Axel Durchdenwald

Axel, an imaginative eight-year-old with tousled blond hair and bright blue eyes, lives in Berlin with his adventurous twin brother, Rainer. They often visit their father, Gerhard Durchdenwald, an assistant to Himmler, whose uniform reflects both authority and weariness. In his office, the stern atmosphere transforms as Gerhard shares laughter and playful moments with his sons, creating a warm sanctuary amid the seriousness of his work. At night, the boys sometimes stay over, dreaming of adventures while the city sleeps. Within those walls, they experience tenderness and care, a comforting contrast to the tension of the outside world. (Date: 12/5/1943)