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we came to a control point outside Helmstedt. In the
American Red Cross road canteen nearby, to which
we were invited, we stepped right into America.
”Folks back home”, said a sign, had presented the
coffee, cakes and cigarettes which were distributed
free of charge to visiting soldiers, and now to the
members of our Swedish Red Cross group. Here
reigned typical American informal and generous
hospitality. Here was chewing gum and phonograph
music, and pin-up girls on the walls. Here was a
sample of the spirited patriotic enthusiasm which
was stirred up in America by the catastrophe of
Pearl Harbor. Some of the American soldiers said
that they liked Helmstedt very much; it was much
better there than in Berlin. For those who had seen
the town which once had been the center of the
German nation, it was not difficult to understand
what they meant.
The American, British, and finally the Russian
control points were passed without difficulty. We
drove on down the autostrada into the dark
Brandenburg landscape and into the Russian Zone, where
guards of distinctly Mongolian appearance, stationed
at fixed intervals, saluted us as we passed.
My purpose in going to Berlin was not only to
inspect the Swedish canteens for children, but also to
contact Allied representatives to inquire about how
we might comply with their wishes that Swedish
activities be extended from the British Sector to
include the other three as well. It was also my
intention to try to get permission to distribute medicines
in the Russian Zone. Important quantities of medicine
had been bought with Swedish government funds,
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