When the Red Army Stayed

On Soviet Soldiers in East Germany

Red Army Troops celebrating their victory in Berlin, May 1945. The caption on the poster on the right reads “1945 year. What you sow, you’ll reap! From the court you will not leave!”. Hitler is depicted with a noose around his neck. Img: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-E0406-0022-018 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

Countries by and large don’t like being occupied. The idea that foreign soldiers are stationed on one’s own soil for control and regulation stands in direct contrast to national sovereignty and independence. Yet Germany’s case is unique.

At the end of the Second World War, Germany was a vanquished country that had lost the political, economic, social and moral capacity to govern itself. The victorious Allies took on a curious hybrid role as occupiers and re-builders — with far-reaching ramifications that continue to have a huge impact today.

The story of the Red Army in the GDR is particularly complex and full of contradictions. It’s also a story that my own family has experienced.