Renowned German engineer and aerodynamicist Werner Albring wrote about his impression of post-war Moscow in his memories issued after reunification of Germany.
"...I looked carefully at my surroundings, especially at people in the subway, people in the streets, at restaurant. They looked like a typical inhabitants of the big city. Workers, employees, intelligentsia.
There were many cars on all spacious major streets. I thought that if someone from Western Europe was transported here blindfolded and asked in what city he is, he probably would named various cities in Western Europe.
You could buy many goods in this city. In the big department store you could see everything forgotten during wartime, from toothpaste to footwear, children toys and woven fabric."
"...I looked carefully at my surroundings, especially at people in the subway, people in the streets, at restaurant. They looked like a typical inhabitants of the big city. Workers, employees, intelligentsia.
There were many cars on all spacious major streets. I thought that if someone from Western Europe was transported here blindfolded and asked in what city he is, he probably would named various cities in Western Europe.
You could buy many goods in this city. In the big department store you could see everything forgotten during wartime, from toothpaste to footwear, children toys and woven fabric."
