Seventy years ago, in the middle of January, 1945, one could already hear the cannon fire in the distance; Schlobitten, once known as the “Versailles of the East,” was sitting in the middle of an ever stronger current of refugees from the North- and East-of the Province. Strangers, acquaintances, and relatives– one supported them through advice and deed.
Seventy years ago, these were the last two days at his home. For Alexander, Graf zu Dohna, these two days were particularly complicated and dangerous. Because of the threats of the Party, he could accept no telephone calls, and had to hide from strangers. He personally pleaded with the castle personnel, as well as all women and children from their neighborhood to leave immediately by train. All did this without contradiction.
Seventy years ago, Alexander sent, with the last post, a package with small but valuable remembrances of Schlobitten to his wife and children: a piece of amber, an old ring, a signet. This package, like almost everything else, went missing. He managed, however, to send a telegram to his wife: “Have left everything. Trekking westward with all personnel.”
Seventy years ago, on the 20th of January, around ten in the evening, he left from Schlobitten with the trusted French coachman (and prisoner of war) Jean Lebastard, and took the hunting cart with rubber tires and two fast horses to a Vorwerk of Schlobitten where he met with Herr Braun to discuss the final Trek route.
Seventy years ago, on January 21, at 14.00, the Trek Verbot was lifted, and travel westward could begin.