Life on the Border in Fehle

Redaktioneller Artikel
As the new course of the border emerged after the plebiscite in 1920, there were many complaints from residents who lived directly on the border, and thus also from residents in Fehle. The plan had the border to run south of the farms here - but the residents wanted to remain German. Their wish was granted, much to the pleasure of Fehle’s inhabitants. When war broke out in 1939, however, a problem arose: the border was closed until 1947, which meant that the village's old inn lost many of its Danish guests and had to close. From now on, people met at the closed border barrier, to talk to friends and relatives, who dwelled in Denmark.
The closure of the border also had a big impact on the residents, as they regularly had purchased food items at the local Danish grocery shop. The shop was located straight on the opposite side of the border, but now out of reach of the old customers.
This situation did not really change to the better when the border was reopened, because it was not allowed to import or export any goods. Still, once in a while people would smuggle contraband home in pockets and under their jackets. The “fraud” was easily seen through by custom officers, who couldn’t help but notice the well filled pockets. Mostly the officers would let them get away, not without making a remark like: "Here comes the sales truck!"