[May 19, 2023] Great stories never die. And neither do great myths; some of those heroes’ stories are popularized but false. In the mid-1970s, I was stationed in West Germany and heard from many of their citizens how rubble women were the mainstay of rebuilding a destroyed Germany. New evidence from Germany itself contradicts much of this myth.
In an article from War History Online, guest author Ian Harvey summarizes the myth and new revelations about these “rubble women.” See the link here. Known as Trümmerfrau, the story is that a large number of women volunteered to clear the ruins, cheerfully clearing out the damaged cities to make way for a new Germany.
“Throughout Germany, there is a repeated motif in statues: A woman, with a hammer in her hand, her hair pulled up in a kerchief, looks determinedly into the distance. The statues are monuments to the Trümmerfrau (“rubble woman”) who is revered in German history for her help in rebuilding the country after World War II.”
But we are beginning to see pushback on this idea from German historians. Leonie Treber says the stories are “legends.” She recently published the book “The Myth of the Trümmerfrauen.” The role of women clearing out all the rubble, according to Ms. Treber, was minor, and they were often not volunteers.
“Since then, the image of the selfless German woman, happily toiling to rebuild her homeland, has been unassailable in the German public eye.”
Ms. Treber concurs that these virtuous women existed. It’s just that they were in the minority.
Myths, however, play a vital role in building and maintaining a vibrant culture. They are also often built upon a false foundation.
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Excellent article, Gen. Satterfield on these “rubble women.” The sentiment is good, the reality a bit different. Welcome to the modern world where looks supersede reality.
Huh?
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for your on-going dedication to tell us stories of great import. I had never heard of these rubble women and probably would not have if it weren’t for you and me reading about it today. Keep up the great work you are doing for us all.
Entertaining and enjoyable article that hits to the truth of post war WW2.
Who would have known unless someone was willing to challenge the myth, study what actually happened, and was willing to stand up and tell the truth.
“Throughout Germany, there is a repeated motif in statues: A woman, with a hammer in her hand, her hair pulled up in a kerchief, looks determinedly into the distance. The statues are monuments to the Trümmerfrau (“rubble woman”) who is revered in German history for her help in rebuilding the country after World War II.”
Under, you are right about that and this historian is a hero herself for what she has done.
Woke historians are everywhere and have the top jobs in major univerisites. it is a breath of fresh air to see one of them who in not WOKE.
Yep, of course. 😁
Enjoyable reading today, Gen. Satterfield. Thank you.
Historian Leonie Treber recognizes that many cities and people look to the Trümmerfrauen as a large movement of heroism and strength. She acknowledges that they existed just not to the degree popularized by today’s German politicians.
From Wikipedia ….
Fashion
In the years of 1945 to 1946, fashion in Berlin began to change at a very quick rate, so fast that it was shortly thereafter labeled the fashion capital. During the war, women sold just about everything they owned for food. The stockings on their legs and carpets in their homes could be exchanged for a sack of potatoes. Once the Allied soldiers arrived and the long process of clearing the rubble began, the Trümmerfrauen realized that they could continue to sell the objects they found in other buildings during this time. A large number of rags were pulled out from beneath the debris. A few of the old shop owners pulled out their sewing machines and began to stitch the rags together into dresses. The dresses were titled, “Lumpenkleider”, meaning “rag dresses”.
Fortunate women possessed rag dresses that made them much better at attracting Allied soldiers. The strategy was so beneficial that people began to make many garments out of “mitgebrachten stoffen” – “salvaged material”. Eventually, many women attained dresses and used prostitution, then tolerated, as a night job while clearing rubble during the day. The busy nights led to a growing entertainment industry of many cabarets and bars in Berlin.
Very interesting details. There is more to the myth than what meets the eye.
Interesting and important. This tells us a lot about humans.
Gen. Satterfield, while these women voluntarily rebuilding Germany may be largely false, there is still some truth in the myth and that probably explains the strength of the myth itself and that it will continue.
I never knew and I visited Germany several times in the last decade.