War Girls Complete Collection Chapter 348

Chapter 15

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gain, rumors spread like wildfire. But as always, the Russians promised the moon and delivered nothing. Johann didn’t get his hopes up anymore, because nothing was worse than the resulting disappointment. So, he didn’t pay attention to the newest talk about

Heimkehrer

transports.

But then one evening Helmut came rushing to him and yelled, “We’re all going home!”

It took Johann a few moments to process the information, but then a huge grin spread across his face. “It’s for real this time?”

“They say the camp will be closed and everyone sent home,” Reiner added.

“You think it’s true?” Johann asked.

“One can never be sure, but the commandant himself said that by Christmas this year everyone will be home. Not only our camp, but every single POW who’s still in Russia.”

“By Christmas?” Johann’s face took on a wistful expression. It was only spring, but with the prospect of going home, he could hang on some more months.

“That’s what he said.”

The next morning during roll call, the rumors were confirmed. The commandant gave a short speech about the virtues of communism and how they needed good people in Eastern Germany to help rebuild the country.

Johann squinted his eyes. He didn’t like the implications one bit. His last residence had been in Munich, now in the American zone, and he didn’t know anyone in the Soviet sector.

“We’re organizing three transports and sending everyone home – everyone who’s still in the camps in our great Soviet Union, even SS, police, and officers, everyone at all. You will all spend Christmas with your families,” the commandant said.

Every single

plenni

in the camp hung on the commandant’s words, soaking up the promise of freedom. It was like an energy boost, and a humming tension filled the air.

But the very next day the commandant’s deputy put a damper on their joy. “…if you want to go home, you need to become a best-worker first!”

The collective shock in the camp cut the air like a whip. Suddenly everyone stood straighter.

“A best-worker?” Helmut groaned. “Aren’t they exploiting us enough already?”

“Apparently not,” Johann whispered back.

In the following days, the men worked even harder than usual, doing everything to become best-workers and earning their transfer home. The carrot dangling in front of their noses, they forced their haggard bodies to work longer and harder than ever before. Many men passed out from the superhuman efforts and, sadly, some didn’t live to earn the title of best-workers.

About a week later, when Johann returned from his work detail, Helmut came rushing toward him. “We’re on the list! We’re on the list!”

Johann fell into the arms of his friend, and one by one his comrades told the same good news. A collective sigh went through the camp. This time the Russians would keep their promise. They would all go home to their families.

Johann dreamt about Lotte. Walking with her hand in hand. Drinking a beer. Eating food until his stomach was full. Taking her to bed and finally making love to her again. A tear threatened to spill down his cheek and he quickly blinked it away.

“What will you do first when you get home?” Helmut asked him.

Johann grinned. “Kiss my girl.”

That comment drew similar remarks from a number of the men, and sobering comments from others. Men who hadn’t received notes from the loved ones they had left behind. Men who didn’t know if they had families left to go home to.

The next day everyone on the

Heimkehrer

list received new clothing: a dark blue padded jacket, blue fatigues and a blue shirt. But before putting them on, the men had to endure the delousing procedure.

Naturally, nobody complained, and Johann relished the feeling of being bug-free. He put on the brand-new clothing and gave a sigh of relief. It was such a joy to wear soft and clean things.

Now all they had to do was wait. The first transport was supposed to leave within forty-eight hours. Giddy with anticipation, Johann sorted his meager belongings.

Lotte’s photograph was always in his breast pocket. He ran his finger across her face and whispered, “Soon, I’ll be with you, my love. Very soon.” He put the photo into the pocket of his new shirt.

A frightening thought occurred to him. He’d find Lotte, and then what? He didn’t have a job, had never learned anything apart from being a soldier. Without being able to provide for her, he couldn’t even ask her to marry him. Shock settled deep down in his soul as he realized he’d have to start his new life from zero again.

Nothing was ever going to be the same.

He willed the worrisome thoughts away and meticulously checked his other belongings: the tin mug for soup, a knife carved out of wood in many nights’ work, an extra pair of socks and a woolen undershirt. That was all. He decided to keep the knife as a reminder but would give away everything else to a needy comrade. Who knew how long before the second transport left the camp? They sure could use the extra stuff.

Those not on the list stared with unconcealed envy at the lucky men in the shiny, new clothes. While Johann felt sorry for them, he couldn’t stop grinning at his own good fortune in returning home soon.

Skoro domoi

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