About the site

Curriculum vitae

The Book

Books archive

First Drafts

Lola's diary

Free-writing

Links

contact Jeremy
contact Ellen

I'm having trouble grokking the idea that the girls Weissman uses to keep Pökler on board are inmates from Dora -- I'm trying to picture the transaction in my head -- presumably Weissman would go to one of the higher-ups at the camp's administration, say he needed a girl and describe what she was to do; then maybe the administrator would have a guard select a dependable inmate, and she would return with Weissman to Peenemunde.

My problem with this is, I know some inmates were given favors and privileges in exchange for cooperating with or working for the camp staff; but I couldn't imagine these jobs (or the exchanged privileges) would involve leaving the camp -- it seems like the impetus to try to escape would be overwhelming. (Especially at Zwölfkinder, so close to the sea and passage to Denmark.) And then assume They found one girl whom They could trust to behave; but a *different* girl every year?