Most of us have at one time or another read about the atrocities that occurred during World War 2, few of us witnessed the War first hand and even fewer still were living in Berlin at the time. Roger Moorhouse’s book “Berlin at War: Life and Death in Hitler’s Capital 1939-1945” gives the Berliner a voice, for so long seldom heard outside of the epicentre of Nazi power.
Berlin at War is a fascinating, sympathetic and well balanced account of what it was like to live in Berlin from the outbreak of war in 1939 to its conclusion in 1945. One thing that is evident from the outset, the level of research it has taken to put such a book together is nothing short of miraculous.
We hear from a variety of sources, some named, some anonymous that include the then British Ambassador to Germany (Sir Neville Henderson) and Adolf Hitler’s valet Heinz Linge. Berliner’s were apathetic to war in 1939 and even though news had broken that Germany were fighting Poland most citizens believed peace would be close at hand and went about their daily routines. An air of apathy surrounded the city; no one believed the skirmishes with Poland would lead to war. However when war was eventually declared, it was greeted with eerie silence and incredulity. Buy Now
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we are well aware of the final ultimatum issued by Neville Chamberlain’s government which eventually led to all-out war. Hitler’s interpreter Paul Schmidt took the ultimatum to his Fuhrer:
“Hitler sat immobile, gazing before him. He was not at a loss, as was afterwards stated, nor did he rage as others allege. He sat completely silent and unmoving. He turned to Ribbentrop who had remained standing at the window. What now?
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