An Extraordinary Commission.

XII; 421 S., Abb. Sehr gutes Ex., etwas Nikotingeruch. - This book is a striking example of the old saying, 'Truth is Stranger than Fiction'. The terror through which Germany, and then Europe, passed during the Nazi period is vividly described in this autobiography and in Ellen's Chronology, which forms part of it. The writer was born into a German-Jewish family in 1920. He escaped persecution as a schoolboy in 1935, was educated in England, joined the Pioneer Corps in 1940 and was later commissioned in The Royal Fusiliers as a platoon commander. The point at which reality overtook imagination was his posting to Berlin as a Staff Captain, in September 1945. He was appointed 'Mil. Gov.' Food and Transport Officer of his birthplace, the district of Charlottenburg. From this position, and at this crucial time, he gained unusual insights into Allied and German actions and attitudes and played an active part in the implementation of British policy. This book contains a well-documented and illustrated personal account of an historical period and describes its effects on Government policy in 1946. In the course of his duties in Berlin the writer met a girl who later became his wife. She had lived there throughout the war, and details of her experiences are described in the documented and illustrated Chronology. It provides important evidence on the fate of the few who had to live in hiding, and who owed their survival to the courage of German opponents to Nazi doctrines. This Story Of A Journey Through Europe's Disaster will make the reader aware of what life was like for the individuals who feature in these pages. This book is an accurate account of real life as it was lived: it is the stuff of which history is made. Personal experience needs to be preserved to counteract growing attempts to deny or change the facts of history. (Klappentext) // Return to Europe - The Royal Fusiliers - A Continent too far - Birthday in Belgium - The Crossing of the Rhine - A house fit for a General - Facing the horrible truth - A message from the Senior Chaplain Life at 21 Army Group - Scenes from home leave - Election surprise - Information galore - Speaking for the Defence - A Court of Inquiry - In case of fire - Making sense - Musical Interludes - 'The World's Birthday' Back to Berlin - 'To Berlin and the Far East' - MommsenstraBe 40 - 'N07 VBK' - Taking over from the Soviets - Problems facing British Mil Gov - Getting to know the Russians - A light-hearted interval - Causes of distrust 'No Trade without Transport' - First priority: reliable staff - Needed: A 'Propusk' - A wrong note from a conductor's baton Food from East and West - Causes of food shortage - Food rationing in Berlin - Group V - and I - 'Sehr geehrter Herr Keppenperi' ' - Vox Populi, 1942 - My elementary school revisited - 'Operation Stork' - Food for concern - No exit visas for Russian vegetables The Cigarette Economy - A thriving Black Market - 'Oriental carpets in cowsheds' - Burglary - a profitable underground profession A Parliamentary Purview - What about our future policy? - Members of Parliament visit the Zentral-Magazin - Reactions in the House of Commons Contrasting Capitals - Berlin's lost oasis - A visit to Hitler's Chancellery - Mil Gov - the 'Silent Partner' - A visit to Copenhagen - A happy Bernese encounter Jewish Experiences in Berlin, 1945-46 - A tribute to my grandparents -The first Purim in Berlin - Mr Fishbein's DP Camp - A cousin returns from Auschwitz - My visit to Zingster StraBe From Uniform to University - First contact with the LSE -Back to 'Civvie Street' - President and Dishwasher - My Father's death South Africa on the brink - An academic approach - Echoes of Nazi doctrines - A new Parliament meets a radical Government - A message to LSE from South Africa (u.a.m.) ISBN 090567507X

Lebenserinnerungen