RISK REVERSE

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Near the end of the world war, in 1944, my father enlisted into the German Air Force. He had no taste at all for politics or war, yet it was that distaste that guided his reasoning. At the time, the SS (Schutzstafel or Shield Squadron, Hitler’s personal guards) were conscripting tall, robust, imposing boys. Aryan types, like my 6’4” father. To avoid any possible association with this abysmal group my then teenaged dad took control of his future as best he could, sidestepping fate and chancing on a lesser evil.

Fast forward to Berlin, 1945: Germany’s last stand. Scarcity of aviation gas had demoted my father from the Luftwaffe to the paratroops then ultimately to the infantry. He, his comrades, and the city itself were surrounded by the advancing Russian forces. There was nothing left to win. The fight continued only to hold Stalin’s troops in the hope that the more merciful Americans would arrive. Surrender to the Russians was considered suicidal.

It became clear that a Russian assault was imminent. Typical from an offensive force prior to an attack, shelling ceased. To avoid revealing their positions the Russians suspended all fire. From a veteran soldier, my dad had been enlightened: should he want to live, this time would be his best chance. Volunteering for perilous perimeter duty now would likely result in discreet capture rather than a reception of sniper fire.

When the call for volunteers came, my father — in what he describes as the hardest thing he has ever done — raised his hand. Predictably, he was taken prisoner. And after Germany’s wholesale surrender, he was shipped to Siberia, to return home only when he became too sick and weak not just to work but to even feed himself. But he lived. To date, he is unaware of any other member of his squad who survived the slaughter that was the fall of Berlin.

Remembering this story always makes me question what is real versus perceived risk.

When forces are in opposition to your interests, beware the conventional. When friends, colleagues, or clients take about the ‘safe’ way, they are speaking of the familiar. Yet safe and familiar, anywhere where it really matters, are opposites. To truly guard your interests, much less be successful, it is necessary to comprehend the real terrain and vigilantly remain open to original, and especially unconventional, courses of action. Blindly following has been known to be lethal.