The Third Reich did not start the year I was born. Many big events happened almost a decade before I was born. Many I learned and researched on my own about. But some, my parents had told me about and some I learned as I was growing up. And some, my grandchildren share with me as they learn about it in school.
1921- On July 29th, Hitler became leader of the National Socialist Party. My mother, Erna, told me that she was still in bridal school when this happened. She said this attracted many people's attention.
1925-July 18th, This was the year that "Mein Kamf" was published. Seeing as Hitler was becoming more popular, my mama (who had just recently married my father, Friedrich) quickly ran out to get a copy. Much like Hitler, the book was very popular.
1926- February 9th, My older brother Heinz was born.
1930- August 1st, I was born, and my journey began.
September 14th, The National Socialist Party became the second largest political party in Germany. This was also the day my brother Heinz got to hold me for the first time. Luckily my Papa, who worked at a local market (which carried everything from sweets to sewing machines) had just ordered new cameras and was able to take a picture.
1933- January 30th, Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany. There were parades all over Germany.
February 27th, The German Reichstag Burned. While I was only two, I have brief memory of my Papa listening to the radio and something over a fire. It was not until I was a teenager and it was brought up, that I thought about asking about it. Papa explained that the Reichstag building was the heart of German politics and that the fire had been caused by the Socialists and Communists. While for decades, many accepted that those two groups were responsible, it was not until more recently than past, that the idea was held that possibly the Nazi's had been responsible.
March 23rd, The Enabling Act gave the Chancellor dictatorial power.
April 1st, There was a boycott of Jewish owned shops. This heavily affected my family. Papa's shop was near many others that were owned by people who were Jewish. Papa knew many of them and would often trade with them depending on the demands of his customers. Papa said that one Jewish couple was a good friend of ours and would often visit our house. During this boycott, Papa's shop had been spared but it seemed as though the whole street had been shattered. Papa, despite warnings from Mama, went to help them clean their shops.
May 10th, The Nazi Book Burnings happened. While not as popular in Dresden as it was in Berlin, Mama and Papa say that the burnings still caused a big commotion. It was not until years later that I had discovered that our household had kept Relativity: The Special and the General Theory. Written by Albert Einstein.
July 14th, The National Socialist Party was declared Germany's only political party.
Although I cannot remember what day it was, this was the year Heinz started school.
1934- August 1st, I turned four.
August 2nd, President Hindenburg died. The whole country, it seemed, was sad. Although we could not say that we did not see it coming. He had been ill for some time. I did not fully understand what was going on at the time but I knew that something had happened to this figure that was mentioned a lot. I connected the dots from my memories to when I was old enough to understand.
August 19th, Hitler became Fuhrer. (While still being Chancellor.) There was some celebration, I guess it was believed that he would save Germany from this Depression.
1935- March 16th, While this day did not affect me for quite sometime, I remember there being a burst of different emotions. Hitler had introduced military conscription on this day, violating the Treaty of Versailles. Some were worried about what this might bring for the future but the overall feeling was happiness and hope among the people of Germany.
September 15th, The Nuremberg Race Laws were established. Worried about being reported, Papa no longer spoke to his former store neighbors.
1936- February 9th, Heinz turned ten. He then eagerly joined the Hitler Youth (He joined the Deutsches Jungvolk), for the Hitler Youth was beginning to gained popularity. I remember him showing me his new uniform, I was eager to get one.
February 10th, The German Gestapo was placed above the law. This broke Mama and Papa into cold sweats. This made everyone a little uneasy, for they had to be extra loyal to Germany.
February 12th, Heinz told me that in Hitler Youth they played many games and prepared to be the future of Germany. One of the games that they played was called Trapper and Indian.
August 1st, I turned six! I had also started school around that same time. We celebrated by having sweetened bread ( a luxury at the time) and watching the Olympic games on the television. Hitler had made an appearance to the games to support our country. I remember being excited every time he appeared on the screen, perhaps I wanted to be like my parents who always spoke about this man.
1937- February 12th, Not too long after Heinz turned eleven, my family received a letter from Opa Emil and Oma Irma. They talked about the war in the letter and congratulated Heinz for joining the Hitler Youth. (Although they were a year late.) Mama read us the letter but skipped many of the war parts. She said that there are some things that children should not hear.
1938- March 8th, This was the day I became a big sister. My sister Henriette was born. She had brown eyes instead of blue like Heinz and I. I was not sure where she got them from, since Mama and Papa did not have them either. Mama said that hopefully her eyes would change color as she grows so that she can look just like us. That was all I heard before Heinz and I were asked to leave the room so that our Mama could rest. As we were leaving, I heard Heinz say that Mama only wanted Henny's eyes to change color so we did not arouse suspicion.
March 12th/13th, In class, Mrs. Fischer told us that Germany had announced it's Anschluss (union) with Austria.
October 15th, I remember this day because it was the day that I got to mark the map at the front of the classroom. The German troops had occupied Sudetenland. Since Mrs. Fischer did not know the exact place, I got to mark the whole north east border of Sudetenland! Mrs. Fischer also told us that the Czechoslovakian government had resigned.
October 28th, We had a missing student,she had been gone for a few days, I never fully got to know her and I could never remember her name after such a long time. But when my friend Anna asked where the student went, Mrs. Fischer explained that by today, all of the Polish Jews were being deported. Anna asked why they would do that. The entire class thought that that was a shocking question. We had all been raised to dislike Jews, but nobody our age ever asked why. Nevertheless, Mrs. Fischer answered. "I do not know and I would not be able to fully tell you even if I did know. But what I can tell you is that it is not right. It is not right at all." Mrs. Fischer continued with her lesson afterwards.
October 31st, Mrs. Fischer was not at school. Nobody explained anything, but we got a new teacher named Mrs. Hofmann. I did not like her. She was stricter than Mrs. Fischer.
November 9th/10th, Kristallnacht happened. I was not able to sleep that night. Even though my family lives on the second floor of an apartment andn Papa's shop is ten miles away, you could still hear the shouts coming from that area. "What a shame." Was all Papa said. I had always thought that was odd, since all the other adults on the street seemed to have loved the idea.
1939- January 30th, The family sat around the radio and listened to the Fuhrer's Reichstag speech.
February 9th, Heinz turned thirteen today! He was able to move up from his original group from the Hitler Youth. He transferred to the Hitler Jugend.
March 8th, Henny turned one!
March 15th/16th, Germany conquered Czechoslovakia. Today was Anna's turn to mark the map. Mrs. Hofmann hit Anna's knuckles and yelled at her because she marked Hungary instead of Czechoslovakia.
May 22nd, It was all over the radio. Germany signed the Pact of Steel with Italy.
August 23rd, Germany also signed a pact with the Soviet Union! Mama said that Germany may actually win. Win what, I do not know.
September 1st, Today was a strange day, my new grade teacher, Mrs. Muller, marked the map herself today. Germany invaded Poland and she marked it herself. Today was Dieter's day to mark the map but Mrs. Muller said that he'd just have to wait until tomorrow. Dieter started to cry.
September 3rd, Father told me that Great Britain, France, Australia, AND New Zealand have all declared war on Germany. I asked him what that means for the future. He said we just need to believe in our motherland.
September 4th, Today our Navy got attacked by Britain's Royal Air Force! Mrs. Muller was hysterical when she told us. She had to leave the room for a moment. Rumor had it that she had a loved one in Germany's Navy.
September 10th, Anna came to my house today. We picked up my dad's newspaper while he went outside to talks to one of our neighbors. The headline was that Canada declared war on Germany.
September 29th, Anna told me that the Nazis and the Soviets divided up Poland. Then we gossiped. I told her that Hans liked her. She was completely surprised. I have a feeling that Anna and I are starting to become best friends.
October, I saw the soldiers removing people from our apartment area. I asked Papa what was going on. He said that the soldiers were taking away the "sick" people who's bodies were not able to function as well. I asked about his leg. He asked what about it. I said that it causes him to walk funny. He said "Shh, do not talk about that. It's time for bed."
November 8th, Someone tried to assassinate Hitler! Anna told me but said that that's as far as she knows. She said her mother scolded her for eavesdropping.
December 25th, We found a puppy under the Christmas tree! What a great surprise! We named him Otto! Otto was the most excited to see Henny. Henny couldn't stop laughing when Otto was licking her face.
1940-March 8th, Henny turned two! But she was feeling sick. Mama said she probably had a cold. We all wished for her to get well.
April 9th, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Today was my turn to mark the board. Anna said I was lucky because I got to mark two countries.
May 10th, Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands today. But I did not learn that from Mrs. Muller. I heard it on the radio when the family was sitting down, listening to it.
May 15th, Heinz told me that Holland surrendered to Germany today.
May 28th, Mama told me that Belgium surrendered to Germany today. I'm not sure why Mrs. Muller has not been telling us everything.
June 3rd, Mrs. Muller was asked to leave the room at the beginning of class. Two adults were talking to her. I could hear them but their voices sounded muffled. When she came back inside, she started talking about the war right away. She told us that Germany bombed Paris today. Dieter got to mark the map today.
June 10th, Norway surrendered to the Nazis today. Hans got to mark Norway. Anna will not admit it, but she was staring.
June 22nd, Today, in Papa's newspaper, it said that France signed an armistice with Germany.
July 1st, While eating supper, Heinz could not stop talking about everything that he learned in school and at Hitler Youth. He told me that Germany built these U-boats and are attacking ships in the Atlantic ocean as we speak! Mama shushed him and told him that supper is no place for war talk.
August 1st, Today was a very exciting day! I turned ten and could join the Hitler Youth. Mama was awful busy today and could not take me. She said it would have to wait until tomorrow. But she was required to sign me up. I am to join the Jungmadels!
August 15th, The Hitler Youth is different than I had imagined! They taught us more about the Aryan Race. We even learned the song "Hitler is Our Saviour!" Heinz told me that us girls have it easy but I do not think that that is true because we have to run and exercise alot.
August 25th/26th, Britain raided Berlin! It was the first British air raid on Berlin! I do not know anyone who lives in Berlin but I feel awful.
September 15th, Heinz took father's newspaper and told me that Germany air raided London, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester. Father has warned him about taking his newspaper. But when I brought this up all Heinz said was "What will he do? Report me to the Gestapo?" I did not find that funny.
September 28th, I did not hear the news until today. Germany, Italy, and Japan all signed the Tripartite (Axis) pact.
October 7th, German troops have entered Romania. I got to mark Romania's border today.
November 23rd, Three days before, Hungary joined the Axis powers. Today, Romania joined the Axis powers! I noticed that mother's belly was rounder.
December 29th/30th, There was a German air raid on London.
1921- On July 29th, Hitler became leader of the National Socialist Party. My mother, Erna, told me that she was still in bridal school when this happened. She said this attracted many people's attention.
1925-July 18th, This was the year that "Mein Kamf" was published. Seeing as Hitler was becoming more popular, my mama (who had just recently married my father, Friedrich) quickly ran out to get a copy. Much like Hitler, the book was very popular.
1926- February 9th, My older brother Heinz was born.
1930- August 1st, I was born, and my journey began.
September 14th, The National Socialist Party became the second largest political party in Germany. This was also the day my brother Heinz got to hold me for the first time. Luckily my Papa, who worked at a local market (which carried everything from sweets to sewing machines) had just ordered new cameras and was able to take a picture.
1933- January 30th, Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany. There were parades all over Germany.
February 27th, The German Reichstag Burned. While I was only two, I have brief memory of my Papa listening to the radio and something over a fire. It was not until I was a teenager and it was brought up, that I thought about asking about it. Papa explained that the Reichstag building was the heart of German politics and that the fire had been caused by the Socialists and Communists. While for decades, many accepted that those two groups were responsible, it was not until more recently than past, that the idea was held that possibly the Nazi's had been responsible.
March 23rd, The Enabling Act gave the Chancellor dictatorial power.
April 1st, There was a boycott of Jewish owned shops. This heavily affected my family. Papa's shop was near many others that were owned by people who were Jewish. Papa knew many of them and would often trade with them depending on the demands of his customers. Papa said that one Jewish couple was a good friend of ours and would often visit our house. During this boycott, Papa's shop had been spared but it seemed as though the whole street had been shattered. Papa, despite warnings from Mama, went to help them clean their shops.
May 10th, The Nazi Book Burnings happened. While not as popular in Dresden as it was in Berlin, Mama and Papa say that the burnings still caused a big commotion. It was not until years later that I had discovered that our household had kept Relativity: The Special and the General Theory. Written by Albert Einstein.
July 14th, The National Socialist Party was declared Germany's only political party.
Although I cannot remember what day it was, this was the year Heinz started school.
1934- August 1st, I turned four.
August 2nd, President Hindenburg died. The whole country, it seemed, was sad. Although we could not say that we did not see it coming. He had been ill for some time. I did not fully understand what was going on at the time but I knew that something had happened to this figure that was mentioned a lot. I connected the dots from my memories to when I was old enough to understand.
August 19th, Hitler became Fuhrer. (While still being Chancellor.) There was some celebration, I guess it was believed that he would save Germany from this Depression.
1935- March 16th, While this day did not affect me for quite sometime, I remember there being a burst of different emotions. Hitler had introduced military conscription on this day, violating the Treaty of Versailles. Some were worried about what this might bring for the future but the overall feeling was happiness and hope among the people of Germany.
September 15th, The Nuremberg Race Laws were established. Worried about being reported, Papa no longer spoke to his former store neighbors.
1936- February 9th, Heinz turned ten. He then eagerly joined the Hitler Youth (He joined the Deutsches Jungvolk), for the Hitler Youth was beginning to gained popularity. I remember him showing me his new uniform, I was eager to get one.
February 10th, The German Gestapo was placed above the law. This broke Mama and Papa into cold sweats. This made everyone a little uneasy, for they had to be extra loyal to Germany.
February 12th, Heinz told me that in Hitler Youth they played many games and prepared to be the future of Germany. One of the games that they played was called Trapper and Indian.
August 1st, I turned six! I had also started school around that same time. We celebrated by having sweetened bread ( a luxury at the time) and watching the Olympic games on the television. Hitler had made an appearance to the games to support our country. I remember being excited every time he appeared on the screen, perhaps I wanted to be like my parents who always spoke about this man.
1937- February 12th, Not too long after Heinz turned eleven, my family received a letter from Opa Emil and Oma Irma. They talked about the war in the letter and congratulated Heinz for joining the Hitler Youth. (Although they were a year late.) Mama read us the letter but skipped many of the war parts. She said that there are some things that children should not hear.
1938- March 8th, This was the day I became a big sister. My sister Henriette was born. She had brown eyes instead of blue like Heinz and I. I was not sure where she got them from, since Mama and Papa did not have them either. Mama said that hopefully her eyes would change color as she grows so that she can look just like us. That was all I heard before Heinz and I were asked to leave the room so that our Mama could rest. As we were leaving, I heard Heinz say that Mama only wanted Henny's eyes to change color so we did not arouse suspicion.
March 12th/13th, In class, Mrs. Fischer told us that Germany had announced it's Anschluss (union) with Austria.
October 15th, I remember this day because it was the day that I got to mark the map at the front of the classroom. The German troops had occupied Sudetenland. Since Mrs. Fischer did not know the exact place, I got to mark the whole north east border of Sudetenland! Mrs. Fischer also told us that the Czechoslovakian government had resigned.
October 28th, We had a missing student,she had been gone for a few days, I never fully got to know her and I could never remember her name after such a long time. But when my friend Anna asked where the student went, Mrs. Fischer explained that by today, all of the Polish Jews were being deported. Anna asked why they would do that. The entire class thought that that was a shocking question. We had all been raised to dislike Jews, but nobody our age ever asked why. Nevertheless, Mrs. Fischer answered. "I do not know and I would not be able to fully tell you even if I did know. But what I can tell you is that it is not right. It is not right at all." Mrs. Fischer continued with her lesson afterwards.
October 31st, Mrs. Fischer was not at school. Nobody explained anything, but we got a new teacher named Mrs. Hofmann. I did not like her. She was stricter than Mrs. Fischer.
November 9th/10th, Kristallnacht happened. I was not able to sleep that night. Even though my family lives on the second floor of an apartment andn Papa's shop is ten miles away, you could still hear the shouts coming from that area. "What a shame." Was all Papa said. I had always thought that was odd, since all the other adults on the street seemed to have loved the idea.
1939- January 30th, The family sat around the radio and listened to the Fuhrer's Reichstag speech.
February 9th, Heinz turned thirteen today! He was able to move up from his original group from the Hitler Youth. He transferred to the Hitler Jugend.
March 8th, Henny turned one!
March 15th/16th, Germany conquered Czechoslovakia. Today was Anna's turn to mark the map. Mrs. Hofmann hit Anna's knuckles and yelled at her because she marked Hungary instead of Czechoslovakia.
May 22nd, It was all over the radio. Germany signed the Pact of Steel with Italy.
August 23rd, Germany also signed a pact with the Soviet Union! Mama said that Germany may actually win. Win what, I do not know.
September 1st, Today was a strange day, my new grade teacher, Mrs. Muller, marked the map herself today. Germany invaded Poland and she marked it herself. Today was Dieter's day to mark the map but Mrs. Muller said that he'd just have to wait until tomorrow. Dieter started to cry.
September 3rd, Father told me that Great Britain, France, Australia, AND New Zealand have all declared war on Germany. I asked him what that means for the future. He said we just need to believe in our motherland.
September 4th, Today our Navy got attacked by Britain's Royal Air Force! Mrs. Muller was hysterical when she told us. She had to leave the room for a moment. Rumor had it that she had a loved one in Germany's Navy.
September 10th, Anna came to my house today. We picked up my dad's newspaper while he went outside to talks to one of our neighbors. The headline was that Canada declared war on Germany.
September 29th, Anna told me that the Nazis and the Soviets divided up Poland. Then we gossiped. I told her that Hans liked her. She was completely surprised. I have a feeling that Anna and I are starting to become best friends.
October, I saw the soldiers removing people from our apartment area. I asked Papa what was going on. He said that the soldiers were taking away the "sick" people who's bodies were not able to function as well. I asked about his leg. He asked what about it. I said that it causes him to walk funny. He said "Shh, do not talk about that. It's time for bed."
November 8th, Someone tried to assassinate Hitler! Anna told me but said that that's as far as she knows. She said her mother scolded her for eavesdropping.
December 25th, We found a puppy under the Christmas tree! What a great surprise! We named him Otto! Otto was the most excited to see Henny. Henny couldn't stop laughing when Otto was licking her face.
1940-March 8th, Henny turned two! But she was feeling sick. Mama said she probably had a cold. We all wished for her to get well.
April 9th, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Today was my turn to mark the board. Anna said I was lucky because I got to mark two countries.
May 10th, Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands today. But I did not learn that from Mrs. Muller. I heard it on the radio when the family was sitting down, listening to it.
May 15th, Heinz told me that Holland surrendered to Germany today.
May 28th, Mama told me that Belgium surrendered to Germany today. I'm not sure why Mrs. Muller has not been telling us everything.
June 3rd, Mrs. Muller was asked to leave the room at the beginning of class. Two adults were talking to her. I could hear them but their voices sounded muffled. When she came back inside, she started talking about the war right away. She told us that Germany bombed Paris today. Dieter got to mark the map today.
June 10th, Norway surrendered to the Nazis today. Hans got to mark Norway. Anna will not admit it, but she was staring.
June 22nd, Today, in Papa's newspaper, it said that France signed an armistice with Germany.
July 1st, While eating supper, Heinz could not stop talking about everything that he learned in school and at Hitler Youth. He told me that Germany built these U-boats and are attacking ships in the Atlantic ocean as we speak! Mama shushed him and told him that supper is no place for war talk.
August 1st, Today was a very exciting day! I turned ten and could join the Hitler Youth. Mama was awful busy today and could not take me. She said it would have to wait until tomorrow. But she was required to sign me up. I am to join the Jungmadels!
August 15th, The Hitler Youth is different than I had imagined! They taught us more about the Aryan Race. We even learned the song "Hitler is Our Saviour!" Heinz told me that us girls have it easy but I do not think that that is true because we have to run and exercise alot.
August 25th/26th, Britain raided Berlin! It was the first British air raid on Berlin! I do not know anyone who lives in Berlin but I feel awful.
September 15th, Heinz took father's newspaper and told me that Germany air raided London, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester. Father has warned him about taking his newspaper. But when I brought this up all Heinz said was "What will he do? Report me to the Gestapo?" I did not find that funny.
September 28th, I did not hear the news until today. Germany, Italy, and Japan all signed the Tripartite (Axis) pact.
October 7th, German troops have entered Romania. I got to mark Romania's border today.
November 23rd, Three days before, Hungary joined the Axis powers. Today, Romania joined the Axis powers! I noticed that mother's belly was rounder.
December 29th/30th, There was a German air raid on London.