Inspiration from a WW2 memoir

Hello dear readers. I am currently translating my German Uncle’s, memoir from WW2. Research for my next book, Stealing the Rainbow

The background story

Emil Heitmann was an active anti-Nazi. He was an active anti-Nazi and had been tortured and imprisoned by the Gestapo from 1933 onwards.

Introduction

This element from his memoir, is set in 1939 Langenhorn, Hamburg, Germany. Emil, had recently moved into a new apartment with his new wife, Lona.

Quote from Emil’s memoir

“Each apartment had to have a holder for a flag. But the carpenter who had to attach them to our new apartment always came in vain. It surprised all the neighbours that we had succeeded, until the liberation from fascism, to never get a [flag] holder, let alone get to hang a [Nazi] flag out. But we were the onlyones. Again and again, the Nazis came to us and our comrades in the neighbourhood, because of [the lack of] a flag. We were referred, by court order, to an official hearing. But the Nazis did not know what they should do. There, an official told me that, he himself was former Reichsbannermann (SPD), and regrets having become a Nazi.”

Conclusion

This simple act of defiance held so many dangers for the young couple. I am mindful to treasure the freedom of speech, I enjoy here in the UK. I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to defy the Nazis. How about you?

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