Matrosen in Berlin

Directed by Günter Jordan

The documentary tells the story of the Volksmarinedivision, which was formed by revolting sailors stationed in Berlin during the November Revolution. Starting with the November Revolution itself and the founding of the Volksmarinedivision, the main focus is on the political developments surrounding it and its involvement in the battles for the Berlin City Palace at Christmas 1918 and the unrest in January and March 1919, during which the Volksmarinedivision was smashed by the Freikorps and its members persecuted. Due to its proximity to the Spartacus League and the KPD, which had just been founded at the time, the Volksmarinedivision was an important point of reference for GDR historical politics and the patron saint of the GDR's Volksmarine.