After a new attack has robbed thousands and thousands of their possessions and goods, but the affected residents are not immediately placed in homes where there is still space for some fellow residents, some allow their own initiative to take its course first. In this way, a significant percentage – 20 to 30 percent – finds shelter with friends, acquaintances, or family members. There are also numerous agreements like: If you get bombed out, you come to me, if I get bombed out, I come to you. In the meantime, I will store half of my belongings in your cellar, and I will take care of half of your belongings. – January 5th, 1944
The German capital Berlin
Is often bombarded,
By those who are not affected,
They do a lot of thinking.
Almost daily, the British
Now bring new flames of fire,
And our possessions are in danger,
Clothes and underwear.
Even if one is not killed,
The house may still fall prey,
And then one sits there naked and exposed,
Which is not very pleasant.
They think back and they think forth,
But without any results,
It seems there is no way out,
They don‘t know what to do.
Finally, they came up with an idea
A kind of insurance
To reduce the risk,
Within a circle of friends.
If you or I get bombed out –-
Agree with your friend,
That you quickly go to the other
And find refuge there.
Their household goods have been divided,
Half here; half there,
So not everything is lost,
That seems to be the arrangement.
I think it‘s a great idea,
And yet I foresee, Kraut,
That this arrangement is not easy,
If it happens here and there.
Post-Editing: Hanny Veenendaal
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