attitude towards Karl, who could not care less.

Karl knew that he had initiated all the main activities in the Stallwang camp while Albert was merely stepping into an orderly structure.

Peter was pleasantly surprised when Karl announced on his return that they only had three days to instruct Albert and Franz into the intricacies of running an orderly camp. After that, Peter would enjoy a few days with his parents and then join Karl on his next assignment.

“Please do me a favor, Karl. Why don’t you take fat head Albert under your wing while I work with Franz.  You have much more patience than I have. I can’t stand the smug expression on Albert’s face. I don’t know why, but every time I see him I feel like punching him in the nose.”

Karl laughed. “No problem, Peter. I owe you one anyhow, remember?” 

Peter shook his head. “You do?”

“Yes,” Karl assured him, “think back to the train ride.”

Karl made his way to Frau Grunert who did not at all like the idea that Karl was leaving the camp. She had called the school administrator several times and even went so far as calling the KLV officials who had redirected her call to the school superintendent.

“Well, Frau Grunert” he had replied. “If you are so convinced of Karl Veth’s abilities, then this is just one more reason for us to send him on to the camps which need him more than you do. Be happy that we did not recall him earlier. Heil Hitler.” End of conversation and of her appeal.

Karl knew none of this when he went to ask Frau Grunert if she had any final requests.

“No, Karl, other than I wish you would stay with us. Your connections to Berlin must be pretty potent, because I wanted to keep you here. I wish you luck in all of your endeavors.”

“Thank you, Frau Grunert. I don’t know anything about my connections. I just write reports and offer suggestions. But I really appreciate your kind wishes for my future. Maybe we will see each other again. Right now I am staying for another three days to assist Albert and Franz.”

He had taken one look at Albert and had speculated that this guy must be constantly hungry to support his outsized face. He was right. Albert displayed an enormous appetite. But food was becoming more and more a rare commodity and it was very seldom that the children had a chance for a second helping.

“Albert, if you feel like having an extra sandwich, why don’t you see me after you unpack.” He told the bigger boy and went back to observe Peter and Franz with their soccer practice.   

In spite of Frau Wigand’s blunder on the first day on the train, she was in charge of the camps food provisions and Karl planned to use this point to obtain some cooperation from Albert.

“You said something about a sandwich.” Albert showed up within a few minutes after Karl had teased him.

“Yes, Albert. I noticed that the rations are a little too meager for your size. Of course if you know your way around, then this will not be a problem for you.” He handed him a sandwich which he had saved for this purpose.

“What do you mean ‘if I know my way around’?” Albert asked as he took a hearty bite.

‘Well,” said Karl, “if you work with me closely during the few days we have together you will see for yourself what I mean.”

Albert promised to pay attention and he cooperated as well as he could during the next days. But as much as he tried, he was unable to detect how Karl was able to get his hands on the extra food.

Karl’s solution was not that complicated and dated a few weeks back when he had initiated the kitchen duty details. Every evening a different group of boys cleaned up the food preparation area. Actually, it was in teacher Wigand’s job description to clean the food storage and the kitchen facility. Karl had right away seen that this was another chore below the dignity of the hair-impaired Hannelore.

He had smilingly offered a deal she could not refuse. He promised her that his boys would do a super cleanup job if she would look the other way if there was ever a loaf of bread missing or some other minor edibles. He explained to her that this was necessary to assure that the boys would do an impeccable job.

Teacher Wigand agreed but added one condition, the boys were also to clean her personal room.  She asked Karl to keep this arrangement quiet. It suited him fine. As long as his kitchen detail was compensated with food, he had no problem using teacher Wigand’s laziness to the boys’ advantage.

On the last evening before his departure he let Albert in on the arrangement.

“Teacher Wigand wants our boys to clean her room?” Exclaimed Albert.

“Psss,” answered Karl, “what do you care as long as you are getting an extra sandwich in the evening?”

“As long as I don’t have to do the actual cleaning.” Albert wanted to be sure.

“No, you don’t have to do the cleaning, but you have to be very deferential to Frau Wigand. She is a Nazi member and expects to be respected.”

“What do you mean by that? You are not suggesting that I should serve her every whim?”

“No, no,” Karl assured him, “She just likes to be saluted. Keep it real snappy and loud.” Karl lowered his voice as if to let Albert in on a secret. “I think she is a bit deaf. Better you know it now than later.”

“Oh, if this is all that is required, she will be pleased how loud I am able to shout ‘Heil Hitler’. Tell me if this is satisfactory.” Before Karl had a chance to stop the moon face, Albert threw his arm in the air and shouted his salute loud enough to make it sound like a scream.

“Perfect, Albert. But don’t forget to add her name. She really dwells on it.”

“Thank you, Karl. I will salute her every time I pass her. Funny how some of the party people get off on it.”

Karl agreed and handed him next week’s schedule of the work details. “Hmm, there is another thing you should know. Frau Grunert, the camp leader, is just the opposite. She might not even like it when you greet Frau Wigand loud and often. Don’t be deterred by it. I mean, if you like the sandwiches coming your way.” He winked one eye at the moon face who understood. He winked back.

***

Karl and Peter left early the next morning and Karl did not have a chance to observe Albert’s actions. He did, however, hear from the KLV headquarters that Frau Grunert demanded that Albert be replaced.

Once back in Berlin, Karl reported immediately to his school superintendent and the Jungvolk Dienststelle, or office.

It was shortly before Christmas and the boys hoped that they could spend it at home. The KLV officials, however, had different plans. For several reasons they needed the boys badly. The school evacuation was now mandatory. But in spite of the German discipline, it took more than 18 months to get it fully organized.

First of all there was an extreme shortage of teachers. All of the able male teachers had been drafted and the older ones served in management positions in the ammunition and armament factories. Most of the female teachers were not inclined to take on class sizes in excess of 100 students. They simply joined the Nazi party to receive preferential treatment.

Second, this preferential treatment for members of the Nazi party applied not only to the teachers, but also for the children of Nazi officials.

Third, the camps themselves had to get organized. Farms were the first choice and then came the so-called resorts. Local school buildings and police stations in the country were used as dormitories and filled beyond their capacity. However, as the air attacks and casualties of the children in the targeted cities increased, severe and drastic measures were needed and instigated. It was during this time of transition that Karl and Peter were shuffled back and forth between the new camps and the KLV administration in Berlin.

They were not the only ones. There were several other sub leader teams just as active. The major difference in the other teams was the age of Karl and Peter. Both had finished the elementary school requirements two years ahead of their classmates. The other teams were not only older (14 and 15 years old) they were also expected to stay with the camp once it was established. It was Karl’s ability to write accurate reports and to relate to the children as well as to the parents and school officials that he was tasked as being more or less a trouble shooter.

In a way he was glad to have the sports-oriented Peter as his teammate. He knew Harold better and longer, but Harold was at the Napola and Peter was perfect for installing physical fitness programs for the 8 to 10-year-old kids. Harold on the other hand was like Karl. He would have been unwilling to exercise or play with a stupid ball.

“Karl, I want you to talk to a group of parents tonight. You should know that these are all high ranking Nazi members. Keep your comments strictly to the essentials.”

Karl was in the KLV headquarters building. It was the first week of December and it was bitter cold. The building was not heated and he shivered as he listened to the new administrator. It was a former artillery officer with no experience in school administration matters, but Karl did not know that.

“Any particular aspect you want me to address?” He did not need any time to prepare for the meeting but maybe the Nazi group had specific interests.

“No, but I need you to assure the parents that their children will be well cared for. None of them want their children to leave before Christmas, but due to logistics we have to move them out next week.”

“How old are the students and from what school district?”

“They are between 8 and 9 years old and not from a specific school. You need to be here at exactly 6:00 PM.”

“Not an issue, Herr Hartung.” Karl looked at the name plate on the desk. The administrator extended his hand to say goodbye. His suit showed no party emblem and Karl wondered how this able-looking man was exempt from the service. 

“I don’t know if anyone told you, but you and Peter are assigned to the transport.”

“No, Herr Hartung, we just returned from the Bavarian Forest and hoped to spend Christmas with our parents.” Karl was disappointed.

“Maybe I can bring you home for a few days, but don’t count on it.” The administrator pushed himself away from the desk and Karl saw that he was sitting in a wheelchair. Another war casualty being recycled.

Karl felt an impulse to salute but Herr Hartung waved him off.

“Thanks for the gesture, Karl. These times are behind me. Just be on time.”

Karl could see in the posture of Herr Hartung that he must have been an officer. At first he wondered about the un-patriotic answer but then he figured that a person without legs might not be scared of a political repercussion.

When he arrived in the evening he was seated in a meeting hall close to the podium.  The first teacher to address the audience of over 200 parents was a nicely dressed elderly woman.  She assured the parents that the children would be very well taken care of. She mentioned the current meager food rationing in Berlin and promised that the children would receive three meals a day. It seemed to Karl that the parents were glad to hear that.

The next teacher spoke about the overall educational aspect by having the young children exposed to a different lifestyle in the country. She also said that the children would be happy to be away from the bombings and the destruction. Most of all they would love their new surroundings and never even miss their parents or the family. Karl wondered where she got this idea from.

Another teacher spoke about the daily hygiene in the camp and the need for adequate clothing.

Karl was the last one to address the parents. It was not in his interest to discredit the teachers but it bothered him that they had not addressed a very basic need of the students.

“My name is Karl. I have been a sub leader since the very first KLV camp was initiated. I live with them and I understand their needs.”

He paused for a moment to step away from the podium. “Please ask me questions about the actual camp life.”

For about 15 minutes he fielded various questions from the food quality to the leisure time activities. His answers made it very clear to the audience that he spoke from actual experience.

“Now, do you wish to know what the KLV camp is unable to provide but what we, as the children, need the most?” All of the parents seem to agree that this might be important and encouraged him to continue.

“This is not a long lecture. I can sum it up in five words.” All looked up to him. Even the teachers wanted to hear the magic words.

“We need letters from home.”

All the parents and relatives in the audience seemed to think that this was a given and replied that off course they would write to their children. But, Karl was not done. Not by a long shot.