1939 War Myths on German Fifth Column Langer

The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt, by Rulka Langer. 2009

Insights into the 1939 Siege of Warsaw, the Early German Occupation of Conquered Poland, and the Beginnings of the Polokaust

I am delighted to see this book back in print (but my review is of the original 1942 edition). It describes the German rape of Poland through the eyes of a Varsovian (note that the mermaid is a symbol of Warsaw). Owing to the fact that the author managed to leave German-occupied Poland in early 1940, this book is not colored by later military and political events.

In common with many Poles, Langer had long believed that Hitler was bluffing about his aggressive intentions towards Poland, and that the French and English would give effective aid to Poland were she in fact attacked. The mobilization of Polish forces had been incomplete before the German attack (p. 145)[owing to western pressure for Poland not to “provoke” Hitler].

GERMAN TERROR BOMBING IN 1939

The Luftwaffe bombed obviously-nonmilitary targets (e. g., pp. 70-71), and systematically strafed columns of fleeing civilians. However, they failed to knock out a bridge despite repeated bombing runs. (p. 155). The rain-free weather in the first weeks of the war was an asset to Germany, so much so that the Germans called it “Hitlerwetter”. (p. 173).

THE GERMAN FIFTH COLUMN WAS VERY REAL

This book gives some insight into 1939-war espionage and counterespionage. East of Brzesc, Franek reported seeing someone giving flashlight signals from a church steeple to German planes overhead. (p. 300). At one point in time, Langer herself had been suspected of being a German spy or commando, owing to such things as her inquisitive behavior, then-lack of personal identification, and wearing of non-Polish shoes. (p. 133-135). Her shoulders were checked for bruises. (p. 135). This would’ve been a telltale sign of a German commando who had been parachuted-in, since parachute openings jerk on the straps and produce bruises. Her identification was located, and she was freed.

POLISH HEROISM AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS

The author observed the evacuation of the Polish government. Warsaw’s Poles remained defiant despite the mounting casualties and the overwhelming military superiority of the German invaders. The semi-invalid Franek said: “I still can shoot a rifle, and as long as I have to die some day anyway, I may as well die now fighting the Germans.” (p. 68). When leaflets were dropped calling on Warsaw to surrender or face complete destruction and complete extermination of her people, Poles scoffed at it. (p. 220).

Towards the end of September, German units had completely surrounded Warsaw, and the bombing and shelling of the capital were now occurring nonstop. Electricity and water were knocked out, preventing the fighting of fires. People had to eat pigeons (p. 206). The lack of water was the official reason given for Warsaw’s surrender. The estimated number of Varsovian civilians killed in the 1939 war ranged from 17,000 to 185,000. (p. 264). [If I remember correctly, the currently-accepted death toll is 40,000].

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE POLOKAUST

The end of the 1939 War was only the beginning of Poland’s agony. The brutalities of the German occupation soon began. All the priests were arrested. (pp. 298-299). Shortly thereafter, teachers met the same fate. (p. 305). In time, some of these were released. High schools remained closed, because: “Inferior races do not need higher education.” (p. 307). The Germans took everything of value for themselves. Of course, this was only the beginning.