A Glimpse of History with Uwe Timm: Experiencing the End of World War II
"Military personnel arrived and knocked on the door"
Uwe Timm, a renowned German writer, was just a young lad when the smoke of World War II cleared in 1945. His works often delve into the war and post-Nazi Germany, reflecting his unique perspective on those tumultuous times. One such work, "The Discovery of the Currywurst," highlights a curious transformation—the meeting of the classic German sausage with the exotic curry—showcasing how change can be born from unexpected encounters. In "Rot" and "Am Beispiel meines Bruders," Timm explores the attitudes and experiences of the '68ers, leftists who opposed nationalism and the trivialization of the Third Reich, and tries to understand his 16-year-older brother's decision to join the Waffen-SS, respectively. In an interview with ntv.de, the 85-year-old shares memories of bombing raids and the days after liberation, expressing his thoughts on plans to prepare Germany for another war.
As a child in Hamburg, Timm has vivid recollections of the war. One of his earliest memories is being pushed through Osterstraße, covered in wet towels, with fires blazing on both sides. He remembers little flamelets in the air, emanating from shreds of burnt curtains. The other recollection that haunts him is not being allowed to look at the street, for it was littered with dead bodies. His family's flat was destroyed in a bombing raid in 1943, yet his father managed to save a table and some damaged porcelain ornaments from the ashes. The family spent some time huddled in the cellar, their spirits demoralized.
The end of the war brought a mixture of emotions for Timm's family, who were evacuated to Coburg. He recalls German soldiers digging trenches along the Itz River, fearful that the Americans would attack. One day, a firebomb fell on their house, igniting it with immediate effect. Timm found himself trapped in a trench, needing assistance to escape. It was the Black Panthers' brigade, led by American soldiers, who eventually liberated Coburg. The first few black men Timm saw were initially frightening, as he had been told terrible tales about them. However, they turned out to be courteous and professional. Eventually, the GIs burst into their home, searching for hidden soldiers or equipment. Timm still remembers the adults hurriedly burying Hitler pictures in the garden, fearing repercussions.
Local Nazis, such as Veitmeier, who once held power and commanded respect, suddenly found themselves cleaning streets and alleys. Many of the German men, who had once bullied and dictated with their harsh tones, were made small by the liberation. Women, who had previously been subservient, stepped into their roles, working professions that had once been dominated by men. Only after a few months, as men started returning from captivity, did power dynamics shift back somewhat. But for those precious initial months, women ruled the roost.
Reflecting on the term "Zero Hour," Timm admits that it's debatable. Although the war was over and Germany was now under Allied occupation, many old relationships began to reform, and the process of denazification became lax. Fear of communism and the growing East-West conflict escalated, resulting in leniency towards former Nazi collaborators. In some cases, judges who had handed out death sentences during the Nazi era found their way back to prominent positions in law enforcement.
May 1945 marked an extraordinary transition, with the country torn between the ghosts of the past and the uncertainty of the future. The weather was unusually warm, offering the few survivors a glimpse of hope. Many were on the run, fleeing from their homes and seeking refuge wherever they could. There was a palpable sense of fear, with adults speaking in hushed tones, dropping their domineering postures. Some had to vacate their apartments, making room for American soldiers. There was looting, and women would only venture into the woods in groups out of fear of being attacked.
Richard von Weizsäcker, the former Federal President of Germany, once described May 8th, 1945, as a day of both defeat and liberation. Timm concurs, stating that it was indeed a liberating experience. For many, it signified the end of the dark era, when Nazis held positions in offices and teacherscontinue to justify the mistreatment of Jews. Yet, there was an unmistakable feeling of relief and the beginning of something new. Society was poised to change, and with it, the currywurst—a mix of tradition and experimentation—became a symbol of that transformation.
"The Discovery of the Currywurst" explores the birth of the currywurst in Berlin, which Berliners credit as their own invention. Simultaneously, Hamburg residents could not ignore the spicy sausage served with tomatoes on the Großneumarkt in 1948. The fusion of German tradition with the exotic spice of curry highlighted how change can occur when seemingly disparate elements come together. Timm's novella, "At My Brother's Example," delves into his brother's enlistment in the Waffen-SS and subsequent death in a field hospital. He grapples with the question of why an 18-year-old would willingly participate in violent activities and risk his own life. He struggles to fully comprehend his brother’s actions but is certain that a lack of civil courage and the inability to speak out were significant factors in enabling the atrocities of the Nazi regime.
As Germany grapples with the question of arming itself to defend itself against possible threats, Timm remains skeptical. He voices his concern over plans to spend 500 billion euros on defense while neglecting the needs of the poor and marginalized. Timm advocates for a society that values fairness and inclusiveness, suggesting that a country can defend itself better with such a foundation. He believes that patriotism should encompass everyone in the country, not just the privileged few. Ultimately, the question of how to build a fair society lies in the hands of politics.
- Uwe Timm, the author of "The Discovery of the Currywurst," often uses his works to explore changes, such as the merging of the classic German sausage with the exotic curry, illustrating how new things can emerge from unexpected encounters.
- Reflecting on the end of World War II, Uwe Timm recalls the fear and unrest felt by his family during the Allied occupation, even as they witnessed the start of a new era.
- In his novella "At My Brother's Example," Uwe Timm ponders why an 18-year-old would join the Waffen-SS, questioning the role of a lack of civil courage and the inability to speak out in enabling the atrocities of the Nazi regime.
- Today, as Germany considers investing in defense, Uwe Timm expresses concerns about prioritizing the needs of the marginalized and promoting a fair and inclusive society, suggesting that such a foundation better prepares a country to defend itself.
