The Silver Ring

The Depot

There was a section in the central railroad station that was blocked off for the movement of troops. Curt found his unit dragging me along with him. He approached the Feldwobel (Sargeant) he began "Herr Feldwebel, I need a favor. The old military man looked at him with a knowing eye. Really Herr Feldwebel, I need a favor. He pointed to me. This is my friend Mattias. He is from East Prussia, and was evacuated here when the Bolsheviks invaded our territory. He is Volksturm, but there is no way for him to get to his unit due to operations. I was hoping he could go with us. We are going to the East, perhaps there we could get the matter clarified. You know Herr Feldwobel, the Gestapo looks at anyone as a potential deserter. They hang or shoot first. Ja, Ja, the Feldwobel said. Let me see your papers. I had no idea what he was talking about. Curt reached into my pocket and produced a book called the soldbuch. The Fieldwobel read it, and said, it all is in order. Hoch, this man is your responsibility, now get moving.

Curt gave me a knowing smile. He reached into his coat and gave me an armband. Wear this, he said, on your left sleeve. What is this? I protested. It says that you are a member of the Home Guard. The Volksturm,this is our last line of defense. These units are made up of younger boys-not old enough for actual military  service and old men, many of whom are veterans of the Great War (World War I). Hopefully, if you are captured by the Russians, they will treat you as as a soldier and not as a spy.

Curt navigated both of us through the area to a train platform. there were passenger cars and flat rail cars for the equipment. There was a wave of humanity crushing into the area. We got into one of the passenger coaches and  grabbed seats.  

The train pulled out of the station. Where are we headed, I asked. Curt replied, I understand we are going to as replacement at Festung Frankurt. What is that, I asked? It is a fortress city, to be held at any cost. Do we stay there, I asked. Curt laughed, you ask too many questions. No, we don't stay there. We end up at Seelow Heights.

There was a lot of activity on the train. Most of the people were military, but there were civilians too. There were a few pretty young girls and they had plenty of attention from the troops. Curt reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out some bread. He broke a piece off, and handed it to me. Enjoy,Komarade, this is all we get until we get to Frankfurt. We may be lucky and get some soup there!

Curt, do you mind if I ask you a question? Go ahead, he said. Your Mom, did she survive the war. No, Mattias, she did not. Next month, February 1945 there will be a concentrated air strike on Dresden. It will create a firestorm and over 70,000 died. My mother was one of them. But what about Katrin? I know she survived and that is why we are on this mission. But how did she survive?

Mutte, was very astute. Once I left, with Papa and Otto dead, she felt that any possible thing that could be done to save Katrin would be tried. She had relatives, a cousin in fact, who lived about 25 km from Dresden. She sent Katrin there. It saved her life.

At the same time some soldiers came stumbling down through the train. I say stumbling because they were blitzed out of their minds. Allo Curt, one shouted. Ah Helmuth, Curt said, I can see you have been drinking tea for our journey. I have some brandy, do you want a drink? How about your friend? Is he part of our unit asked Helmuth. No, he is Volksturm from a unit in East Prussia. He was evacuated to Dresden, but he is coming with us. He thinks he can find what is left of his unit in Frankfurt. Ah, Helmut said, he needs a drink. Helmut pushed a bottle in front of me. Curt laughed, drink up Mattias, this life is not easy. Helmuth reached in his pocket and took out a camera. We need to take a picture. The train was swaying and so was Helmuth, but he snapped a picture, and with that he was gone.

Curt told me that Helmuth was not a bad guy. They had grown up together. He can get carried away when he drinks, but in our situation, getting carried away, and not remembering is not such a bad thing.

The train began to slow down as we were entering the hautbanhof in Frankfurt an der Oder (Festung Frankfurt). When the train stopped, we all piled out onto the platform. Units were put into formation. I had no idea what to do. Curt said, look they think you are Volksturm. They don't expect you to be perfect. Just follow me and do your best.

It seemed like we had marched at least two miles when we came to a large warehouse. The building had a little damage, but otherwise it looked pretty sound. We marched  inside and the Feldwebel told  us to find a place and stay put until further orders were received. We sat down on cement floor. Curt looked around and saw some clothing piled against the wall. He went over and began to pick through what was there. He came back with a coat and a cap. Here he said, put this coat on and wear the hat. Make sure that the armband can be seen. I said to him, who do these clothes belong to. Don't worry, Mattias, these belonged to men who died. They won't be needing them. It gets cold, so you are lucky to have this. Yeah, Curt the coat..Curt stopped me, don't call it a coat, it is a mantel or great coat. The hat is wool and it should keep your head warm. If I can find a toque that will help to keep your face and ears warm too.

Wearing my mantel and cap and after the marching I was tired. I feel asleep on the spot.