More soldiers shouted in the next street over. Bullhorns caused their voices to overlap and echo along the narrow avenues and stone houses, making their terse instructions hard to understand.“Achtung, citizens!” they barked. “Come out of your houses! It is verboten to remain in your rooms! You must attend the rally in the town square at precisely eight o’clock.”At seven-fifty, Christine and her family held each other’s hands and followed their fellow villagers into the town square, everyone looking around, wondering what they were about to see. When they arrived, shouting soldiers herded the throng of old people, women, and children into place behind the metal barriers until the entire populace stood shoulder to shoulder, filling every available space. Maria hooked arms with Oma and Opa, and Mutti picked up Karl, holding him on one hip. Christine lifted Heinrich onto her back, her arms hooked beneath his knees, piggyback style. They struggled to stay together, shoved and jostled by hundreds of confused people who couldn’t hear each other calling out to one another above the pounding of jackboots, drums, and military parade music.
