Contemporary Witness Testimony Wolfgang Huehn

Wolfgang Hühn Hermsdorf, 29.1.2014 E.-Weinert-Str. 14 Hermsdorf 07629 GF Walpersberg e.V. Office Dehna Mühlel Attn: Mr. Gleichmann Eichenberg 07768 Dear Mr. Gleichmann, I was among those from Hermsdorf and visitors from outside who attended your lecture on January 16, 2014, in Hermsdorf. It was a highly interesting and informative lecture for me and the other attendees. You surely noticed this. The discussion was also good, and facts from that time around 1944/45 became known here as well. I especially think of Mr. Richter from Stadtroda and his “experiences” at the rest stop. On April 13, 1945, I was also — before the direct entry of the Americans into Hermsdorf (around 2:30 p.m.) — inside the rest stop and experienced the (special -!) “goings-on” there. I also knew about this “goings-on” — how else could one call it — in the days and (probably) weeks after April 13. Even roof tiles from the building and tiles from walls were being taken for personal use. Thus, the then mayor of Hermsdorf, Wilhelm Sperhake, probably at the end of April/beginning of May, tried to put an end to this activity and to establish something like an auxiliary police force to restore (again) order. It probably succeeded! Incidentally, after April 13 — there were about 200 military vehicles in the forest behind the rest stop, abandoned by the surely fleeing soldiers. I saw these cars — as a fifteen-year-old — at that time. They were stripped at some point afterward and were surely removed months (?) later. Certainly, one could document all the events — April 1945, also the so-called low-flying activity at the Hermsdorf junction from about 8:00 a.m. to around 8:00 p.m., despite 4 quadruple anti-aircraft guns nearby, very likely manned by Luftwaffe helpers. It was absolutely terrible. No one in Hermsdorf dared to go out on the street! For example, I and the other boys of my birth year 1929 were inspected (!!). This took place starting at 6:00 a.m., in the town hall in Hermsdorf. After the completion of this "ceremony" with questioning and examination also by a doctor — officers anyway — I was able to leave again around 8:30 a.m. At that time, I sneaked slowly along the houses on the street to avoid being seen from above. I say it again: planes were constantly flying — especially Lightnings and Thunderbolts, possibly also Mustangs — and practically everything that moved was being fired upon. The pastor of Hermsdorf only conducted a burial at the cemetery at 8:00 p.m. It was a special time back then that the place had to endure. It could probably be expanded further. The same surely applies to the entire territory. But now, first, to continue with my explanations. I was that visitor on that January evening who, as a 15-year-old "Hitler Youth," had to work at Walpersberg. You said I should write down my experiences and perhaps also my thoughts. I hereby do so, but I also know that after almost 70 years it is not entirely unproblematic. Much has faded, certainly been forgotten, and concrete details except for a few special ones are no longer so present. Surely I kept something like a diary back then, but without being able to make concrete statements about some things (specific work, daily routine, etc.). However, I do provide the few words I wrote back then, supplemented with opinions of mine that have accompanied me throughout my life. I am always reminded that back then no consideration was given to my schooling. After all, in October 1944 I had already "missed" 4 weeks because I attended a flight course (with 2 flight tests — new A and B at that time). But that is just by the way. Now — briefly — about Walpersberg — you said on the 16th that I should put it in writing: In my diary I wrote at the time: "1.11. Received call-up for military service." And then further: "2.11. Got up at 4:15, walked to the station" (about 15-20 minutes) "Trip to Göschwitz, then special train to Kahla, marched to Walpersberg" — I say today: certainly not in a column, but on the mountain we, about 1500 boys from the region, at some points — as I vaguely remember — almost in single file, a more than arduous path. Continuing in the text: "to the construction site, carried wood away" (which?) "shoveled. Only at 15:00 did food come, carrots. 16:15 moved off again" (it must have been getting dark?). "19:15 back in Hermsdorf." "3.11. Got up at 4:15, 15:00 food." I remember on that second day there the following cruel and brutal experience that has accompanied me my whole life and I always had before my eyes: In the immediate vicinity where we boys (at the runway under construction) shoveled, there also worked (possibly) Italians, in scant clothing — so I somehow still remember it. Then it happened that these men were sitting in a circle. We boys were curious and ran to this circle. There was a so-called tripod made of wood scraps set up, with a tin can hanging on it, inside — corresponding to the size of the can — were perhaps 8 potatoes, which were to be cooked with a small fire underneath. We few boys were paralyzed at this sight. Under this impression, we did not notice that suddenly a man, dressed in wide breeches, wearing large sheepskin boots, rushed up, stomped on the can with his boots so that it flew 3-4 meters away and the potatoes were scattered around. Then he struck the men with all his might with a club, who scattered. We 15-year-olds had never experienced such a situation — we were frozen, could not comprehend it — and precisely that has accompanied me all my life. Only a few years later did I have to learn many more details about the machinations of this former state, the SS finally, and their other organizations, which practiced atrocities. How else should one call it. Perhaps today I could say that this horrible experience shaped me. But in my diary, especially at this time in early November 1944, I found no further statements. Perhaps this is related to my tense situation at the time. After all, as mentioned above, I was on my feet almost 15 hours daily. One more thing at the end, I already said it that evening: my cousin, Günther Leisering, also born in 1929, was also at Walpersberg, then again in March 1945. He told me that he had to install the antenna on the tail unit of the Me 262 "down in the mountain." When he told me this the first time, I found it quite sensational, so such a thing must have existed. Günther passed away about a year ago. Therefore, no further details about this story and the environment where he had to work can be obtained. With that, I would like to end my brief report. I wish you and all your fellow campaigners further good results. / Best regards | — if po N OLE (And \ LL hte go hy Ä As