Spotlight on Fifth Column Theory

Spotlight on Fifth Column Activities

This is Jason again! I have admitted to Sarah many times the ways in which my high school history classes have come alive through this project and how I am mindful of just how little I paid attention in these classes (Sorry, Mr. Wallace). So when a reference was made to fifth column activities, I realized it was something I had probably learned, but was not coming to my mind. So I will give a little background on how this term came about and then the reality of this issue as it became relevant for Opa.

Wikipedia defines it generally as “any group of people who undermine a larger group—such as a nation or a besieged city—from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or nation.” The article goes on to say the term came from the Spanish Civil War when Emilio Mola, a Nationalist General, told a journalist in 1936 that as his four columns of troops approached Madrid, a "fifth column" of supporters inside the city would support him and undermine the Republican Government from within. The term was then widely used in Spain. Ernest Hemingway used it as the title of his only play, which he wrote in Madrid while the city was being bombarded, and published in 1938 in his book The Fifth Column and the First Forty-Nine Stories.

It became a tactic in the military world and was suspected to be used particularly when Holland and France were taken so quickly by Germany in 1940. Many credited it to the help of Nazi sympathizers in those countries. This idea was escalated by a series of photos in LIFE Magazine on June 17, 1940 (pictured here, with a transcription of the text below so you can read it). Following LIFE, TIME and The New York Times also ran articles about Fifth Column activities becoming an issue. 

It is no coincidence that in late June, there are rumblings about both Tom (Opa) and Professor Naumann and whether they could be participants in this. It makes me wonder how many refugee students were experiencing this and how many were actually adversely affected because of these fears. As I look at other refugees files, I will be keeping an eye out for this and might report back more. I would also be interested to see if any other college presidents took the time and energy to stand up for their teachers and students amidst this scrutiny.

Transcription:

Speaking of Pictures...These are signs of Nazi Fifth Columns Everywhere

The destructive ability of the German Fifth Columns in recent weeks has made Americans justifiably suspicious of Nazis living in their midst. For several years LIFE photographers, poking their cameras into all parts of the world, have run across many a German Fifth Column in the making. Shown here is a worldwide sample, including non-Germans like French Canadian Fascists (directly below) and young American Nazis (opposite page), whose dubious loyalty to their native lands makes them fellow travelers in the Nazi camp. The inclusion of pictures of successful Fifth Column elements in Czechoslovakia. Poland and Belgium on page 13 is a brutal reminder that the striking power of these small Nazi groups is not to be sneered at. Together these photographs serve as Exhibit A to the claim that Hitler is seeking world domination. 

Of the millions of Germans living abroad, most get their cue from the Deutsche Auslands Organisation (“League of Germans Living Abroad”), an organic part of the German Foreign Office. The Auslanders have orders to deal only with other Germans in all social, economic, cultural and political matters. Germans slow to accept Hitlerism find themselves ostracized, boycotted and sometimes beaten into a more rapid conversion.

In this easygoing hemisphere these Nazis and their allies have been allowed to turn hard-won native liberties into foreign-instigated license. Now, under the stress of total war, Canada has outlawed 16 “communazi” parties, arrested several leaders. In Latin America, especially Uruguay, a much-needed housecleaning is in progress. Significantly in the U.S. the Federal Bureau of Investigation last week pressed plans to add 500 new agents to its force to spot and fight this hydra-headed menace. 

June 26, 1940: Is there Hope?

Letter from Opa to Miss Thieman of AFSC

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner           McPherson, 6-26-40.

McPherson College

Miss Annelids Thieman

American Friends Service Committee

20 South Twelfth Street

Philadelphia               RE: Ella Doeppner

Dear Miss Thieman,

My cousin in New York wrote to me the other day and mentioned a friend of hers, who is able and perhaps willing to give an affidavit for my mother. However, my cousin told hi, that it would be useless to give any affidavit for the time being, because it would have to be renewed different times before it can be used. On the other hand, I heard from people here in McPherson, that there are just a few people in Germany who are able at all to leave, that the quota for Germany is not even filled. If that would be true, the American council would probably give the visa as soon as an affidavit is present. I would like very much if you would tell me which of these two contradictions is right. It is not sure if I shall be able to get the mentioned affidavit at all, and thus it is rather a general question: Shall I go ahead looking for an affidavit, or would that be of no use?

Another question: From your experiences which cases like this, what time do you think it will probably take to get my mother over, if at all? And: are there any ship communications with Germany after the recent changes in Europe?

I would appreciate very much if you will answer these questions. I thank you again very much for all the trouble and work you have with this case.

Sincerely,

Thomas Doeppner.

Opa wants to know: does his mother have a chance of coming to America? He has some possible leads, he has heard some positive rumors that there might be room on the list even if Ella is far down on the numbers. He's basically asking Anneliese Thieman: is there hope?

He probably sent this letter with hope and dreading the response. He asks the question clearly, and he might not get the clear response he wants.

June 26, 1940: Mama Fear

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Nr. 29

Berlin, Charlottenburg, June 26, 1940

My very dear boy,

You were correct, you should have written something about your inner feelings again.

Both of us have been busy with Pattilein’s life at this time, who now has her own, and is starting her own family, but will always remain a part of us. More and more I can feel how strongly we belong to each other. I always feel, if I stretch out my arms widely, I could physically reach you. I want you to feel and give to you lots of love and strength. I wish, henschenkind That both of you should have this and also give to me. I also believe that everything you (both of you) do and think is good and will contribute to encourage all good things. How much I would love to be with Pattilein, especially now. I have strong feelings of gratitude for her in-laws, who made her happiness possible.  Hopefully soon I can tell them all of this and prove my thankfulness. I have not received a letter from you this week. I still have not heard about your birthday, if you received Rilke. I am also very worried if you can tolerate 10 hours of harvesting in that Kansas sun and heat. Whenever I suffer a bit from heat here, I think of my little boy, and then have the Mama fear. I hope that soon I will get a detailed report about everything.

Did Hanna sent you a reply? Are you in contact with Ellenruth? Did you write to Rose?  

Through Mrs. Halle I heard that Gis received a letter from you, but she did not know anything about its contents, because she talked to Gis only for a short time. I think I will hear from her soon.  

Do you know if Pattilein will still make her exam, even though she is married now? I would be delighted if she would continue to work. She must have a profession to be able to stand on her own feet. I am waiting for your grades!!

I will now write to the Shelley’s on Sunday, I could not do it last Sunday.  

Remain my good boy,

I kiss you many times 

Your Mama

Your last letter was dated June 2, 1940

Here we have Ella reminding herself and Opa to write with their inner feelings. The last few letters have been sort of casual and wrapped up in news of Patti's marriage.

Ella takes her step by sharing her thoughts of how connected she feels with her son, and how she imagines she can just reach out and hug him. She longs to do that with him and Patti. She is grateful that Patti has in-laws who are acting as surrogates right now- and hopes that soon she can show them her appreciation. 

Ella has so much faith in the goodness of her children. It makes me so happy. Her faith in them translates into hope for humanity- it's what keeps her going. Her love for her children is profound, deep, enduring. I wonder if Opa or Patti realized just how dedicated their mother was to them. I imagine they had an inkling. 

I love that Ella calls her concern for Opa working in the fields in the hot summer "Mama Fear" - and she has a point. Kansas farms aren't a picnic. I bet Opa got pretty strong that summer!

I love also how supportive Ella is of her daughter's independence. She is thrilled for her to have a husband and to be supported spot kindly by her in-laws, but she wants her to be able to support herself and be independent if necessary. Ella was so pragmatic and seemingly ahead of her time! She knew from experience that a woman should be able to be self-sustaining. I love that she supports Patti's marriage and also her endeavor to study and succeed in that way. 

How may times I wish I could have met Ella, spent time with her, be near her. She feels like a mother to me and I sometimes have this strange longing to know her better and to talk to her. 

June 20, 1940: NO Hands in Pockets!

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Nr. 28

20.VI.40 (20 June 1940)

Berlin, Charlottenburg

Droysenstrasse 14

My very beloved boy,

Finally today I received news from you.  However I am not quite comforted about you, I hope you can withstand this heavy farm work of harvesting in the heat. Please, henschenkind, write more often, inspite of being very tired. Today’s letter was dated June 2^nd, 1940, the one before May 18^th 1940. In the meantime you had your birthday, which you did not mention at all. Have you had news from Papa at all? Please write to me about it. I don’t hear anything from him.

Through Kurt I heard that Pattilein had gotten married already. I cannot tell you how much these news have calmed me down and made me happy. If only I could give my very very best wishes for my child. (she actually says as much as burning wishes, which is used in German for something you really really want) How hard it is for me, not to be able to take her into my arms, and tell her everything I wish for her, for her future. But I believe she can feel how I am with both of you! Her in-laws must be splendid people, I am very thankful, that they have given my child a home. And I believe that their love is so strong, that both of them will remain happy. I have to think of her continuously, of her and you.

Thank you for the picture. But please do not stuff your hands into your pant pockets! The Amercans have many good things you can accept for yourself, but hands in pant pockets is a bad habit.

Who is Esther ??? You never wrote details about her, or has the letter gotten lost? Anni was here last week, and always when she comes by, I am glad. She is so fresh and natural, everything about her is genuine and self evident, that is our Anni. I read your letter to her and showed her the pictures, which she took along to show to Gis, who right now has very little time. I mean pictures from the last letter.

Henschenkind on the picture of you and Professor Myers, I don’t like either one of you, must have been a bad picture, but you look very nice on the picture with Professor ?? And in Garden City you must have been giving a speech. Sports shirts look better on you than stiff collars. I will write to the Shelley family on Sunday, I am too tired today, it is very late already. In the meantime tell them that I am very grateful for their kindness to my child. I am to tell you hello from all our friends and old acquaintances, especially from Anni, who is still working way too hard. I always have to read your letters to her, and now and then I share one with her. It is good that we have different tastes, she really liked the picture of you high on the horse, and I the one in the laboratory. Hopefully she will like the one with Phil Myers this time!!!!  Will I hear anything about your birthday and the wedding at the farm? I am glad you did not drive to Chicago.

Did you write to Ellenruth? Have you heard anything from Herting? If you ever see her, give her many many greetings from me. I think of her and worry and would love to hear from her, to know she is well. Uschi is doing quite well.

I kiss you,my beloved boy. And I congratulate you for Pattilein’s wedding.

Your Mama, who is longing for all of you so terribly

Oh Ella. She embodies "Mother" in all the marvelous, ridiculous ways. Opa can't even send a picture without her telling him which shirts look better on him and whether or not he should pick up the American habit of putting your hands in your pockets. I love that you get a taste of Opa's "Americanization" with Ella's response. It's like she says- they might think that's OK- but it's not! 

I used to think that Ella's constant request for letters was a bit over the top. But now I realize that they were for her a life line. They are her only source of information, her only source of hope. Also, I think I mentioned this before, they were a sign to the Nazi censors that someone somewhere cared about her and about what happened to her. As a vulnerable Jewish woman living by herself, having a handful of letters coming from around the world, especially America, may possibly have given Ella even a thin shell of protection. I don't have anything to back this up, but I get the impression that Ella is asking for letters for many reasons, so of which we may not know.

I love that Anni visits Ella. When we visited with her in Germany in 2013, she didn't really remember Ella very well. I wish she had. Ann was also mentally a little bit off, I believe the war and its consequences did significant damage to her soul. She was not a whole, healthy person. She had become estranged from most of her friends and family. I think she always had that strong personality, but obviously not so strong or disoriented when she was with Ella. She provided Ella with a lot of comfort. I think some of the comfort she offered was that she was a very real connection to Opa. Ella saw in her that same adventurous and inquisitive spirit. For Ella- visiting with Anni and talking about Opa might have been as close as she could get to the feeling of being with Opa. 

I remember something similar to this happening to someone I know. My little sister's very dear friend was killed by a drunk driver when she was in middle school. Her parents were completely devastated. But I remember they wanted to spend time with their daughter's friends. My mom marveled at how they could do that, she thought it would be too hard for her if she were in their place. But then she said maybe it was because it was the closest they could get to having even just a part of their daughter near them again- in the memories and behaviors of these middle school kids. 

I wonder if that was how Ella felt about Anni when she visited, and Gisela. 

Until Ella sees her children again, she will continue mothering them from afar- critiquing their poses and shirt choices. If she were any different, I think it would feel inauthentic. 

June 12, 1940: Government Letters 101

Letter from James L Houghteling at INS to Opa

Transcription:

U.S. Department of Labor

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Washington

June 12,1940

Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College,

McPherson, Kansas

Dear Sir:

We are acknowledging receipt of your recent letter at this time so that you may know it has been received and is being given attention.

Reply to your inquiry may be delayed because the number of communications and applications for various immigration and naturalization purposes sent to this Service has greatly increased on account of unusual conditions both in the United States and foreign countries. You are assured, however, that the matter will be handled as promptly as possible.

Should further inquiries be made by you before you receive formal response, they can only serve to delay your reply as your original letter or application will undoubtedly be moving through the necessary channels of indexing, searching for appropriate files and handling by those responsible for the particular part of the work of the office concerning which you wrote.

Very truly yours,

James L. Houghteling

Commissioner.

This letter is hilarious. Government letter 101. "Hi- we got your letter. We won't be responding for a while because we are overwhelmed. Don't ask any more questions because it makes things more complicated. Thanks!"

Oh man, I can't say much else. I guess Opa is safe to remain in the country because Mr. Houghteling sure isn't going to keep track. 

June 11, 1940: Young Again

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Nr. 27

Berlin-Charlottenburg,

 Droysenstrasse 14

June 11^th 1940

My beloved boy,

Your letter of May 18^th calmed me down a bit, because now I know you are taken care of. From the fact that you were elected president of your club, I can indicate that you will be at McPherson college for the next semester.  Please, Henschenchild, write in details what you are doing, especially how Patti is, I am so terribly worried about her. As soon as you hear from her, contact me. I actually expected a letter from you today. I hope I can assume that you write at least once a week. You are the only one I hear from, since Papa not understandably still has not written. On Saturday Ann’chen called his office again and was told, Papa is doing well. Thank you for the pictures, henschenchild. You can imagine how much joy they give me!

You want me to send you a better one of me? As soon as I have one, but I look so old now! But I know when I am with both of you again, I will be young again, or should I say younger! The picture of you on horseback, with your English Professor, I gave to Ann’chen. Is she an American? I am curiously waiting for your report about the exams and your birthday, every day. Henschenchild you have to write to me more often!!!!! Next week I will visit a girlfriend to hear if they know something about Patti, they made some inquiries for me. Grete S now is in Vienna, but will probably return to Berlin.

I kiss my boy

Mama

You know the old saying "Call your mother"- the older saying here is "write your mother!!" (If you say it in a New York accent it helps).

Opa has calmed his mother with news of his being elected to be president of the international relations club. This tells her two things: that he will be in school next year, and that he is accepted among his peers. I know she must have been proud of his efforts to do all the good he could. 

Ella is desperate for mail. Her sources of mail have dried up- Patti in Nazi-occupied France is unable to write, and August in Nazi-occupied Holland seems to be unable. Ella seems to think August should be able to write. It just occurred to me that it is kind of interesting that August was writing to Ella regularly. I just wonder what the dynamics were for Ella and Emma. Perhaps they were very civil and cordial. Renate, Ella's niece, said that she heard that the family was sort of divided by this divorce and August's marriage to Emma, but that the war brought everyone back together. They put their differences aside.

I hope Opa is writing Ella often. I know she puts a lot of pressure on him and he is not idle- but she's so alone and isolated. I'm grateful that she has Ann'chen to keep her connected to news on August, and likely other benefits that come from having someone who is not Jewish looking after you.

The statement that Ella said about her aging - how a new picture would show how old she had gotten- that broke my heart. I bet that she was completely honest in this. The she said that she would be young again when she saw her children again. Sigh. 

Before I wrap this up I have to pick out the funny  and lighthearted piece of this letter. Opa sent a picture of himself on horseback with a professor. I don't know why but my first mental image when I read that was of Opa and this professor sitting on perfectly groomed show horses like in some British polo magazine. That made me laugh! Then I realized- this is Kansas. These are farming folk- and the picture was probably far more rodeo than polo. Hahaha!

Now we must hope that Ella will have a chance to grow young again.

June 8, 1940: Americanized Hope

Letter from Opa to Gisela

Translation:

McPherson, 6/8/1940

Dear Gis,

I was really seriously overjoyed when your card arrived today. Actually, I had been waiting for some news from you for a long time, but I thought you didn’t want to write anymore. Well, that’s all the more joy your card brought today.

Gis, you can’t despair about life and humanity, even if sometimes every dreadful thing seems hopeless. Think how all people have to fight with themselves; there is hardly anyone as strong as you, who even today still haven’t lost your aspiration, the aspiration to a better world! Even I wasn’t strong enough, at least I’ve changed a lot, I’m a bit “Americanized” and certainly not just in a good sense. But there’s one thing I’ve held onto, or I should say, gotten back: trust. Trust in humanity, and also trust in fate. It seems so hard, when you speak of the way that we once wanted to go together. That way we still want to go together, whether we ever see each other again or not. It’s too important for personal stuff to be able to stop that! And also, the personal: as good—best—friends we will always go together! We should write each other more often, update each other on everything; that helps in every respect. I chose a very easy way, but today I don’t regret it anymore; I can do far more on this path than I ever could have done otherwise. I have influence on people here, who look at a German as if he’s the eighth wonder of the world. So a lot of work of raising awareness can be done, and the people give me really good opportunities for that. The colleges, high schools and universities in Kansas often ask me to speak, a job which in America means a lot. Naturally this is a much, much easier way, especially compared to the one I would have gone down in Europe, but I just don’t know if I would have been capable of that. Another good thing that’s available to me here is an office I’ll be filling next year. The student body of the college elected me president of the International Relations Club. Now, that’s a lot of potential work to do! All that is only possible in the winter, during the school year, though; in the summer, I have to earn money. You know that my father can’t send me anything, especially now, and studying costs about three to four hundred dollars a year.  I won a relatively big scholarship for this next year, but there’s still plenty I have to earn. At the moment I have two jobs: on a farm and at a library. On the farm I work mornings from 5 to 7 and evenings from 5:30 to 9:30, and at the library from 8-12 and 1-5.  Both kinds of work are fun for me! At the library I work a “short period” during the school year, too, so that I’m already an assistant librarian; that makes a big difference in salary. For July I have a job on a huge farm, where I help with the harvesting. For that they pay a wonderful salary here, I’ll make something like four dollars a day!

So you see that I’m working this summer for nothing more than myself, but I don’t think that’s wrong or selfish. If I didn't do it I would have to interrupt my studies, and that would disqualify me.  

From your return address I see you are still in this children’s home. Is there still work for you there? Is it still just as stressful? What are your parents doing now? It must be unspeakably hard for them! My God, I now feel so mean that everything is going so good for me here. Does the group still exist? I don’t believe that you all have to worry too much. At least not according to the news we get here. I know a place where a person can make inquiries. I’ll write to them again today and have a report sent to you. Of course it will take a little while.  

Yes, my sister got engaged, and is getting married on June 20. It does seem a little strange to me; the last time I saw her, we were both practically children, and now? I can also hardly believe that I’m almost 20, and even so: how much has happened in these few years!

Well, now I’d better be getting to bed, since I have to get up tomorrow morning at 4:30.  Please, Gis, write again soon. I don’t want us to become strangers to each other. Give me an update on everything: on Berlin, on the group, on your work, and especially on you!

In sincere friendship!

Tom

Opa and Gisela's letters are so unique. I wish we had Gisela's side. I read this letter a few times, and I think there is some dynamic happening here that we miss because we don't have Gisela and Anni's letters. (Or Opa's letters to Anni) Remember that Anni and Gisela are sisters and there was a little bit of a love triangle here. Opa loved Anni, Anni loved Werner (who died in the war), and Gisela loved Opa. The hard part is that Opa sincerely cared for Gisela and wants their friendship to endure. He says that their friendship is too important and their common goals (I'm going to simplify and say "world peace") should be still their shared vision and place of camaraderie. Gisela said she and Opa took long walks together often- so I'm guessing they talked a lot about how they saw the world, and how they wanted to do good things and make peace with what gifts they had. 

It sounds like Gisela is starting to despair with the evil that confronts her in Germany. She wants to believe and hope for a world that is better and beautiful, but the things around her are stamping out her hopeful spirit. We can't blame her. We don't know what her daily life confronts her with at the children's home, but we do know her parents faced constant interrogation from the Nazis and constant surveillance. 

Opa is starting to deal with his survivor's guilt a little bit, recognizing that while he has it easy in comparison to the rest of his friends and family, he is able to do more good than he could have had he stayed in Germany. There isn't a measurable way that Opa can prove that, as we have no idea what would have happened to him had he stayed in Germany. The most probable outcome would have been his involuntary draft into the army or some form of punishment if he had not willingly joined. I can't imagine what his life would have been like if he had not been able to leave. I honestly think the best case scenario might have been death. Maybe I'm being too dramatic- but if he were forced to join the Nazi army- what terrors would he have faced? If he refused?

Instead he is able to spend hours in the library, mornings and evenings on the farm, and the spring and fall in the classroom. There is no Nazi official at his door, no army draft letter, no skirmishes on the streets to avoid. He knows he has infinite more luck than most of his friends and his family. He makes his peace by being the voice of the rational and kind German wherever he will be heard. I didn't realize he was offered the opportunity to speak throughout the area. I know he had opportunities in the college, but I didn't realize he had outside engagements. Opa masters the humble-brag as he's listing all his wonderful endeavors while also pretending to be humble about it. Ha.

Opa feels himself being Americanized- but he tells Gisela that he has gained something valuable: the ability to trust. I think this is another way to say hope in humanity. Opa had been on the receiving end of so much good and kindness that he got a little bit of his trust in people back. He tries to give some of that hope to Gisela, who is on the other end of that spectrum- seeing so much anger, fear, and hatred that her hope in humanity is waning. Opa offers her hope and promises to continue trying to make a better world with her. 

It makes me wonder about those times when our space in invaded by devastation and despair. No matter where we look- all we see is the bad and evil- we lose hope. It would be so hard to imagine that somewhere, even just over the next bridge, could be hope and kindness. Kindness anywhere is an opportunity for hope.