3 - The “August experiences”

Summary

If war had not come, it is likely that the “enthusiasm” of the last week of July would have been remembered differently. Perhaps one would have remembered it like that provincial journalist who warned that “one should not exaggerate all this too much.” It was, after all, Saturday night in Berlin. But war did come, and the memories of July were overlaid with the memories of what contemporaries called the “August experiences.” It was an unusual time. Klaus Mann remembered the “August experiences” in his memoirs as an “atmosphere,” a collage of powerful emotions and sensations:

When I attempt to recapture the atmosphere of 1914 I see flying flags, grey helmets bejeweled with wonderful flowers, women knitting, loud posters, and once again flags - an ocean, a cataract in black, white and red [the colors of Prussia/Germany]. The air is filled with noise and the refrains of patriotic songs: “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,” and “Es braust ein Ruf wie Donnerhall …” The noise never stops. Every second day a new victory is celebrated … The final victory seems certain: the boys will be home at Christmas.

It is impossible to recreate this atmosphere in all its richness.