I’ve always been extremely interested in World War 2 and the Eastern front, or Ostfronten as the Germans called it. Especially sad to me is the loss of German East Prussia, Pomerania and Silesia, along with the massive deaths, displacement and destruction wreaked during that final year of the war, 1945 and the further destruction that took place after. Much of which is barely covered in history books and seems destined to be lost to time forever soon.
One story in particular sticks in my mind, by Alexander Fürst zu Dohna-Schlobitten, who wrote his memoir of living in one such East Prussian castle upto 1945., Schlobitten. I’ve never personally visited the ruins that exist today, but he builds a picture of happiness, contentment and the general continuation of a life that had existed for hundreds, perhaps a thousand years or more, right up until the day he hears the sound of artillery fire from the east and concludes, rightly, that it may be time to go. He orders the house to be packed, the staff to prepare for exit and so begins the march West to escape. Turning briefly with sadness to face his childhood home and that of his ancestors before saying a silent and final goodbye.
The reason I write this is because this is how it rather feels regarding life in Europe generally. The front line has moved West since 1945 and it isn’t artillery that one physically hears in 2024, but a closing of digital prison walls. Walls and bars heralding the death of freedom, personal responsibility and basic rights such as owning your own productivity, bodily autonomy and being able to say what you think or feel about certain subjects.
In another time, we could’ve sat in our centrally heated homes comfortably, but fate has chosen that we must either face the enemy or flee and like Alexander there, in Schlobitten, with resigned sadness I really don’t see that it’s possible to face the enemy and win.
I choose freedom. After all, “He who runs away, lives to fight another day”, right?
Now, you may be wondering where the Gold or Silver connection is. There isn’t one, although I am sure Alexander had financially prepared for this eventuality by placing savings well outside of the crisis and was probably also carrying a supply of gold and silver coins for any eventualities, this post is all about the freedom part of the trio. Perhaps freedom is the most important of all?