"GIs and Currywurst: Uwe Timm on the End of WWII"
"Military Personnel, Identified as GIs, Brought Knock on Door"
Uwe Timm, a 85-year-old German author, lived through World War II as a young child in Hamburg. His writings often revolve around the war, the fall of the Nazi regime, and the nation that reemerged post-conflict. In books like "The Discovery of the Currywurst" and "Rot," Timm delves into the transformation of food, politics, and ideology in post-war Germany.
In an interview with ntv.de, Timm shares his vivid memories of the war. One of his earliest recollections is being pushed in a pram through Osterstraße, surrounded by burning trees and small flames from burning curtain scraps. The family's apartment was fortunately destroyed in a bombing raid in 1943 when Timm's father, who was then serving in the air force, was on vacation. The apartment did not burn completely as a table and some porcelain figures were saved. Timm also remembers spending time in the cellar, a scene that had a gloomy atmosphere due to the adults' fear.
Timm's most intensive memories of the war's end were from Coburg, where the family had been evacuated. The Germans were still digging trenches by the Itz River when the Americans arrived. A circus wagon filled with stones was used to block the bridge, but the Americans simply pushed it aside with their tanks. There was shooting, but it quickly subsided, and then American soldiers appeared. This brigade happened to be the Black Panthers, marking the young Uwe's first encounter with black people.
At first, Timm and others were wary of the Americans due to the misinformation they had been given. However, the soldiers were courteous and searched the house, finding abandoned military uniforms upstairs. Timm also witnessed the adults burying Hitler pictures in the garden shortly after. The atmosphere changed dramatically after the war, as authority suddenly meant nothing. The men became weak, while women grew stronger as they took on new roles in the workforce.
Regarding the term "Zero Hour," used to describe the end of the war, Timm notes that it may be questionable since West Germany's reconstruction involved re-establishing old relationships. People who had wealth managed to regain their positions, and denazification became increasingly lax, partly due to the fear of communism. Eventually, former judges who had issued death sentences during the Nazi era returned to their positions of power.
When asked about the country in May 1945, Timm describes a time of uncertainty and transition. Many people were on the run, afraid, and spoke softly. There was looting, and women were reluctant to venture out due to fear of violence. The old order was not yet gone, but the new one had not yet fully taken shape.
Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the war's end, Timm expresses concerns about modern-day plans to make Germany war-ready. He argues that the goal should be to become more peaceful, but it is a complex issue with both Putin and defense budgets being to blame.
Timm's works display a profound exploration of Germany's identity, memory, and transformation during and after World War II. In "The Discovery of the Currywurst," he demonstrates how the fusion of a typically German sausage with exotic curry captures the essence of change. In "Rot," he portrays the '68ers, leftists who opposed nationalism and the glorification of the Third Reich. In "At the Example of My Brother," he delves into the question of why his older brother, a Waffen-SS volunteer, made the choices he did, ultimately paying the ultimate price.
Undoubtedly, Uwe Timm offers a valuable perspective on the end of World War II, the reaction of Germans to the Americans, and the rebuilding of West Germany. His narrative masterfully combines historical reflection, personal anecdotes, and deep analysis, providing readers a rare insight into a critical period in German history.
The European Union, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission are integral parts of the rebuilding process that West Germany underwent after World War II. Uwe Timm's works, such as "The Discovery of the Currywurst," "Rot," and "At the Example of My Brother," offer profound exploration of Germany's identity, memory, and transformation during and after World War II, drawing parallels with the EU's role in establishing new relationships, denazification, and politics in post-war Germany.
Timm's works also reflect on the complex nature of relationships between Germans and the Allied forces, particularly the Americans, as seen in his remembrance of the Black Panthers he encountered during the end of the war. This encounter, together with the changing dynamics in relationships, politics, and general news during the transitional period, are themes explored in Timm's writings.
In the 80th anniversary of the war's end, Timm expresses concerns about modern-day plans to make Germany war-ready, arguing that the goal should instead be to foster a more peaceful society. He points to the current geopolitical climate, with Putin and defense budgets being key factors, as contributing to this debate.
Uwe Timm's narrative masterfully combines historical reflection, personal anecdotes, and deep analysis, offering readers a unique and valuable insight into a critical period in German history. His works serve as a reminder of the transformation that took place after the war, from the end of WWII in 1945 to the establishment of the European Union, echoing the title of one of his books, "The Discovery of the Currywurst."
