The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-06-06
Fighting for Postwar I;
Existence in Germany


proved more harrassing than the for
tunes of the battlefield to many of
the thousands Of German officers who
survived the war. They numbered
some 100000 at the time of the arm
istice. While the marjority held only
wartime commissions, there were
large number of veterans for whom
the lifting smoke of the conflict re-
vealed that they had suddenly been
uprooted from their chosen careers
and were forced to begin again in
new fields. 1t was especially diff
cult for the aged officers, who were
no longer vigorous and adaptable
enough to battle effectively in an
economic maelstrom already burden
ed with keen competition.
The German army and navy in
peace times included an active Off
GERS corps of 55,76O, of whom $1,000
were in the military forces. When
the war broke out, this list was aug
mented by 100000 of those who were
retired or on reserve. In addition
there was the commissioned staff of
the medical branches numbering 3d.
406.. The total loss in the corps
amounted to about $4,000 killed IaiiG
96,213 wounded.
Since the Treaty of Versailles per-
mitted the retention of but 1000 Of
ficers in the Reichswehr, vast ma
jority of the war survivors became
factors for absorption in civilian pur-
suits. Today they are to be found in
nearly every walk of life, some nav
ing even resorted to the positions Cf
waiter and porter in order to gain a
livelihood. Some were connected with
trade, labor, or industry through fam
lily ties and thus found situations
comparatively easily. Others return
ed to official positions, and part en-
listed in the newly organized Securi-
ty Police.
| A considerable section of the ex-
officers turned to university callings;
particularly could they be seen at
judicial and medical lectures and in
polytechnic schools. In the first pc
riod of transition, some worked in
subordinate executive positions as as
sistants and some at manual labor,
even as miners.
There are none of the larger bank
ing and industrial concerns today in
which former officers are not active.
In some banks one runs across an
occasional general Former staff Of
ficers were in position to receive
tempting industrial offers because of
their unusual preparation and their
knowledge of languages. Already
before the war, officers were in de-
mand in the insurance field as in
spectors and agents, and this number
has been noticeably increased. The
automobile industry, too, has attract
ed many. Detective agencies and
warehouses have employed them in
divers capacities.
In short, the huge network of Ger
many's trade, commerce and indus
try is fairly dotted with these for
mer heads of companies, battalions,
and other units in the old and war
time armies. They are In the mines.
metal works, machine factories, elec-
trio plants, technical Offices, quarries,
and export houses; some have drifted
into the film industry.
The former surgeons-major in the
army have condescended to be mere
medical men or have become special
lists in their profession. Many went
into the chemical industry or took
places in hospitals. Officers blinded
IN the war were mostly instructed at
the School for Blind at Marburg
where they studied political economy
and simultaneously learned typewrit-
ing and stenography.
Certain of the officers who, after
the close of the war, resolved to be-
gin life anew as settlers in some for.
eign land, are reported to have had
really unhappy experiences. Some
died miserably after sore privation:
while some few others succeeded in
getting back to the Fatherland.
Only small minority made real
progress abroad. Very few left the
country, however, it is said, and the
charge that German ex-officers since
the war have joined foreign armies
and navies is regarded here as un-
| founded.
The marked transformation in
mode of living has varicusly affected
the family life of Officers, not all
of whom can maintain their former
social status. For example, there is
the case of the well-known First
Lieutenant Berg, who in the world
war was the commander of the Gap
pam," taken as prize ship by the
'Moewe.' He obtained situation in
Hamburg leaving his wife and chill
dren III the Danish town of Apenrade
formerly German. With his slender
income Berg was unable to meet the
cost of his family's upkeep, which
became increasingly high due to the