Tale of Albert Reich, a displaced resident hailing from Eger
After World War II, a significant number of Sudeten Germans, including Albert Reich and his family, were expelled from their homeland in Czechoslovakia and resettled in Stuttgart, Germany. This displacement was a result of postwar population transfers that drastically reshaped Central Europe, as Sudeten Germans were seen as having collaborated or sympathized with the Nazi regime during the war [3][5].
Albert's childhood in Czechoslovakia was marked by both good and horrifying memories. At the age of 13, he was trapped in a prisoner's cellar and thought he was going to die. Later, at 17, he was present at the proclamation of the Charter of the Displaced Persons in Stuttgart.
The Reich family's journey to Stuttgart was not easy. They were brought to the Russian-occupied zone in cattle cars, and their arrival was met with initial unwelcoming attitudes from the locals. Despite the hardships, Albert found solace in preserving his Egerland culture. He co-founded an Egerland dance group and led the "House of the Homeland" for many years, earning him the Federal Cross of Merit for his services to Egerland culture.
Ninety percent of the displaced persons were women and children, and many faced similar hardships. Albert's daughter, Regina Thalheimer, finds it terrible to hear about her father's experiences of death fears and execution squads during the expulsion. His stories are difficult for her to hear, and she listens with tears in her eyes.
In their new home, the Reich family, along with many other Sudeten Germans, sought to rebuild their lives. They formed refugee organizations and cultural associations to preserve their language, traditions, and heritage. Albert's grandson, Norman Thalheimer, continues this tradition, regularly wearing his traditional costume to festivals.
The resilience of Sudeten Germans in the face of displacement, loss, and cultural suppression is a testament to their strong sense of identity and community. Despite the challenges they faced, they were able to maintain their cultural roots and integrate into their new homes over time.
In Stuttgart, the city that became their new home, the Sudeten Germans faced initial hostility, but they were able to rebuild their lives and preserve their culture. Their story serves as a reminder of the power of cultural resilience in the face of adversity.
References:
[3] "The Sudeten German Expulsion and Its Aftermath." The History Place. https://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/europe/sudeten.htm
[5] "The Sudeten German Expulsion." The National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/sudeten-german-expulsion
- The Reich family's adaptation to their new home in Stuttgart, Germany, after World War II, was not a smooth journey as they initially faced hostility from the locals.
- Albert Reich, a displaced Sudeten German, found solace in preserving his Egerland culture in their new home, which led to the co-founding of an Egerland dance group and his leadership of the "House of the Homeland."
- The story of Sudeten Germans, like the Reich family, serves as a testament to their strong sense of identity and community, as they faced challenges such as displacement, loss, and cultural suppression.
- In the aftermath of World War II, Sudeten Germans, including Albert Reich and his family, were expelled from their homeland in Czechoslovakia and resettled in Stuttgart due to their perceived collaboration or sympathies with the Nazi regime.
- Regina Thalheimer, Albert Reich's daughter, finds it difficult to hear about her father's experiences of death fears and execution squads during the expulsion, with her eyes often filled with tears when she listens to his stories.
