At this time many of the young german men were being called to arms for the fatherland and being sent to the Western Front in France. Even though Dieter, Hans and Kurt had passed their entry exams for the university, Dieter and Hans decided to put off university life and enlist in the german army. They had Kurt's blessing, soon both Dieter and Hans were in basic training in the german army. After basic training both Dieter and Hans attended the cadet institute at Karsruhe and the military college at Berlin Lichterfelde for the summer, a short course for junior cadets. In the fall of that year both of them were transfered to the Prussian army division in the Priz Wilhelm Regiment (112th) Infantry as junior cadet officers. Shortly afterwards both Dieter and Hans found themselves on the Western Front in France seeing trench warfare and heavy fighting at its worst...
One early morning in November just before dawn both Dieter and Hans as junior cadet officers volunteered for a dangerous scout mission to gather intelligence behind enemy lines. That morning under cover of dark both of them were able to sneak behind enemy lines and gather military intelligence on enemy strength. On their way back they lost the advantage of their cover of darkness as the sun was rising, suddenly they both were under enemy gun fire. Hans was shot in the leg, unable to walk, thinking quickly Dieter under fire picked up Hans throwing him over his shoulder. Hans pleaded for Dieter to leave him and complete the mission without him, Dieter yelled at Hans, "you're nuts Hans, we're in this together until the end, we're brothers!" then Dieter ran with Hans over his shoulder under continuous gun fire and both of them made it back to HQ behind german lines. A few weeks later they both were awarded medals for their bravery, by Field Marshal Wilhelm Ludendorff, of the Deutsch Wehrmacht. Dieter received the "Iron Cross" and Hans the "Wound Badge" for his actions. They also were given a 30 day "pass" to return home to Germany for their bravery, they both were overwhelmed with joy...
Dieter's older brother Werner by this time had also enlisted in the army. Werner being a graduate of the University of Berlin with a degree in chemistry, was put in charge of a "special team" for chemical warfare
in the Deutsch Wehrmacht or War Department developing a new deadly nerve gas, hoping to turn the tide of the war in Germany's favor. Thus Werner spent a better part of the remaining years of the war sequestered in a top secret location near Berlin.
December 1915... Munich
As the train approached Munich in Germany it was only 5 days away from Christmas. Dieter and Hans had arranged their 30 day pass to coincide with the holiday season. Both of them sat very somber as the train pulled into the bahnhof. They were officially bonafide "war heros", the papers played the story, it made good press and good propaganda for the german government. It was cold and lightly snowing as the two stepped off the train unto the platform. They were both dressed in full army dress uniforms, and looked sharp and handsome, Hans had put on more muscle, no longer a skinny kid. There to greet them were Dieter's father Herr Hess, Dieter's friend Kurt Muller and of course Dieter's love Fraulein Deanna. Hans father and brother Wilhelm were also there to greet Hans. As Dieter walked onto the platform his father reached out vigorously shaking his son's hand then hugged him close saying, "well done son."
Then Dieter looked at Deanna taking her in his arms, she had tears running down her cheeks crying with joy at Dieter's safe return.Shortly after, Hans left with his father and brother, then Herr Hess, Dieter, Kurt and Deanna boarded a tram near the train station heading to Herr Hess's house for a planned gala dinner later that evening. Later that evening after the dinner and exchange of family gossip, Dieter asked for leave to walk Deanna home. As mentioned before, Deanna was renting a room at the Kreuzbrau Hotel, off Sendlinger strasse near downtown. Her uncle owned the hotel and she helped out with some of the work, helping her mother Franziska Tiefenbrunn.
First Night Together...
As they left Herr Hess's house they walked hand in hand. Dieter was in his prime 20 years of age, Deanna a few years younger. She was well developed had long flowing blond hair that now glistened in the moonlight. On their way to her hotel they decided to first visit Marien Platz and do some window shopping, as it was near Christmas and the streets and shops were all dressed for the season. A light dusting of snow fell on the young lovers as they sat together on a bench in the plaza. Nearby Christmas carolers were singing "Silent Night". As they sat listening to the heart wrenching song sung by the carolers Deanna asked Dieter to tell her about the war in the trenches, he could see the worry on her face, Dieter put his index finger to Deanna's lips saying, "hush, my love, don't worry your pretty head about that now, lets enjoy the moment." Dieter then took her in his arms giving Deanna a long passionate kiss on her mouth that lasted several minutes. Sometime later that evening they headed back to Deanna's hotel, as they approached the hotel lobby Deanna looked intently into Dieters eyes saying, "please stay the night my love, won't you ?" Dieter needed no encouragement. Once the two were upstairs in Deanna's room they again embraced, Dieter gently moved Deanna next to the bed and slowly began to undress her revealing her young ripe breasts, and slender waist, then undressed himself, the two slid under the feathered down comforter on the bed. This cold winter night the snow was falling outside their window, Dieter taking her tightly in his arms then thrusting himself "deep inside her", the two became "one"...
"Visit With Herr Romain"
A few days before Dieter and Hans were to depart for active duty again on the Western Front, Dieter payed a visit to his old friend and mentor Herr Romain at "Der Munchen Zeitgemass" one of Munich's most read papers. Herr Romain was the editor of the paper and part owner. In a strange twist of fate Herr Romain was related via the Eberlin line to Jacob Burckhardt the great 18th century scholar of art and culture who was a major political and social thinker in his day as well as an opponent of nationalism and militarism, which rejected German claims of culture and intellectual superiority. Burckhardt had predicted a "cataclysmic" 20th century in which violent demagogues and warlords would bring ruin to Germany and the whole of Europe.
It was a monday a slow day for the paper when Dieter entered Herr Romain's office. Herr Romain gave Dieter a hug, then said with a smile, "hows our famous war hero doing ?" Dieter said solemnly, "Herr Romain, whats your opinion on this war ?" "Is Germany right or wrong ?" Herr Romain then scratched his head, looking directly at the young man he said, "well Dieter, mit Krieg there are no simple answers, 'political ties' und 'Weltpolitik' und 'treaties' obligate one country to another right or wrong in Krieg, perhaps a new wave of political thinking is called for, but for now what is, is done."
Our famous 19th century German forefather and explorer Alexander von Humboldt wrote in one of his famous journals, "The most dangerous 'Weltansicht' is the 'worldview' of those who have not experienced or viewed the world".
Herr Romain continued, " In America their President Wooddrow Wilson is already talking about one central authority to decide all world political problems or disputes. I believe he's calling it the League of Nations, but i fear the world is not yet as advanced in its thinking as is President Wilson. Should the President fail in his idea, i fear Germany and the whole of Europe will be lost not to far into the future..." Then Dieter scratched his head saying to Herr Romain, "That's a complicated answer." "Das krieg ein interessantes Gesprach." Herr Romain then laughed, then said, "politics are never simple, Deutschland uber alles." Then they both laughed together, then Herr Romain asked Dieter when he was leaving back for the front. Dieter replied, "in a few days i'm back in the trenches." Herr Romain then solemnly said to Dieter, "my boy always follow your conscience, of what feels right or wrong, then you'll never go wrong." Dieter replied, "Herr Romain that is the best advice and wisdom i have to date received." They then hugged each other one more time and Dieter departed...
One early morning in November just before dawn both Dieter and Hans as junior cadet officers volunteered for a dangerous scout mission to gather intelligence behind enemy lines. That morning under cover of dark both of them were able to sneak behind enemy lines and gather military intelligence on enemy strength. On their way back they lost the advantage of their cover of darkness as the sun was rising, suddenly they both were under enemy gun fire. Hans was shot in the leg, unable to walk, thinking quickly Dieter under fire picked up Hans throwing him over his shoulder. Hans pleaded for Dieter to leave him and complete the mission without him, Dieter yelled at Hans, "you're nuts Hans, we're in this together until the end, we're brothers!" then Dieter ran with Hans over his shoulder under continuous gun fire and both of them made it back to HQ behind german lines. A few weeks later they both were awarded medals for their bravery, by Field Marshal Wilhelm Ludendorff, of the Deutsch Wehrmacht. Dieter received the "Iron Cross" and Hans the "Wound Badge" for his actions. They also were given a 30 day "pass" to return home to Germany for their bravery, they both were overwhelmed with joy...
Dieter's older brother Werner by this time had also enlisted in the army. Werner being a graduate of the University of Berlin with a degree in chemistry, was put in charge of a "special team" for chemical warfare
in the Deutsch Wehrmacht or War Department developing a new deadly nerve gas, hoping to turn the tide of the war in Germany's favor. Thus Werner spent a better part of the remaining years of the war sequestered in a top secret location near Berlin.
December 1915... Munich
As the train approached Munich in Germany it was only 5 days away from Christmas. Dieter and Hans had arranged their 30 day pass to coincide with the holiday season. Both of them sat very somber as the train pulled into the bahnhof. They were officially bonafide "war heros", the papers played the story, it made good press and good propaganda for the german government. It was cold and lightly snowing as the two stepped off the train unto the platform. They were both dressed in full army dress uniforms, and looked sharp and handsome, Hans had put on more muscle, no longer a skinny kid. There to greet them were Dieter's father Herr Hess, Dieter's friend Kurt Muller and of course Dieter's love Fraulein Deanna. Hans father and brother Wilhelm were also there to greet Hans. As Dieter walked onto the platform his father reached out vigorously shaking his son's hand then hugged him close saying, "well done son."
Then Dieter looked at Deanna taking her in his arms, she had tears running down her cheeks crying with joy at Dieter's safe return.Shortly after, Hans left with his father and brother, then Herr Hess, Dieter, Kurt and Deanna boarded a tram near the train station heading to Herr Hess's house for a planned gala dinner later that evening. Later that evening after the dinner and exchange of family gossip, Dieter asked for leave to walk Deanna home. As mentioned before, Deanna was renting a room at the Kreuzbrau Hotel, off Sendlinger strasse near downtown. Her uncle owned the hotel and she helped out with some of the work, helping her mother Franziska Tiefenbrunn.
First Night Together...
As they left Herr Hess's house they walked hand in hand. Dieter was in his prime 20 years of age, Deanna a few years younger. She was well developed had long flowing blond hair that now glistened in the moonlight. On their way to her hotel they decided to first visit Marien Platz and do some window shopping, as it was near Christmas and the streets and shops were all dressed for the season. A light dusting of snow fell on the young lovers as they sat together on a bench in the plaza. Nearby Christmas carolers were singing "Silent Night". As they sat listening to the heart wrenching song sung by the carolers Deanna asked Dieter to tell her about the war in the trenches, he could see the worry on her face, Dieter put his index finger to Deanna's lips saying, "hush, my love, don't worry your pretty head about that now, lets enjoy the moment." Dieter then took her in his arms giving Deanna a long passionate kiss on her mouth that lasted several minutes. Sometime later that evening they headed back to Deanna's hotel, as they approached the hotel lobby Deanna looked intently into Dieters eyes saying, "please stay the night my love, won't you ?" Dieter needed no encouragement. Once the two were upstairs in Deanna's room they again embraced, Dieter gently moved Deanna next to the bed and slowly began to undress her revealing her young ripe breasts, and slender waist, then undressed himself, the two slid under the feathered down comforter on the bed. This cold winter night the snow was falling outside their window, Dieter taking her tightly in his arms then thrusting himself "deep inside her", the two became "one"...
"Visit With Herr Romain"
A few days before Dieter and Hans were to depart for active duty again on the Western Front, Dieter payed a visit to his old friend and mentor Herr Romain at "Der Munchen Zeitgemass" one of Munich's most read papers. Herr Romain was the editor of the paper and part owner. In a strange twist of fate Herr Romain was related via the Eberlin line to Jacob Burckhardt the great 18th century scholar of art and culture who was a major political and social thinker in his day as well as an opponent of nationalism and militarism, which rejected German claims of culture and intellectual superiority. Burckhardt had predicted a "cataclysmic" 20th century in which violent demagogues and warlords would bring ruin to Germany and the whole of Europe.
It was a monday a slow day for the paper when Dieter entered Herr Romain's office. Herr Romain gave Dieter a hug, then said with a smile, "hows our famous war hero doing ?" Dieter said solemnly, "Herr Romain, whats your opinion on this war ?" "Is Germany right or wrong ?" Herr Romain then scratched his head, looking directly at the young man he said, "well Dieter, mit Krieg there are no simple answers, 'political ties' und 'Weltpolitik' und 'treaties' obligate one country to another right or wrong in Krieg, perhaps a new wave of political thinking is called for, but for now what is, is done."
Our famous 19th century German forefather and explorer Alexander von Humboldt wrote in one of his famous journals, "The most dangerous 'Weltansicht' is the 'worldview' of those who have not experienced or viewed the world".
Herr Romain continued, " In America their President Wooddrow Wilson is already talking about one central authority to decide all world political problems or disputes. I believe he's calling it the League of Nations, but i fear the world is not yet as advanced in its thinking as is President Wilson. Should the President fail in his idea, i fear Germany and the whole of Europe will be lost not to far into the future..." Then Dieter scratched his head saying to Herr Romain, "That's a complicated answer." "Das krieg ein interessantes Gesprach." Herr Romain then laughed, then said, "politics are never simple, Deutschland uber alles." Then they both laughed together, then Herr Romain asked Dieter when he was leaving back for the front. Dieter replied, "in a few days i'm back in the trenches." Herr Romain then solemnly said to Dieter, "my boy always follow your conscience, of what feels right or wrong, then you'll never go wrong." Dieter replied, "Herr Romain that is the best advice and wisdom i have to date received." They then hugged each other one more time and Dieter departed...
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