"Why did Germany attack and occupy most of Europe?" Rolf starting to question his mother about Germany's political past.
Chapter IV - Adolescence
This difficult period in Dieter's life traces his activities through his formative time. It was a period of recovery and increasing prosperity from the hardships of the immediate post war years. Dieter grew up pretty much alone, without any supervision, being exposed to what was a swinging time in Berlin, when people were able to let loose and learned to live under the constant threat of a Russian take-over.
He had a difficult puberty and drifted through school aimlessly, had his first exploratory sexual experiences and as a result of his exposure to the nearby American military base started to lay the seeds for his ultimate decision to leave the country.
Take a tour around the beautiful village of Schlachtensee in suburban Berlin where Rolf spent the last ten years before leaving Germany for the US.
He had a difficult puberty and drifted through school aimlessly, had his first exploratory sexual experiences and as a result of his exposure to the nearby American military base started to lay the seeds for his ultimate decision to leave the country.
Take a tour around the beautiful village of Schlachtensee in suburban Berlin where Rolf spent the last ten years before leaving Germany for the US.
Berlin Schlachtensee - The Lake at Sunset
One of the most beautiful lakes in Berlin, it always held a special place in Rolf's heart. It was an escape for him and he would spend many hours rowing a boat all over it or play with Cingo (Rolf's German Shephard) along it's shores. The relative isolation of the area from the main city, the thick forests and the quiet streets all were a good match for a child inclined to investigate, think and fantasize about his future. He protected his privacy with a fierce determination and would allow few people to come close to him.
The Movie - A Prize of Gold
In late 1954 Rolf was selected to be a member of the cast in a movie filmed in Berlin, starring Richard Widmark and May Zetterling. It took 5 weeks to do a few scenes running around left-over ruins from the war (There were still a lot of them) and Rolf spent a lot of time with Widmark showing him around the city; driving in a mini three wheel car that was the first vehicle produced in Germany after the war. Rolf's mother was a look alike of May Zetterling and doubled up for her.
Rolf loved the work, but Franz was furious. Franz had become rapidly more involved in the life of his God Child, and started to make most major decisions about him. He cut off any further involvement in the movie industry.
An interesting story related to the filming of "A Prize of Gold" in Berlin was Rosie's short torrid love affair with the director of the movie, Mark Robson. Robson, who was born in Montreal, Canada had many movies to his credit and won all kinds of prestigious awards. Rolf had been aware of what was going on as Robson started showing up at the mansion in Schlachtensee almost every night. The matter became known in Berlin and London and there were several gossip columns written about it. But no one really cared. It all ended when the location shots in Berlin were finished.
Rolf loved the work, but Franz was furious. Franz had become rapidly more involved in the life of his God Child, and started to make most major decisions about him. He cut off any further involvement in the movie industry.
An interesting story related to the filming of "A Prize of Gold" in Berlin was Rosie's short torrid love affair with the director of the movie, Mark Robson. Robson, who was born in Montreal, Canada had many movies to his credit and won all kinds of prestigious awards. Rolf had been aware of what was going on as Robson started showing up at the mansion in Schlachtensee almost every night. The matter became known in Berlin and London and there were several gossip columns written about it. But no one really cared. It all ended when the location shots in Berlin were finished.
Note to Screen Gems copyright protection: Personal use permitted if image includes subject.
Rolf appears in the upper right corner to the right of the blond girl. Widmark has brought some candy for the kids. In the back is the Swedish actress Mai Zetterling, who co-starred. Rolf's mother doubled up for her as they looked like twin sisters. Rolf was one of the orphans who were going to be sent to the UK if the money could be raised.
S-Bahn Station Berlin Schlachtensee
Poignent Memories
The station platform holds many memories for Rolf. Located right by the lake and a 5 minute walk from the mansion, he took countless trains to commute to school and later to business college. It would be the scene of his last good bye to Karin during one of the most emotional nights of his life shortly before Rolf left Germany.
It was here that he took the train a little later to begin his voyage to America not to return for over seven years. The big station building by the entrance(visible in the back) housed the pub where Rolf spent many nights with his girl friends; and later with Karin. It also was Cingo's favorite place as he would be fed out of the kitchen.
It was here that he took the train a little later to begin his voyage to America not to return for over seven years. The big station building by the entrance(visible in the back) housed the pub where Rolf spent many nights with his girl friends; and later with Karin. It also was Cingo's favorite place as he would be fed out of the kitchen.
S-Bahnhof Schlachtensee
As it looks today - A train coming in from Wannsee, heading toward the city. There are many memories related to this platform for Rolf. His daily trips to his school until he started to go to the local West Schule; and his three years in Business School. It was the scene of his final good bye to Karin; and a couple of months later his good bye to Schlachtensee, leaving in the opposite direction to meet his train to Bremerhaven.
Not visible is the Station Pub, hiding on the other side of the trees, where Rolf spent countless nights with his girlfriends, and later with Karin.
Not visible is the Station Pub, hiding on the other side of the trees, where Rolf spent countless nights with his girlfriends, and later with Karin.
Berlin Schlachtensee - A typical house
The villa Rolf grew up in stands no more. It was replaced by a large modern structure in 1962 and turned into a multi apartment complex after Rolf's mother died. Many of the stately mansions remain to this date and have been updated and modernized.
A Villa next Door
One of the most beautiful of the old Villas, it was a neighbor
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The old Pub by the S-Bahn Station
Many meals with Rolf's girl friends, and later Karin were had in the Restaurant. Cingo was always welcome and was fed out of the Kitchen.
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The old Mansion - Schlachtensee
The long driveway leading to the main entrance on the right with a balcony over it. Going past the house to the back was Rolf's entrance to his apartment which used to be the servants quarters. The huge red oak tree on the left was preserved and is visible on the picture of the new building. To the back and the left were large gardens and fruit trees. The lawn was mostly naturalized as lawn mowers were not available. Once in a while someone came with a sichel and cut it down.
The Schlachtensee Mansion
This view shows the third and fourth floor of the building with the large terrace off the living quarters for Rosie and Fritz. The second floor opened up into the winter garden underneath the terrace, where Rolf in the early years would play endless games of Canasta with American Army Officers from the nearby base. His partner later on would become his personal sponsor for his immigration papers. The two of them were so good at the game that at one time they did not loose a game for over a year!
A walk around the little Village of Schlachtensee
A stroll down Matterhorn Strasse
The village was always very quiet, sometimes one could stroll around without seeing a soul, Few people had cars and if they did, they rarely used them.
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Breisgauer Strasse Underpass to the Lake
From the mansion Rolf would walk about half a mile to the corner of Breisgauer Strasse and turn left toward the underpass where the S Bahn station is. The lake is just behind that.
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Schlachtensee ca. 1908
A look back into history.
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Corner Breisgauer and Matterhorn Strasse
The village center where all the little stores were clustered together, Still very sleepy the area was far removed from the busy center of Berlin, although it was only a 30 minute train ride to the Zoo station.
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The same building in 1958 - after a touch of snow
Most of the buildings in the village center serve both for residential and commercial purposes.
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The Lumina Theater ca 1955
The Theatre opened about 1953 and played most of the movies Franz wrote the music for. Rolf had many a date here during the school years.
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The other side of the corner of Matterhorn and Breisgauer Strasse going toward the Theater. It used to house a paint store which is now a Restaurant.
The following Video shows the area around the S-Bahn station and the beautiful park surrounding the lake on a mid-summer day..
The forest by the lake in autumn. Rolf would spend much time with Cingo in the woods.
The S-Bahn Station in Nikolassee by Schlachtensee
Most of the train stations in the area were neo-classical buildings that had office space, waiting rooms, concession stands and a pub.
Johanneskirche Schlachtensee
Rolf was confirmed in this pretty Church just a short walk from the mansion down Matterhorn Strasse.
The S-Bahn entrance from the Lake
The entrance and underpass from the lake side in winter. The station house and Pub is seen in the back. To the right front is a seasonal restaurant with outside seating.
Reiftrager Weg - Schlachtensee
Around the corner from the Mansion it was still a dirt road.
Wedding at the Mansion
In 1952 an American army office who had befriended one of the girls from the Free Berlin University, got married at the mansion. Rolf was the ring bearer. They both got transferred back to the US the following year, but would spend a lot of time with us. The girl lived with us for a while and would never be forgotten for her very strange ignorance of basic food preparation. She came crying to Rolf one morning saying "I am going crazy, we want soft boiled eggs, but the longer I cook them the harder they get".
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A view of the Church in Winter
A classic Schlachtensee Villa
Most of the Villas were built before the first world war and were designed to have an extensive service staff living on the premises.
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Rolf on the the Day of Confirmation
That day was the last time Rolf attended services at church in Schlachtensee. The three year confirmation classes had taken their toll. Attendance was mandatory and a very unpleasant experience. Rolf vowed that he would never set foot in a church again, a promise that he kept all his life, the only exceptions being occasional weddings. A brief exposure to the Catholic Church process in the mid 1960's only served to reinforce his aversion to any religious participation.
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Confirmation Party
A rare occasion, where Rolf's grandmother, Rita, and her three sisters,Bertha, Marie and Hanna were present. It was one of the few times that Hanna was allowed to leave the GDR to visit her family.
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Dieter at the mansion with Barbel (Cingo's mother)
and Cingo - 1953
Barbel had 5 puppies in 1952 with Cingo remaining as Rolf's dedicated dog and Caesar for Rosie and Fritz. All of them were certified long haired German Shepherds. Cingo's official name was "Cingo of the Schlachtensee'. He was fully trained.
When Rolf left Berlin in September 1960 it was hard for him to say good bye to Cingo. Somehow the dog knew that Rolf would not be coming back. He stopped eating.
It was the last bond Rolf had to cut.
When Rolf left Berlin in September 1960 it was hard for him to say good bye to Cingo. Somehow the dog knew that Rolf would not be coming back. He stopped eating.
It was the last bond Rolf had to cut.
Franz and Rolf at the Munich Zoo - 1952
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Rolf with Cingo in Schlachtensee - 1952
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The New Mansion - Matterhorn Strasse 65
Built in 1962 it replaced the old mansion that Rolf had loved living in during his formative years. With it went many memories. As was fashionable at the time, the back of the house faced the street, concealing the nicer features from public view. There was a three bedroom apartment for Franz, which Rolf almost moved into in later years when he contemplated returning to Germany. There also was a two bedroom guest apartment on the same floor. The upper floor built for Rosie and Fritz had four bedroms, a large foyer, a green house/garden breakfast room and a large open air terrace made for entertaining up to 75 people. In size it was as large as the old building but certainly lacked the old world charm.
The back of the New Mansion
The House was designed to ultimately be turned into an apartment building, hence the four terraces, which is what happened when Rosie died. To the left is a driveway leading to the basement with parking, laundry and storage. Visible on top of the building is the open roof garden. Franz' apartment was comprised of the whole ground floor, along with the guest apartment. Rosie lived alone in the building after Fritz died. Franz had died in 1982 and his apartment had remained empty. All together the house had over 9,000 square feet in living space.
Schlachtensee in the Winter - A beautiful silence
During his school years Rolf spent many hours in the forests around the lake and on the ice with Cingo, who loved to play in the snow and slide all over the icy lake. When Rolf started to date in business school he would frequently walk with his girlfriend to the Fischerhuette across the ice.
Pictures of Prerow on the Baltic seacoast, where Rolf was sent by his mother to spend the summer of 1952. He was assigned the top floor of a house by the beach where he along with two other boys and four girls were living in a dorm with straw mattresses to sleep on.
The following story recounts some of the normal things that happen to a young boy going through these stages. It does not address his starting to question the past and his beginning to search for some answers as to what happened in his country over the past thirty years. The nightmares that had started when he was eight years old continued and became more intense as time went by. His efforts to escape from those memories were futile; and would be futile for the rest of his life.
Rolf's Confirmation - 1952
This picture was taken at the confirmation party. Oma Rita, Rolf, Rosie and two friends of Rosie's. It was the last time Rolf set foot into a church in Germany. The Lutheran Church in Sclachtensee was a very beautiful church and Patricia took pictures of it during their visit to Berlin.
When Karin and Rolf returned to Schlachtensee for visits they would generally have little contact with any other family members. Cingo was under command to not let anyone into the apartment. Going out night clubbing and dancing almost every night they lived a carefree life.
Rolf in his Apartment ca. 1959
Karin took the Picture during one of their returns to Schlachtensee.
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Seasonal Restaurant by Lake Wannsee
By cutting through the forest around the Schlachtensee one could walk to the much larger beaches of the Wannsee.
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Historical pictures of the KWG church ruin as it looked in 1953, when the decision was made to demolish the remaining structure except for the main tower and build a modern new church besides it. Although there was great sentiment to retain the whole ruin as a memorial, structural engineers were unable to come up with a way to secure the building and save it from ultimate collapse. Rolf made an emotional visit to the site on the day of demolition.
The lights are back on and there is some traffic on the Ku-Damm in these pictures taken in 1953, just before the main hall was demolished as it was in danger of collapsing. Note the absence of any trees, which had become victim of the bombings and final battle for Berlin
The S-Bahn station as it looks today. In the fifties there there were virtually no cars in the village.
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The village after a light snow fall.
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