Читать книгу 'Das Haus' the House and the Son of the Rabbi - Sean Ryan Stuart - Страница 6

Prologue

‘DAS HAUS’ is a story spanning over six decades, two continents, many tears, jeers and almost as many years. It is a story based on some “true events” and some real characters. Although the names, some locations and events have been fictionalized at the request of our main character Erik Goldmann (fictitious name), a majority of the Goldmann story is based on events, incidents and memories of those who participated in its story. Additionally some of my direct family members are still living in Das Haus, and in the past were threatened by current day neo-Nazis and their sympathizers. Erik Goldmann wishes to protect his family and the memory of the survivors of that long ago HOLOCAUST, known as WWII. Erik expressed direct concern about revealing his true identity.

I have in fact changed some of the story line to protect Erik, his family, my family and confidential sources. It is a sad event in our history, that sixty-two years after the end of WWII we still must fear the Nazis or their cohorts. While researching this book, members of my family and myself were threatened with death. Das Haus was burglarized on several occasions, and many of us had our cars vandalized by neo-Nazis or their friends.

Their favorite method of intimidation was to carve large swastikas on the hoods of our cars, scratch our paint and or destroy the car lights. Additionally, we would also receive mysterious and threatening phone calls. Soon after any vandalism took place, these hateful messages were left on our answering machines. They threatened to kill or injure us, if I did not stop my research. The German authorities were unable or unwilling to do anything about it. Ironically, one of the German police officers investigating one of these complaints was the son of the former Chief of Police who so heroically stood up to the Nazis sixty-nine years earlier.

The son was not cut from the same mold as the father. The German powers to be did not even take it seriously enough to make an earnest attempt at trying to catch the perpetrators, nor to take a written report. They kissed it off with the following statement, “Ah, don’t worry about it, it’s just a bunch of hotheads, if they really wanted to harm you, you would be dead by now!” With that statement, I now understood the evil truth of what was really going on in modern Germany.

I was amazed at the amount of fear and apprehension still permeating throughout the village. I happened to be visiting my family in early November 2000, and I participated in a remembrance ceremony in front of the old burned down synagogue. I started taking pictures of the ceremony and was immediately asked to please stop taking photos by some of the older participants. Knowing that my presence there was not welcomed anyway, I stopped being so obvious, but still managed to get some good shots from a better and less obtrusive vantage point. I later spoke with one of the participants, and was told, “We don’t like to have our pictures taken in front of the memorial, it might lead to trouble for us?” Stated the somewhat offish resident of Niedergeyer (fictitious).

Not wanting to insult my intelligence any further, I quietly disappeared in to the shadows, and observed from afar. Unfortunately it seemed that a new generation of bigots and quasi-Nazi sympathizers grew up where none existed before. Research on this book later revealed that only one-one hundredth of the eligible voters in Niedergeyer cast their vote for Adolph Hitler in 1933, when he first came to power. The only known Nazi was the future mayor of the village. Yet it appeared today that many more were either flirting with the right wing or openly supporting them. When I say right wing, I don’t mean conservatives, I mean neofascists, fascists or their supporters.

I must quantify the word “many.” My estimation of right-wing supporters is in the neighborhood of 10 percent of the adult population. In the age range of 15-32 years old; as many as 12-15 percent of the younger generation, were involved. Supplementary research indicated that many young adults from the former East-Germany were heavily involved in “Skinhead, and neo-Nazi organizations.” It appears that those under the former communist regime were also willing to be Nazi sympathizers. This may not be a majority, but way too many for a country with Germany’s checkered past.

A recent news report in 2007 by Fox News stated, “That as many as twenty-five percent of German citizens praised Hitler for some of his accomplishments such as the Autobahn system, family values, no unemployment etc. Another 18% somewhat supported the Nazis, but no mention was made of the Holocaust! Can it be that 43% of the population still supported or admired Hitler? These figures are amazingly high in the year of 2007?

There was a famous incident in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s involving a large bomb attack on the famous festivities at the Oktoberfest in Munich. A neo-Nazi group claimed credit for it, and its leader was later apprehended and jailed. He confessed to the German authorities; informing them of a large stash of weapons and munitions on the border to East Germany. The authorities allowed this individual to show them this alleged cache. While the police were digging a giant hole near the East German fence, a slow moving train just happened to come down the tracks, right along the East German border. This neo-Nazi waited until the train was parallel to him and ran across the train tracks, through the minefield, through the hidden automatic machine-guns and through an opening in the fence and escaped into East Germany.

West German authorities filmed it, but the East German government denied any knowledge of this incident. It was later discovered through informants, that the Russian KGB and East German STASI had in fact knowingly assisted him to escape. They wanted to embarrass the West German intelligence community and perhaps cause a major political rift in the government. This participation between opposite political spectrums was similar in nature to Stalin and Hitler’s partition of Poland in 1939 and their alleged non-aggression pact.

However, I do strongly believe that many of the post WWII era inhabitants of this area have strong ties to the current wave of “Xenophobia” that permeates many European countries, particularly Germany and France. There have been horrible examples of anti-foreigner discrimination all over Europe, especially in Germany, Austria and France. This new form of Nazism is no less menacing than the old one. Many of today’s Germans refuse to admit to this inherent Germanic problem. Even though the Nazi party is officially forbidden in modern day Germany, the NPD is an auxiliary legal party that holds many of the same common beliefs as the former Nazi party. In some German states they have achieved as many as 10-12% of all the votes cast, in both local and national election results.

These recent barbaric acts seem to be in stark contrast to the many brave and heroic deeds performed by the villagers of the 30’s and 40’s. It is of these brave souls and the Goldmann’s that we will speak of. Although I am highly critical of many Germans of today’s generation, I do not wish to be as “Xenophobic” as they are. Many of the villagers were and are very brave and courageous citizens. It is important to note that I have many friends and relatives who do not fit this “Xenophobic” mold, and in fact were very sympathetic and tried to help those who were oppressed by the Nazis.

I often wonder how I would have acted under similar circumstances? It is far easier to criticize than to relive the horrors they endured under Hitler. Most modern Germans are honest, hard working and socially democratic, however the other 10-12% are dangerous, evil and aggressive in nature. One has to only watch some of the large sporting events between Germany and some third world countries. Many of the banners and placards carried by German soccer fans are openly Xenophobic and racist in nature. It is also amazing to me that discrimination is legal in Germany! They can and do openly advertise; “Foreigners need not apply, Americans, Turks etc.” These statements were often posted in newspaper ads, and journals.

This is why it is so important for me to tell this incredible story. A story of hate, fear, betrayal, gloom and misery. And yet sandwiched between those strong sentiments were desperate feelings of hope, heroism, love, honor, friendship and respect. Every new development brought about a new and startling paradox in emotions and thoughts.

As a writer I initially objected to this form of novel writing. However after speaking with our main characters and thoroughly researching these events, Erik and the other participants convinced me to use this style of a novel. I agreed to their desires and altered the story just enough to protect his family wishes, the memories of a heroic father, his family and the victims of the Nazi holocaust.

I have written this book in the form of a novel based on some true events, liberally sprinkled with some Hollywood drama for effect. It is my hope that younger generations will not be so easily swayed from the path of rightfulness and justice. I do not wish to convey the idea that all events happened exactly as I described them. I am telling it as it was told to me; with some dramatic license to help it along when needed. One thing we must remember, this is not a trial that we are conducting, but the telling of a human tragedy and the rebirth of a courageous man.

Germany is a beautiful and majestic country to the casual tourist or observer, but deep in its subconscious lays a sleeping dragon waiting to once again wake up, and swallow Europe? Maybe not in the same context as WWI or WWII, but perhaps using political and economical might? A prime example of Germany’s love with authority is the former East Germany, aka DDR. Their communistic form of government was even more repressive than their puppet-masters the Russians. The East Germans had more secret police agents and spies than the KGB. When the wall finally came down, over four million secret files were found on many West/East Germans, Americans and other NATO allies.

A warning must go out to all of those who flirt with these unhealthy and undemocratic ideals. The world is watching and we cannot allow a repetition of those past experiences.

Our story takes place in the 20^th and 21^st centuries, a time in which such horrors cannot and should not occur again, and yet, we see that in fact they come to pass, again, again and again. Some of the most recent example being the genocide committed against the Muslim minorities in the Balkans and the horrors against the people of Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, Darfur Sudan, Lebanon (by Syria), Rwanda and especially the continuous attacks on Israel by the Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists supported in great part by Syria and especially Iran.

In fact one could say that the fanatic zeal of today’s Islamic terrorists are reminiscent of yesterday’s fascists. Large crowds all chanting in unison, preaching their twisted beliefs and calling for the deaths of Jews and Christian. It seems as if the world has forgotten the pre-WWII historical events leading up to the holocaust. Thank God that Israel is strong enough to defend itself. Hopefully we in America; will continue to support Israel.

This plot started over thirty-three years ago, when a young American, living and working in Germany, purchased an “old” house, Das Haus, in a small city in Germany, near the Belgium/Dutch border. At the time, he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

Das Haus had a way of growing on you, and as circumstances later developed, it became an obsession to find out what really happened to its original occupants. His first impression was not favorable. The once beautiful facade of the house had been severely damaged by hundreds of bullet and shell fragment holes. The sides of Das Haus were even worse; over twelve hundred bricks would have to be replaced during the renovation. Over two decades of research, work, agony and many tears finally led to a form of finality. A totality for some and not for others. No one, but the original Jewish inhabitants of Das Haus will ever know the truth. Das Haus was to become the house of death for all the Jewish inhabitants of that and many nearby villages. It was also the birthplace of freedom, courage and bravery for one heroic man, rabbi Franz Goldmann (Fictitious).

It was not the perfect answer to a very difficult question, but at least the discovery and location of our hero Erik Goldmann, made the effort worthwhile. My investigation led me to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., and after many hours of research, I also found the final resting place of Rabbi Goldmann (fictitious name) in Izbica, Poland. Izbica was a sort of staging area used by the Nazis, until they could decide what to do with you. Some Jews were executed on the spot and never sent on to camps. The Nazis butchered Rabbi Goldmann, and thousands of others in 1942.

It was a very emotional, yet fulfilling moment in my life. To know that I had perhaps helped his son come to term with the loss of his brave father, a real hero.

I was later informed by Erik of his pilgrimage to Izbica, Poland and the feeling of relief he felt when he visited the spot where his father, a brave, honest and good man; was so viciously murdered by the Nazis. Strangely enough, we found no record of his beloved mother. She simply disappeared like so many others, never to be heard from again.

One of the many reasons that it took so long to locate Erik was the fact that he had slightly altered his name. If it had not been for the Internet, and its endless capabilities, I would probably still be looking for him. For obvious reasons, Erik also made very little effort in maintaining contact with anyone in that village.

The only exception was one individual, who has since passed away. That individual received an occasional phone call every five or ten years from Erik. In return he rarely kept in touch with Erik. Although boyhood friends, too much had happened for them to keep up an artificial friendship. However, this individual was instrumental in our final success, because he had a clue that led me to Erik.

This human being happened to be my now deceased father-in-law. Dieter, (fictitious) had been for many years the sole caretaker of the long forgotten Jewish cemetery in our village. He hoped that his small gesture would someday reunite long lost friends, and perhaps rekindle a kindred spirit of his youth. Although Dieter freely admitted to me having been a member of the Nazi party in his youth, he showed me a true and genuine interest in what happened to his Jewish friends. Some of his neighbors and friends chastised him, but he dutifully cared for the graves of the ancient Jewish inhabitants until his death.

Despite his gruff exterior, he had a heart of gold. Dieter at times risked his life by actually helping two French POW’s escape Germany. They were able to make it back to France alive, and after the war became good friends. On another occasion he helped some shot down American flyers find their way to Belgium and freedom. His wealth and prominence protected him from those who did not agree with his views, and hopefully those lost Jewish souls will remember him kindly for his deeds.

It must be remembered that although some of the events are true, or based on events as told to me. I have altered it enough it to make it a novel based on partially true events by those involved in this epic drama. However the courageous Rabbi Goldmann, Erik and his family’s valorous deeds are true, to the best of my knowledge.