Autumn 1944. Many schools in Hamburg were closed. Those children who had not been evacuated were assigned to a general school. I, at that time 14 years of age, had to go to the Klopstockstraße in Altona. There was only one class. In the class young girls of different ages and from differing establishments of secondary education such as girls' grammar school, modern secondary school, and elementary school, were united. The lady teacher came from a housekeeping school.Under these circumstances it was difficult to carry out well-ordered lessons and we just fooled around. There was a warm meal at lunchtime and then until 6pm the German Girls' League service (BDM, Nazi-Organisation for girls). This service was compulsory.

For a long time the stream of refugees from the east had been underway and was increasing. Thus, one day we were called for service in the railway station. I volunteered. At the Altona Station and we were didvided into two shifts. One from 6 pm till midnight and one from midnight to 6 am. That meant going either from the school to duty or from the station direct to the school.

When a train arrived we went with many other helpers onto the station platform and distributed sandwiches and hot drinks. Many refugees then travelled further on. Quite a lot however, wanted to stay in Hamburg. Those who were not met at the station and also didn't know to where to go, were
taken by us to prepared emergency accommodation. These were furnished with double-tier beds, straw mattresses, and woollen blankets. Helpers from the station charitable organisations buttered bread, made coffee, and organized first class aid. Those who came were mainly young mothers with children, old people, and every now and then, young men. All had undergone dreadfull experiences. For the most part they were surprised to be so well received and cared for. They fell onto their beds exhausted and over-tired. Many were crying. Above all, the children. Some were totally apathetic and just stared in front of themselves. Whenever an air-raid alarm sounded we went to the air-raid shelter. But if a train arrived we nevertheless had to go out to receive the people.

At this time there were low-level air attacks. Moving trains were especially fired on. So the engine driver absolutely had to reach the next station whatever the cost. Then we started running. We flung the suitcases on small carts, children on top, or we took them piggy-back. So we rushed, scared stiff to the air-raid shelter.

Once an hysterical scream rang through the railway platform. An old woman had completely lost her nerve and screamed like a stuck pig. She stamped with her feet and waved her fists around in the air. We young ones were not qualified to handle her. Finally two nurses took her away. A terrible scene. Many of the refugees shook our hands: " What a misery. We wander homeless through the region and you stand night after night in the railway station! ". But now and then staunch Nazis came through. They bore themselves totally pathetically and used great words:"What you are doing here for our people and our country will not be forgotten. Honour will be granted to you after our victory. Heil Hitler!". Then they travelled on further.

With time passing we became tired and weak. During an air-raid our relief often didn't come and we had to stay. Why we, over-tired, still dragged ourselves to the meaningless school anyway, I do not know. Perhaps it was the warm soup. I also don't know anymore when and how it stopped. Probably at sometime no more refugee trains came.

Translated from the German by John Milloy, Can (nimso@aol.com)

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