Rudd, Inge Elizabeth (Oral history)

German civilian in Germany and Austria, 1925-1945; worked as interpreter for Allied Military Government in Germany, 1945-1946; emigrated to GB, 1947.

REEL 1: Aspects of period in Germany, 1925-1939: family background and childhood in Sterkrade, Rhineland; education; religious upbringing; political differences between parents over support for Hitler and Nazi Party; reaction to remilitarisation of Rhineland, 1936; opinion of Hitler; story of seeing Hitler address parade with Admiral Horthy, 1937; description of Nazi salute; attitude to Nazi insignia, culture and indoctrination during 1930s; story of supporting pacifism at school; attitude to anti-Semitism and treatment of Jews. REEL 2 Continues: further comments on treatment of Jews including Kristallnacht; activities with Hitler Youth; reason for father’s attitude to Nazis changing; communist activity in Sterkrade; reaction to German-Soviet Pact, 8/1939; story of secretly listening to BBC broadcasts; attitude to possible war; pre-war rationing; daily life in Sterkrade. Aspects of period in Sterkrade, Rhineland, Germany, 9/1939-5/1943: reaction to German invasion of Poland and outbreak of war, 9/1939; story of lone aircraft causing panic; reaction to defeat of Poland; story about soldiers billeted in house. REEL 3 Continues: Hitler’s speeches; description of air raid bunkers being constructed, 1940; anti-gas precautions; civil defence duties; question of preferential treatment for Rhineland; description of arrival of forced labour following invasion of Russia, 1941; reaction to speed and success of German forces in Europe; description of air raids; story of mother continuing to listen to BBC broadcasts; story about looted goods being given to service families; increase in bread supply following occupation of Ukraine, 1941; attitude to intended invasion of GB; opinion of Italians allies; description of POWs arriving in Rhineland; attitude to Russian campaign; opinion of fighter pilots and submariners; attitude to bombing of GB; opinion of Japanese allies; reaction to German declaration of war against US, 12/1941. REEL 4 Continues: story of jokes about German allies being permitted; description of compulsory war work for school children; attitude to working on farm; reaction to events on Russian front, 1941-1942; story of home being bombed; effect of air raids on civilian morale and industrial production in Rhineland; personal attitude to Allied bombing raids; description of propaganda and collections for war effort; rationing system. REEL 5 Continues: further comments on rationing; reaction to bombing of Mohne Dam by RAF and opinion of effectiveness, 5/1943; story of school being evacuated from Sterkrade via Rugen to Maria Schutz, Carinthia, Austria, 5-8/1943. Aspects of period in Carinthia, Austria, 8/1943-4/1944: description of camp life; story about teachers supporting pupils’ opposition to Nazis; school examinations; story of call-up for war work being deferred due to ill health. Aspects of period in Heidelberg, Germany 4-8/1944: description of studies at Heidelberg University; reaction to July bomb plot against Hitler. REEL 6 Continues: awareness of anti-Nazi groups including The White Rose; reaction to Normandy landings, 6/1944; story about hearing news of Hitler’s secret weapon to end war. reasons for leaving Heidelberg University, 8/1944. Aspects of period in Sterkrade, Rhineland, Germany, 8/1944-4/1945: employment prospects; description of research work and working underground during air raids; working hours and pay; reaction to Arnhem landings, 10/1944; story of being dismissed from research post, 2/1945; effects of air raids on daily life; reaction to Allies crossing the Rhine; story of father refusing to disable factory and going into hiding; description of Allied artillery bombardment of Sterkrade and effect on living conditions and essential services; relations between father and Party bosses; story of first American troops arriving; attitude to Polish and Russian refugees; fear of town being defended and arrival of Russian troops. Aspects of period in Sterkrade, Rhineland, Germany, 3/1945-7/1947: description of Allied Military Government being set up under British control; story of man being shot for putting out white flag prior to arrival of Americans; conditions in bunker. REEL 7 Continues: reaction of Goebbels to town surrendering; description of work as interpreter with Allied Military Government; introduction of non-fraternisation laws; comparison of British with Americans and Canadians; story of German women being bribed into having sex with Canadians; opinion of non-fraternisation laws; description of black market activities; role of women in repairing and rebuilding town; restoration of essential services; voluntary work cleaning up church and convent; problem of large population migrations at end of war; description of de-Nazification progamme, denunciations and compulsory questionnaire for all Germans; reaction to death of Hitler, 4/1945; opinion of Goebbels; reaction to first news of Holocaust: attitude to democratisation programme. REEL 8 Continues: story of voting in election for first time; role of Trades Unions; opinion of Allied policy of unconditional surrender; story of Friends’ Ambulance Unit arriving, 12/1945; opinion of Friends’ Ambulance Unit; attitude to laws preventing fraternisation and marriages with military personnel; story of meeting future husband David Rudd and marriage, 1947; reaction of parents and friends to marriage; description of journey to GB, 7/1947. Aspects of period in GB, 1947-1990: first impressions of GB; relations with husband’s family; accommodation and financial situation; visits from mother and sister; relations with British people and members of Jewish community. REEL 9 Continues: visits to family in Germany; qualified as teacher; attitude to nationality; political beliefs; attitude to portrayal of Germans in British war films; question of collective German guilt over Holocaust; attitude to unification of Germany; story of visit to East Germany, 1986.