The book on which this series is based is considered fine literature. Here is the parallel symbolism I see.
In "War and Peace" by Tolstoy, Prince Bolkonsky dies in the arms of his beloved Natasha. The Bolkonsky great house is burned by the invaders. This symbolizes the end of the "Catherine the Great" era in Russia. In like manner, Ensign Hans Wratislaw Von Zehdenitz dies in the arms of the beloved goatherd, Barbel. The Von Zehdenitz family is gone and the castle is destroyed. This symbolizes the end of the "Frederick the Great" militarism in Germany.
Also in "War and Peace," in the ruins of Moscow, Natasha's family is trying to salvage some part of their home and start anew when Count Bezukhov appears in the rubble. The union of the two symbolizes the new direction and renewal of Russia after the war.
After Babiena is cut after grabbing, in the dark of night, the goatherd at Hans' grave, she stays to think and decides that Hans is no longer her paramour, there is another person who cares about him, and she will let Hans' remains stay with that person. She begins to show modest affection for Koslowski. Peter Koslowski grew up on an estate, which he expected to inherit. However the GDR did not allow him to have it. After the war, Koslowski left the hospital with a prosthetic leg, penniless. Koslowski represents the residual of the ruin of war. The union of Babiena and Koslowski symbolizes the rebuilding of German society after the war.
The title of the series, translated, is "On the Green Banks of the River Spree" (There are some lovely and historic parks along the River Spree in Berlin). Lepsius sings out the song of that name (it is a sentimental19th century folk song about Berlin) in answer to the question of where they will meet again, if ever. They all join in. With the music playing "Till the End of Time" in the background, it indicates that their comradeship will continue no matter what.
The title of the series, translated, is "On the Green Banks of the River Spree" (There are some lovely and historic parks along the River Spree in Berlin). Lepsius sings out the song of that name (it is a sentimental19th century folk song about Berlin) in answer to the question of where they will meet again, if ever. They all join in. With the music playing "Till the End of Time" in the background, it indicates that their comradeship will continue no matter what.