Were There Any Jewish People Who Were Able to Remain in Berlin During WWII Without Going into Hiding?

During World War II, the persecution of Jewish people reached an unprecedented scale across Europe, with many choosing to go into hiding or flee their homes. However, there were instances where a select few managed to remain in Berlin, one of the centers of the Nazi regime, without going into hiding. This piece explores the unusual circumstances under which Jews lived openly in Berlin, a stark contrast to the atrocities occurring in other parts of Europe.

Open Jewish Life in Berlin for Showcasing Purposes

One of the lesser-known facts about the Holocaust in Berlin is that there were instances where Jewish people lived openly, albeit as a strategic move by the Nazi regime. The goal was to present a picture to the International Red Cross and other monitoring agencies that the Jewish population was not being persecuted, serving as a prop to maintain the Nazi image of the Third Reich.

Valentin Senger: AnExceptional Case

Valentin Senger, a resident of Frankfurt, is one of the few Jews who managed to survive in Berlin without going into hiding. His account is detailed in his book "Kaiserhofstr??er 12", where he describes how he avoided detection and adapted to life among the Germans. A more accessible English translation of his memoir is also available, providing valuable insights into this unique survival story.

Survival in Berlin: The Term 'Submarines'

While the number of Jews who survived in Berlin is not widely documented, it is estimated that they were extremely few. They were colloquially referred to as 'submarines', a term that emphasizes their ability to avoid detection like a submarine evades detection under the water. Their survival was attributed to their assimilation into German society, where they spoke fluently in the local language, unlike in countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Soviet Union, where Jewish people were often easy targets due to their distinctive practices and knowledge of a local language.

The Contrasts in Nazi Germany

The situation in Nazi Germany was starkly different from that in other occupied countries. Jewish people in Germany were well assimilated into society, a factor that complicated their deportation and persecution. While the concept of "Judenfrei" (free of Jews) was somewhat delayed in Berlin until 1943, Jews continued to be found in hiding well into the Soviet advance in 1945. The nature of the German military occupation meant that despite the initial deportation of Jews, resistance and hidden survival tactics remained a possibility.

The End of WWII and the Decline of Nazi Regime

The collapse of the Nazi regime and the onset of the Soviet advance disrupted the precarious existence of these 'submarines'. Overrunning nations and regions is often a chaotic process, with the full pacification of societies taking years. This chaos often facilitated the formation of resistance groups, such as the Forest Soldiers, who operated in isolated regions, including Poland, the Balkans, the Baltics, and even in some Pacific Islands. These groups were known for their resilience, and if they could survive, individuals found in hiding could do so as well, albeit with significant risks.

Survival Tactics and the Aftermath

The earliest known example of survival in hiding after the Nazi regime ended comes from a rather extreme case: the 60-year-old news story of two Japanese soldiers emerging from the jungle. This incident underscores the bravery and resilience required to survive months or years in hiding. While the conditions for a Jew in Berlin might have been better in some aspects, the fear of discovery and the uncertainty of daily life would have been just as constant.

Despite the unique circumstances of Berlin, the overall peril of living as a Jewish person during the Nazi regime was undeniable. The stories of individuals like Valentin Senger provide a rare glimpse into the complex experiences and survival strategies employed by those who managed to escape the horrific realities of the Holocaust.