Joe, the SED might not been associated with the Nazis (although they twhitewashed those that were useful to them), but they were associates of Stalin. Not that much better in my book.

The union of Social Democrats (SPD) and Communists (KPD) to SED was not a voluntary one, the Social Democrats were forced too unite with the KPD by the Russians.

The first out-of-area campaign by German Soldiers after the war was the East German army suppressing the uprising of the people in Prague.

And I think you have seen the Wall by yourself.

Best
Ernest