The record of the Battle of Berlin was irrevocably altered by a diary kept between 20 April and 22 June 1945, which documented the experiences of a woman navigating the occupation. Published anonymously as "Eine Frau in Berlin," the work provided an account of survival, systemic violence, and the desperate strategies women employed to endure the arrival of Soviet forces.
Early Education and Career
Born in Krefeld, Germany, on 26 May 1911, Marta Hillers pursued academic interests at the Sorbonne in Paris. Her early life included extensive travel across Europe, including the Soviet Union, which facilitated her acquisition of French and Russian. Settling in Berlin, she worked as a journalist, contributing to various newspapers and magazines. While she performed minor tasks for the Nazi government, evidence suggests she was not a member of the Nazi Party.
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During the final months of the war, Hillers remained in Berlin. Her diary entries capture the grim realities of life for civilians in a captured city, noting the scarcity of resources and the constant threat of violence. She documented the widespread rape of women by Red Army soldiers, describing her decision to secure a protector among high-ranking officers in exchange for food. She ceased writing her account in late June 1945, coinciding with the return of her fiancé, Gerd, from the front.
Publication and Public Reception
With the support of Kurt Marek, an English translation of her notes appeared in the United States in 1954, followed by a United Kingdom release in 1955. When the German edition was published in 1959 by Kossodo, it encountered intense hostility. Critics accused the anonymous author of damaging the reputation of German women and spreading anti-communist propaganda. Disheartened by the negative reaction, Hillers blocked further editions during her lifetime. She moved to Basel, Switzerland, following her marriage in the 1950s, eventually passing away there on 16 June 2001.
Posthumous Recognition
The memoir achieved widespread recognition after the 2003 German reissue by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, which arrived on bestseller lists shortly after her death. Although literary editor Jens Bisky identified her as the likely author, Hannelore Marek, who controlled the copyright, did not formally confirm the attribution. Since 2005, the work has appeared in numerous languages, including new English translations, and was adapted for film in 2008.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 May 1911, Krefeld
- Died: 16 June 2001, Basel
- Primary Occupation: Journalist
- Known Work: A Woman in Berlin (Eine Frau in Berlin)
- Languages: German, French, Russian
- Citizenship: German
Questions readers ask
Why was the book initially received so poorly in Germany?
Critics in 1959 argued that the memoir insulted the honor of German women and claimed it served as anti-communist propaganda, refusing to confront the realities of mass rape.
Was Marta Hillers a member of the Nazi Party?
While she performed minor work for the Nazi regime during her career as a journalist, she is not believed to have been a member of the party.
