I was born in DDR in 79. We left in 83, through Hungary. My grandfather was put in prison for stealing food to feed my father and aunt during the Year of Hunger following the war. He was sent to a work camp some years after his imprisonment to finish his sentence and was re-educated before being allowed to go home. A completely broken man. When my father learned that the Stasi was watching the family home, because of a lady on the farm down the road was an informant, he decided to leave DDR for America. He never forgave Russia for putting his father in prison and ruining his health and livelihood. Nor did he forgive his fellow countrymen for allowing socialism into his fatherland. When the wall came down, he didn't even want to go back home to visit. He was disgusted by his friends and neighbors and extended family. But when we watched the wall come down on television, it was the only time I had ever seen him cry. When his health began to fail him in 2001, he talked about going home with me, but his heart gave out on him and he died waiting for a transplant. I've never been back to the fatherland since 1983. I'm more American than German, now and I'm certain that I wouldn't recognize the farm, if it's even there anymore. The German people have had a criminal social engineering thrust upon them. They have internalized the commands of their oppressor.
Das ist so dermaßen wahr! Während covid konnten nun auch die Westdeutschen beweisen, was für gute Untertanen sie sind - viel schlimmer als hier im Osten.
I visited Berlin in 1973 as a long-haired student. I was not at all political, I just had a desire to see the world. I visited again in Dec89 and drank and smoked with young artists from all over Eastern Europe. It was very exciting and we agreed that a bright future lay ahead. I decided that the only people who were worried were the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon and that Thatcher woman... I am in despair over this war. The media says it was an unprovoked attack. I see it an orchestration over the last decade. Whatever, I see it as a terrible mistake.. I am glad that Germany has reunified and I followed the history of the DDR.
my Rossow ancestor was descended from Sorbs in Prussia -- prior to German militarism in The Great War and WW2, there was Prussian militarism At the time of the Franco-Prussian War, Georg Frederick Rossow got on a ship for Ellis Island in NYC Harbor Landing there, he lied to the immigration inspectors and said he was from Alsace
I was born in DDR in 79. We left in 83, through Hungary. My grandfather was put in prison for stealing food to feed my father and aunt during the Year of Hunger following the war. He was sent to a work camp some years after his imprisonment to finish his sentence and was re-educated before being allowed to go home. A completely broken man. When my father learned that the Stasi was watching the family home, because of a lady on the farm down the road was an informant, he decided to leave DDR for America. He never forgave Russia for putting his father in prison and ruining his health and livelihood. Nor did he forgive his fellow countrymen for allowing socialism into his fatherland. When the wall came down, he didn't even want to go back home to visit. He was disgusted by his friends and neighbors and extended family. But when we watched the wall come down on television, it was the only time I had ever seen him cry. When his health began to fail him in 2001, he talked about going home with me, but his heart gave out on him and he died waiting for a transplant. I've never been back to the fatherland since 1983. I'm more American than German, now and I'm certain that I wouldn't recognize the farm, if it's even there anymore. The German people have had a criminal social engineering thrust upon them. They have internalized the commands of their oppressor.
Kevin, thanks so much for sharing your family's story. It's so important these accounts are heard.
Das ist so dermaßen wahr! Während covid konnten nun auch die Westdeutschen beweisen, was für gute Untertanen sie sind - viel schlimmer als hier im Osten.
Was he sent to the "Speziallager"? These were operated by the NKWD not by Germans.
@@urbanmyth1519 no. It was a German run prison.
Very interesting interview. Actually there are very few books covering history of GDR so I think I will buy this one written by Katja.
i bought the book and found it fascinating and really well written! Really good subject choice too
Glad you like it!
I loved this podcast. I preordered the e book on Amazon. It will be released in September. I’m eager to read it!!😁😁😁
That’s very kind of you to say. The book is a great read!
Keep up the good work with the podcasts!!!
I visited Berlin in 1973 as a long-haired student. I was not at all political, I just had a desire to see the world.
I visited again in Dec89 and drank and smoked with young artists from all over Eastern Europe. It was very exciting and we agreed that a bright future lay ahead. I decided that the only people who were worried were the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon and that Thatcher woman... I am in despair over this war. The media says it was an unprovoked attack. I see it an orchestration over the last decade. Whatever, I see it as a terrible mistake..
I am glad that Germany has reunified and I followed the history of the DDR.
Not that this fits here. I worked on the Minuteman III missiles during the Cold War.
You might enjoy this episode with an MX Missile crewman. th-cam.com/video/1GnxDt50CyQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BX1CYSlobXmo_uAv
Vietnamese coffee is petty good.
my Rossow ancestor was descended from Sorbs in Prussia --
prior to German militarism in The Great War and WW2, there was Prussian militarism
At the time of the Franco-Prussian War, Georg Frederick Rossow got on a ship for Ellis Island in NYC Harbor
Landing there, he lied to the immigration inspectors and said he was from Alsace
C00L Cold War Story