European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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We acquired the theoretical qualifications to be able to debate with the Nazis
We acquired the theoretical qualifications to be able to debate with the Nazis
Wir haben uns das theoretische Rüstzeug angeeignet um mit den Nazis diskutieren zu können -
and at the same time we defended ourselves. We had no choice.
and at the same time we defended ourselves. We had no choice.
und zugleich waren wir wehrhaft. Da blieb uns gar nichts anderes übrig. -
Until 1936 we sang:
Until 1936 we sang:
Bis 1936 haben wir haben wir gesungen: -
“We never want to carry weapons again! Never, ever do we want war again. Let the ones at the top fight each other on their own, we just won’t take part any more.”
“We never want to carry weapons again! Never, ever do we want war again. Let the ones at the top fight each other on their own, we just won’t take part any more.”
„Nie, nie wollen wir Waffen tragen! Nie, nie wollen wir wieder Krieg. Laßt doch die oben sich alleine schlagen, wir machen einfach nicht mehr mit“. -
Then the old comrades came and said that Hitler was standing in front of the door
Then the old comrades came and said that Hitler was standing in front of the door
Da kamen die alten Genossen und sagten, der Hitler steht vor der Tür -
with armed arguments, and you do not intend to defend yourself.
with armed arguments, and you do not intend to defend yourself.
mit bewaffneten Diskussionen und ihr wollt euch nicht zur Wehr setzen. -
There was a giant discussion in the youth association and we decided to do military training.
There was a giant discussion in the youth association and we decided to do military training.
Es gab eine Riesendiskussion im Jugendverband und da haben wir beschlossen wir machen Wehrerziehung. -
We learned to shoot and we learned a new martial art. The Nazis did not even know the name of it.
We learned to shoot and we learned a new martial art. The Nazis did not even know the name of it.
Wir lernen Schießen und wir lernen eine neue Kampfsportart, die die Nazis nicht mal vom Namen her kannten. -
At that time it was the latest achievement: Jiu-Jitsu, training blows with the edge of your hand.
At that time it was the latest achievement: Jiu-Jitsu, training blows with the edge of your hand.
Heute ein alter Hut, damals das neuste: Jiu-Jitsu, trainierende Handkantenschläge. -
With that we were able to prevail against the majority of the Nazis.
With that we were able to prevail against the majority of the Nazis.
Damit konnten wir uns gegen die Mehrheit der Nazis durchsetzen. -
If one of our youth centres was closed in by Nazi rowdies,
If one of our youth centres was closed in by Nazi rowdies,
Wenn zum Beispiel ein Jugendheim von uns eingeschlossen war, von nazistischen Schlägern und ihrem Umfeld, -
how were we supposed to liberate the group in the youth centre?
how were we supposed to liberate the group in the youth centre?
wie sollten wir die Gruppe in dem Jugendheim befreien? -
With defensive methods? That would not do.
With defensive methods? That would not do.
Mit defensiven Mitteln? Das ging nicht. -
We had to attack and once their blows were overcome
We had to attack and once their blows were overcome
Da mussten wir angreifen und wenn erst mal ihre Schläge außer Kraft gesetzt waren, -
then the others would lose ground
then the others would lose ground
dann wichen die anderen -
and we were able to get our people out of the youth centre.
and we were able to get our people out of the youth centre.
und wir konnten unsere Leute aus dem Jugendheim heraus holen. -
That happened from time to time,
That happened from time to time,
Das passierte öfters, -
the adult’s organisation of the social democrats, the socialists, “Rote Wehr”, later on “Republikanische Wehr” was strictly defensive.
the adult’s organisation of the social democrats, the socialists, “Rote Wehr”, later on “Republikanische Wehr” was strictly defensive.
die Erwachsenenorganisation der Sozialdemokraten, also die Sozialisten, die Rote Wehr, später republikanische Wehr, war strickt auf Defensive eingestellt. -
That was good when a public house was to be defended against the attack of the Nazis.
That was good when a public house was to be defended against the attack of the Nazis.
Das war gut, wenn es die Volkshäuser zu verteidigen galt gegen den Angriff der Nazis. -
That was good at demonstrations, where the ‘Rote Wehr’ was walking at the front and at the back,
That was good at demonstrations, where the ‘Rote Wehr’ was walking at the front and at the back,
Das war gut bei Demonstrationen, wo die rote Wehr am Anfang und am Schluss ging, aber