GIRLS IN GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 7

GIRLS IN GERMANY

" HAPPY ALL DAY " AUSTRALIAN'S EXPERIENCES What exactly is a German labour camp? As Miss Dorothy Irvine knew it, it was a converted farmhouse in the Black Forest, and occupied by 35 girls who spoke no English and an Australian, herself, who spoke practically no German. In an article in the ‘ Sydney Morning Herald,’ Miss Irvine, a chemical pathologist at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, who has just returned to Australia from Europe, tells of her experiences. This lack of words made no barrier to the frendliness of the girls, but there were occasional difficulties —once it required the efforts of four girls with a dictionary to offer me a bath. “ Do you take a bath? ” they inquired politely ! I was made so welcome by these cheerful people that I was sorry to leave after spending a fortnight with them. It had been surprisingly easy for me to enter the camp. I made an application through a Berlin office; all that was necessary was a certificate of health, and I had to state my reason for wishing to enter the camp. I wrote “ Interest in youth movements in foreign countries.” I also had to write briefly my life history! 1 was told by a young woman official of the organisation that they are eager to admit foreigners to these icamps. The reason for this is that they wish to prove to foreigners that there is nothing sinister about the camps; in fact, that they are very proud of them. _ ■ I was not sent to a specially selected camp, but was able to choose my district. My camp was one of about 200 scattered throughout Germany. At other times I was able to visit two other camps, and found them to be very similar to my own. The full name is “ Woman’s Labour Service Camps.” With the German habit of stringing words together it assumes the rather formidable title of Frauenarbeitsdienstlager! Within the last three months attendance has been made compulsory, and every girl between the ages of 18 and 25, whether she be typist or factory worker, peasant or one of the “idle rich” must give sis months’ service to the State. I am convinced that this service isTvery willingly given. Doubtless the happy community life is an attraction also. The girls’ camps began in imitation of the already existing men’s labour camps. These had been instituted in the terrible depression years for men who were willing to do any work in return for their keep. In 1933, when the new regime took over, the possibilities were realised. Very rapidly the organisation was extended, and in the middle of last year six months’ attendance was made compulsory for all young men prior to their military service. Just think of the works, not immediately productive, which are made possible by such cheap labour. I saw men from a camp within 25 miles from Berlin at work under expert supervision on the conversion of waste lands to land suitable for farmers. In the hills above Heidelberg is an impressive open-air theatre, which w r as built by the Arbeitsdienst men. . It is , not all hard labour. Instruction in skilled work is given. One lad, who had definite artistic talent, was; given the job of painting mural decorations in a, newly-erected hall at a university. MEALS FOR UNEMPLOYED. The work done by the girls is of a different nature, as would be expected. One camp runs a kitchen, providing ing meals for the unemployed of the town. The charge is very small for a good two-course meal, an amount sufficient to cover the costs of the materials being charged. In others, situated near newly-opened farm lands, the girls work in the fields or in the house, so that the farmer’s wife is liberated to do outside work. Each district has its own particular needs, but most camps do farm labour and social help work, in addition to all the work of their own household. Where the mother of a family is ill, or is otherwise in need of help which cannot be paid for, one of the F.A.D. girls will go from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to mind the children, sweep, wash, cook, or mend—do anything necessary. The girls are remarkably capable, as before they go out to any houses they have thorough experience, under the guidance of the camp leaders, in the cooking, washing, etc., of the camp, which is done by the girls in turn. Many camps are able to grow most of their own vegetables. Fowls, pigs, and even sheep are sometimes kept. , , Yes, when a girl goes away from one of these camps she is well fitted to take over the care of a much larger establishment than the home-and-hus-band which is the dearest desire of the majority of German girls.. . I was put to work in the kitchen, a lovely room with tiled walls and the sun " streaming in two big windows. There I helped -wash up and peel potatoes, neither of which needed other explanation than signs. We had potatoes, hot and boiled, cooked in their jackets', cold in salad, or in a stew. But we had them every (jav—about 401 b for 35 people. I peeled them, I scrubbed them, I sliced them. I felt promoted when one day I was given onions; but I soon wept for my potatoes again! . . ~ The meals were simple, although quite sufficient, and were often only one course. If we had soup as well as meat this was served on to the same plate; as chief washer-up I highly approved of this idea. At first washing up without soap or soda was a little difficult, but plenty of hot water in two enormous sinks served very well. GIRLS SING ALL DAY. Singing was a frequent pastime for ’these naturally musical people, and we had a practice almost daily. V\ e sang at flag raising and lowering morning and night. We sang as wo worked, or as we marched in trim ranks three abreast. I found it a happy life. It was even bracing to. join in the/five minutes vigorous exercises on the lawn at o.ou a.m., with the sky blood red m the dawn. I was glad, however, that I had missed the depths of winter, when the ground was 4ft deep in snow, i felt that my gymnastic suit hurriedly pulled over pyjamas would not have been sufficient protection for my shivering limbs. , . , Mv work was over by about 3 o clock, and T was free. The history and propaganda lectures, newspaper_ readings, and weaving lectures were quite beyond my small German. One day we walked albng paths leading through the dark pines which cover every ridge of The Black Forest. Again we strolled .along the banks of the nearby snow-fed stream, running between poplars and willows before it finally reached the open fields and was set to work turning mill wheels. Here I learnt the

German names of the wild violets anil primroses' we gathered. _ The girls looked after their 1 HugUsh Miss,” as they called me, in the friendliest manner possible. Indeed, that I gained 4lb in weight in the fortnight I was with them shewed how effective it was. .. It was with regret that I jut off the ■niform that we all wore—the blue-and-white striped working dress,‘and the blouse and skirt and wind jacket, for outdoor wear. I have an affection for the swastika and wheat sheaves of mv arm badge. Very heartily did I resoond in kind to the Heil Hitlers and “ happy journeys ” which followed me as my train steamed out of the station. Whatever doubts one may harbour regarding some policies of the National Socialists, these camps are very happy, healthv places. The spirit of service and good fellowship actuating them is one which Australians might do well to copy. I