Wreckage from the conflict, leveled in 1976.

The Haus Vaterland, a popular entertainment establishment in the German Reich during World War II, once stood proudly at Potsdamer Platz. Its history, however, was marked by significant events that led to its destruction and subsequent disappearance.

Originally, the Haus Vaterland began entertaining wounded soldiers within its walls from 1940 onwards. Despite the war and rationing, sales and profits remained stable. The cafe, known as Cafe Vaterland, continued its operation until early May 1947, when the Soviets seized all Aschinger businesses located in the Soviet sector, effectively ending the operation of the Cafe Vaterland.

In the following years, the Haus Vaterland was affected by bombings, with the first bomb hitting the building on November 22, 1943. The final destruction of the Haus Vaterland occurred during the "Battle of Berlin" in 1945. Following the June 1953 uprising in the GDR and East Berlin, the ruins were destroyed by arson.

The ruins of the Haus Vaterland were located on the border of the American and Soviet sectors of East Berlin. Despite its strategic location, which made it a hub for the "black market trade", no attempt was made to rebuild the burned-out ruins on the Potsdamer Platz. Instead, they were ceded to West Berlin in 1971 as part of a land swap.

The West Berlin Senate had no use for the ruins, leading to their complete demolition in 1976. It was not until the 1990s that a new office and business building was constructed on the former Haus Vaterland site.

Interestingly, the ruins of the Haus Vaterland were also the venue for a "Wehrmachtskabarett", a form of military entertainment. These performances took place from 23:30 and continued into the early hours of the following day. The artists performing in the "Wehrmachtskabarett" were not part of the Haus Vaterland's artistic staff but were specifically conscripted for this purpose.

Despite the historical significance of the Haus Vaterland, there is no memorial to the former establishment. However, a DDR-era monument to Karl Liebknecht remains in its original location. There is no available information identifying Richard Fleischer as the director of Haus Vaterland during World War II in the provided sources.

In conclusion, the Haus Vaterland played a significant role in the entertainment and morale of the German Reich during World War II. However, its history was marked by destruction, demolition, and the lack of a memorial. Its legacy continues to be a fascinating subject for historical research and discussion.