On February 16, 1929, Anja Kraus was born to parents Ernst and Emma Kraus in southern Berlin. Her family was neither particularly rich or poor, but they survived pleasantly. As the Nazi Party rose to power and eventually started to threaten the world around them, the family did nothing out of fear. Ernst managed to avoid conscription into the Wehrmacht, but in 1943, he could no longer and was sent out to the Western Theatre, where he was killed by advancing Allied forces in late 1944. Anja and her mother managed to survive the war and bombings of Berlin, but once the war ended, both were asked to join the Trümmerfrauen. While both were not exactly eager to join, the Trümmerfrauen got the one of the highest-valued ration cards, and as there was no one at home anymore who could provide work, the two decided to join up with them.
Anja specifically worked in organizing the materials gathered by other Trümmerfrauen, separating piles of bricks and other building materials. It was rough work, but she was glad she didn't have to actually get the materials, which was her mother's duty. She worked to help rebuild the Southern parts of Germany for about nine years. During that time, the restrictions on women labor workers were lifted throughout Germany, allowing her to continue her work in the streets and even getting her more rights as a worker once she finally finished around age 25.
When she had finished, Anja was glad for the break, and while she never truly enjoyed her hard work in the rubble, and she was a little resentful that she lost the first half of her 20s for rebuilding, she still had a small sense of pride in knowing that what she did was for a great cause and that thanks to her and her fellow Trümmerfrauen, she would be able to secure a better job.
Very nicely written! Your attention to detail and the small but profound insights, such as how Anja felt having sacrificed part of her youth to the rebuilding, make this a very rich and excellent text. Great job.
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