דער קערפער פֿון השם"Three thousand miles from his #NewYorkCity home, as the August dawn broke over the #Austrian landscape, 24-year-old #Army #draftee Stephen Wechsler took off his shoes, waded into the #DanubeRiver, and began to swim. He struggled at first, then realized the current was carrying him toward his destination: the #Soviet zone of occupied #Austria.
Wechsler’s act of betrayal took place in 1952. The #USArmy had discovered that the young #Jewish private first class had lied on his induction papers, denying that he had ever belonged to the #CommunistParty or any affiliated organizations. In truth, he had belonged to several #Communist groups, starting at age 14.
When a letter arrived ordering him to appear before a military judge in #Nuremberg, it didn’t specify the charge. It didn’t need to. Wechsler understood immediately. And in his mind, there was only one path left: flee the #American zone and seek refuge behind the #IronCurtain."
sharkspez
Kara Finance