I am currently writing a short story for a contest.  It is about my dad and his gang in Potsdam, Germany doing a bit of fishing with in an unconventional way.  What I struggle with is the ability to describe what it is like to live in a place where bombs drop nearby almost every night and destruction from these bomb is absolutely everywhere.  I’ve read about it, watched videos, interviewed people but since I have never, physically experienced such things, it is difficult to write about it and give it justice.

On the other hand, though, how can I not be thankful for my lack of experience?  The fact that I have been able to live my life, thus far, not having to deal with these kinds of ravages of war is a gift and blessing.

Below is a video talking about the Battle of Berlin that took place when my dad and his family were right next door in Potsdam. It is a long video but the discussions and the video of the destruction is educational.  Note, my father and his family arrived in Potsdam in January 1945.  They lived at Margaraten Strasse 27 (now Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 27. See the map to gauge spacial comparisons):

Margaraten Strasse 27 – Where it is in comparison to Berlin.  Open in a new window and compare with the maps in the video:

 

The building where dad and his family lived. As it looks today: