Children to a Degree - Growing Up Under the Third Reich by Horst Christian Page B

up.
    Harold shook his head. “I think that there was more to it.” He turned to look behind them just in case someone might be overhearing their discussion.
    “When we blew the trumpets, some of the church members came out to complain…” He wanted to say more but was interrupted by Karl
    “Do you blame them, Harold? I don’t think that your parents would tolerate this disruptive exercise.” Karl knew that Harold’s parents were Catholic.
    “No, let me finish, Karl. During this exercise we were escorted by civilian members of the Gestapo. As soon as a church member came out to complain he was interrogated by the Gestapo and warned that if he ever interrupted the musical exercises of the Napola again, he would be detained.”
    Karl was dumbstruck. “I heard that the Gestapo hunted down members of the Jewish faith. Are you telling me that they are now after the Catholic faith too?”
    “I don’t know that, Karl, but I heard that they are after any and all dissidents. I have the strange feeling that they singled out the women. I overheard that they are running short of labor in the ammunition and armament facilities.”
    “What about the men?” Karl inquired.
    “I heard them say not to worry about the men because they would soon enough be drafted into the Reserve Defense Divisions.”
    “What are the Reserve Defense Divisions?”
    “We were told that during the next few months the draft for the military service will be extended to include every able man, including the previously exempt occupations.”
    Karl thought that he had heard enough. The boys had walked in a circle around an apartment block and he needed to get home.
    “Harold, how about discussing what you just told me with my grandfather?  When do you need to report back to the Napola?”
    “I have at least another week. The introduction period is over. I applied for a crash course in the English language, which I’d like to attend and I have to wait until I am accepted.”
    “Yes,” Karl agreed. “I would like to learn another language too. It would be nice if we could study together. If you do take the course, when will you be back?”
    “I don’t know. I think that it will be another six months.” Harold pointed at a street car going by. “There, have you noticed that all the formerly male street car attendants have been replaced with women? Before I left for the Napola I did not see a single one. It looks like the final draft has begun.”
    Karl wanted to answer when he noticed Rudy walking down the street towards them.
    “I just received a notice that we are supposed to help some fertilizer farmer in Plaue on the Havel River. Since none of you has to be back in school I expect you tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM sharp.”
    Karl nodded his agreement and then asked, “I thought that this kind of farm work was the job of the Reichsarbeitsdienst?”  (Government labor service)
    “Not anymore,” answered Rudy. “The labor service is being discontinued. All the men are being drafted into the infantry and the women are being trained to be Flakhelfers. (Air defense helpers). In any event, it is now the job of the HJ to help the farmers. Technically, this excludes you because you are still in the Jungvolk. However, I am short of available members and it is only for one day.” Harold did not even listen to the explanations of Rudy.
    “Off course we will be in your office tomorrow morning. But how do we get to Plaue?” Karl wanted to know how he was expected to reach the small town outside of Berlin on the Havel River.
    “I think that the farmer will provide transportation,” guessed Rudy. Karl wanted to ask what kind of help was expected of them but Rudy had crossed the street to take a bus home.
    “Do you know what a fertilizer farmer does?” Karl enquired of Harold. “No, not a clue. I just hope that it has nothing to do with cow manure.” Harold had the uneasy feeling that they were being ordered to work with dung.
    ***
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