Berlin at War: Life and Death in Hitler's Capital, 1939-45

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? He asked with a savage look”

On September the 18^th 1941 the Germans introduced Judenstern or Jewish Star; all Jews above the age of six years old would be required to wear the Yellow (cloth) Star of David when in public. Failure to do so brought about severe punishment and imprisonment. It was writes philologist Victor Klemperer “the day of the Judenstern introduction was the worst day for the Jews during those 12 years of hell”. The Jews we learn lost their last bit of anonymity, their humiliation now complete.

As of September 1939 it became a crime to listen to foreign radio broadcasts such as the BBC people were encouraged to report any illegal activity, neighbours informed on each other and the Hitler Youth would report any offences in school. One Berlin youth recalled that his uncle Max was a regular BBC listener:

“He sat by the radio set, wrapped tightly in blankets [to avoid discovery by neighbours] and listened to the ‘enemy radio’. Uncle Max was hard of hearing! After the programme, the dial would immediately be turned back, so that it would not show where it had been tuned into, if the house should be searched.”

As war continued the health of the citizens worsened. Halitosis was commonplace by 1943 and with the lack of sleep, rations and proper nourishment, the ability to recover from the most common of ailments diminished. Times were incredibly tough in the city. The one remarkable trait of this book is the voice it lends the ordinary housewife, taxi driver or worker, allowing the reader an intimate view of what life was truly like during the war.

Beautifully written and extensively researched, we learn once and for all what it was like to live in the epicentre of Nazi power during the War. Berlin comes alive through its hope and despair during troubled times. Fear, individual tragedy, survival and devastation; this important, magnificent and well balanced account is a must have history book.

Highly Recommended. Published by Bodley Head on 5th August 2010. 432 pages