European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

Political education

Something else helped my attitude and that was the year 1929, I think.

That was when the book “All quiet on the Western Front “, by Remarque was published.

This book was read by the organised youngsters of the union,

in the SAJ (socialistic labourer youth) or communistic labourer youth or by the labourer sportsmen.

The older ones, who took part in the First World War, had to report at our youth centre evenings:

“What was it like in Verdun, or somewhere else?” -

Your Experiences! And that strengthened many youngsters in their fight against the fascist danger that appeared over the years.

The SA tried to ban the film and did manage.

That is something that accompanied me further on in my life;

against war and against fascism, too.

Workers sport group "Fichte"

1922 I joined the labour sports club ‘Fichte’.

And all the following years – we practiced gymnastics twice a week –

influenced us there.

My sister was in ‘Fichte’, and that was the reason why I joined them, too.

I was the only one in my class.

There were mainly reactionary teachers there.

They did not have anything in mind with ‘Fichte’.

Here in ‘Fichte’ I felt comfortable. It was nice for a child to be and to do sports with others.