Testimony of the Soviet forced labourer Raissa Stepiko, 1998
Forced labourers could move freely around Berlin – Poles and Soviets with more restrictions.
What Janina C. told her son about the end of the war in Berlin.
Alexanderplatz was a meeting point for forced labourers seeking to buy vital goods at the black market. Forced labourers were given a small wage, but no food stamps.
Many went for a walk on the Sundays they had off from work. Some had their photograph taken, dressing as well as possible beforehand, so they could perhaps send it to their parents to let them know they were still alive.
Address:
Alexanderplatz
10178 Berlin
Directions:
S/U Alexanderplatz
Sources:
“Sundays in the City”: Collection of the Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt (1-6)
“In Tietz Department Store”: Testimony of Kazimiera Kosonowska, 1997, and private photo, Collection of the Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt
“Bread Was Handed Out”: Testimony of Janina C.’s son, 2012, Private archive
Station