Traumatized Souls: The Forgotten Mass Suicide of Demmin 1945

Traumatized Souls: The Forgotten Mass Suicide of Demmin 1945

A dark chapter in German history is celebrating its anniversary: ​​The mass suicide in Demmin, which occurred between April 30 and May 4, 1945, has left no one unmoved to this day. According to estimates, between several hundred and over 1,000 civilians took their lives in the small Pomeranian town after the Red Army took the town shortly before the end of the Second World War. Professor Stamm-Kuhlmann from MDR reports on the systematic arson attacks that plagued the region and recalls the devastating fate, especially of women, during this time. The horror was omnipresent and the memories of it remain vivid to this day.

Hertha Liebow, an eyewitness, describes her family's traumatic experiences. The rape of her sister not only changed the girl's life, but also tore the entire family into the abyss. She describes her desperate attempt to communicate with her sister, who fell silent after the attack. When the family fled outside, they discovered a woman who had been stabbed, the sight of whom Liebow could not forget until her death. These terrible memories are symptomatic of the fates that many had to suffer during this time.

The events in Demmin

The mass suicide in Demmin began amid murderous hysteria. On the morning of April 30, 1945, the Wehrmacht blew up the bridges over the Peene and the Tollense. This led to the Soviet soldiers, who were advancing at breakneck speed, encountering a wealth of looting and rape. The reports of gunmen who shot at the Soviet soldiers and the massive attacks on women were recorded by contemporary witnesses reported.

During this time, the social structure of the city was severely shaken. While the Wehrmacht withdrew, the residents were left with their fear and desperation. As city archivist Krüger reports, a list by Marga Behnke documented over 400 suicides between May 6 and July 15, 1945, while the exact number of suicides remains unclear even today. Historians estimate that there may have been up to 1,000 suicides. The shame and fear of revenge from the Soviet soldiers may have been a decisive reason for the mass deaths writes Wikipedia.

The memory and the repression

Although numerous contemporary witnesses such as Heinz-Gerhard Quadt reported on their painful experiences, this trauma remained hidden for a long time. Quadt describes how he was able to stop his mother from attempting suicide, which ultimately ensured his family's survival. His lifelong research into the events in Demmin shows that the topic was not dealt with in the GDR for a long time. The disgusting acts of violence committed by the Red Army were often kept secret. Coming to terms with the mass deaths was slow, something Guido Fröschke, who only learned about the events after 1989, notes critically.

The stories of the survivors who suffered remain tragically relevant today. As Florian Huber discusses in his book “Child, promise me that you will shoot yourself,” these suicides are not only individual tragedies, but also represent the collective trauma of an entire generation. The lack of support and the stigmatization of suicidal thoughts is still a problem that should be addressed with sensitivity.

The mass suicide in Demmin is believed to be the largest in German history, and commemorating it is not only a sign of remembrance, but also a warning that such atrocities must never happen again. People with suicidal thoughts are advised to contact trusted people or telephone counseling, as was the case in the dark chapters of history when help often came too late.