made him feel much better. At least the old goat knew, who the real boss was now.
The drive home took a little longer than expected. Traffic was pretty fierce today, until he reached the Dueren exit. Once he got on the main Landstrasse (highway) towards the Eifel region, traffic slowed down, and the rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. He pulled up in front of Dieter’s front door at around seven fifteen. Dieter and Kate were waiting for him. She had prepared a great German dinner and was dying to show off her culinary skills. In fact, Cameron had never tasted a better Goulash beef stew and noodles. The noodles were hand made and added to the incredible taste of the dish. Even his wife Ingrid’s cooking, paled to Kate’s cuisine. She had obviously spent a great deal of time on this sumptuous meal.
They all ate their meal in absolute silence. It seemed as if noise of any kind would somehow disturb their enjoyment and ruin their evening delight. Dieter brought out a couple of bottles of Spaetlase (late bloom) sweet Moselle region wines. These vintage wines added to the absoluteness of this meal. In addition, Kate had baked a beautiful Apfeltorte (Apple cake) to finish off this one in a lifetime dinner. Although the meal was consumed in silence, there was a great deal of chatter afterwards. Both men complimented Kate and asked her if she wanted to join them in the living room for an after dinner drink. Kate thanked the men, but declined. She could not stand the smell of cigars, and she knew that her husband could not drink brandy, without smoking a stogie.
Dieter went to his bar and opened a bottle of German brandy. Asbath Uhralt was its name, and it was one of the better brands in Germany. After a couple double shots, both men mellowed out to the point of almost falling asleep. Eventually, Dieter brought up the conversation around to Das Haus. He started to tell Cameron about the historical, political and religious significance of his future new home. Das Haus was more than just a mere stack of stones, bricks and paint, explained Dieter to an exhausted Cameron.
“It is probably the most important house in our village.” explained Dieter as he stood up from his comfortable chair.
“That is a pretty strong statement Dieter. Give me some more details.” Asked Cameron.
Dieter started to tell him an incredible, but true story of a Jewish family tragedy. The story was all about the Goldmann family, and some of the other Jewish inhabitants, who inhabited Niedergeyer and the surrounding villages.
“Did you know that I was Erik Goldmann’s best friend? I played soccer with him for many years? Erik was the best soccer player in our region. We were in kindergarten together and stayed friends, and close buddies until the day he was sent to Buchenwald. I knew him for over thirteen years.” Stated Dieter in a mournful kind of way.
Cameron did not answer at first, but shook his head. Dieter paused for a few seconds; then continued with renewed vigor and determination. He hoped that Cameron would show some interest in this amazing saga.
Initially Cameron was somewhat jaded, but as Dieter continued to expand his tale, his interest grew. Dieter was a great storyteller and managed to capture Cameron’s attention.
“This is a great story, incredible and fascinating. Who would ever thought that such an unbelievable event would have taken place in this little village? Who else knows about these events?” Asked a curious Cameron.
“Well, some of the villagers who are still living will remember the Goldmann family. But no one knows all the details like I do.” Stated an obviously proud Dieter.
“You must tell me more.” Finished an enthralled Cameron Clark.
Krystalnacht The Night of the Crystal
November 8, 9 and 10, 1938
Dieter continued telling his incredible, but true story. He realized that Cameron might not feel the same way he felt, but he plunged ahead anyway.
“The carefully planned and well executed attack on Germany’s Jews was carried out on the nights of November ninth and tenth, nineteen thirty-eight. A scant ten months prior to the beginning of WWII; Hitler had already shown his true colors by taking back the Rheinland from the French in 1936, he sent troops to Spain, annexed Austria etc.” Stated Dieter in a somber tone.
He continued to speak without waiting for Cameron to reply. Cameron sat in his comfortable chair and listened attentively.
Dieter stated. “Those of us who lived here were totally unaware of the historical importance of November 9th and 10th, 1938. To those of us living in Niedergeyer it was a great day in sports history. We had for the first time in almost a century of organized sports won the Divisional Soccer Championship. We were all proud of my best friend, Erik Goldmann. He had single-handedly scored all four goals, and won the game for us. We had no idea that today was also the beginning of Hitler’s horrible plot to destroy all of the Jews in Germany and eventually Europe.”
Dieter paused for a second to wipe a small tear from his right eye. Cameron was amazed to see this somewhat sentimental emotion from Dieter. Cameron had never seen him shed a tear, not for anyone or anything.
Dieter regained his composure, took a deep breath and settled in to his chair. He grabbed one of his favorite cigars and lit up. He was so enthralled, that he forgets to offer Cameron one.
“On this evil and eventful day, Hitler had instructed Dr. Joseph Goebels, the Propaganda Minister, and then Brigadefuehrer (Brigadier+) Reinhard Heydrichs, Himmler’s Deputy, to carry out the carefully planned and well executed attack on Germany’s Jews. This obnoxious and cruel event took place on the night of 9-10 November, 1938.” Continued Dieter with firmness in his voice.
“I am sure you know most of this, but it will give you a historical perspective to the whole drama that occurred on those dates.” Stated a somewhat bombastic Dieter.
“A violent storm of anti-Semitism broke out throughout Germany. The well-coordinated attacks struck fear throughout the land. It seemed as if this horrible plot to destroy all Jewish businesses, places of worship and schools might succeed after all.” Dieter continued without a single interruption from Cameron.
“As you know Cameron, they used the murder of a German consular official in Paris, Ernst von Rath was his name, and by a strange coincidence he was an avid anti-Nazi. The perpetrator was a deranged Jewish refugee, and his action was the excuse, justification and catalyst for the beginning of “The Night of the Crystal, AKA Krystalnacht.” Stated Dieter with passion and conviction in his voice.
“In retrospect Herschel Grynzpan, the Jewish assassin, could not have picked a worse time to commit this murder. Some historians have even hinted at the possibility of a German Nazi conspiracy in this hideous and bizarre plot.” Dieter took a sip of his brandy and a puff of his cigar and continued without interruption.
“The unabated and violent action continued for more than two days. Just about every Jew in Germany was either directly or indirectly affected by this action.” Stated Dieter.
“Do you know why it was called Krystalnacht (Night of the Crystal) Cameron?” Asked Dieter as he looked at Cameron.
“No! I don’t, but I am sure you will tell me.” Replied
