1941- January 1st, Today we received a new Bambach member! Mama said it that it is mother's jobs in Germany to have at least four children. She named her Anneliese. Henny was surprised when she got to see her. Henny, being only two, was very confused. Mama told me to keep Henny busy because she needed to rest,
April 7th, On April 6th, Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia. Since the 6th was Sunday, we did not get a chance to mark the map. But today we did and it was my turn. Mrs. Aust had a different way of marking the map. Most other teachers used tacks to mark the areas but Mrs. Aust uses paint. If German troops have entered an area you use black paint. If they have conquered it, you used the red paint. I used the black paint.
April 14th, Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's commanders has attacked Tobruk.
April 17th, Today Yugoslavia surrendered to us.
April 20th, Today is the Fuhrer's birthday! At school and at Hitler Youth, we were required to wear our uniforms and sing.
April 27th, Today Greece surrendered to us.
May 10th/11th, Heinz told me that Germany is bombing London as we speak and that Great Britain has bombed Hamburg,
June 22nd, Heinz told me that Germany is attacking the Soviet Union. I did not know where he got this information but I didn't ask because I feared that he would stop telling me if I pester him with questions.
June+, Mass murder: SS-Einsatzgruppen. Those are the only words I remember seeing on the newspaper before my papa crumpled it up and threw it into the fire. Heinz told me that it was a forbidden newspaper.
June 30th, Two days before, Germany captured Minsk.
August 1st, I turn eleven today. Papa let me help him around the store. I found it fun to work at the work there.
September 1st, Mrs. Ackermann was my new grade teacher. She was really pretty but strict. She said that we were to expect lots of work. On my way to school (I was walking with Anna,) we saw a family of Jews walking down the street. They had these badge looking yellow things pinned to their coats. I asked Anna what they were and she said "That's how you know if they are Jews." I was not sure why they need to be identified. I guess so you know not to mix with them. I did not ask Mama and Papa.
September 19th, Mrs. Ackermann told us that Germany has taken Kiev.
October 2nd, Heinz told me that Germany had advanced on Moscow. (Now this is known as Operation Typhon.)
October 16th, Germany tooks Odessa.
October 24th, Today I got to feed Anneliese out of a bottle. Being ten months old, she was very fragile. Germany took Kharkov.
October 30th, Today Hans got to mark the map. (It was very interesting to see every teachers maps. While most are the same, Mrs. Ackermann's map has more color.) Germany reached Sevastopol.
November 20th, Anna marked Rostov on the map because Germany took it.
November 27th, Seven days earlier (When Rostov was taken by the Germans.) Heinz was very pumped and excited. Today he is frustrated because the Soviet Troops have repcaptured Rostov.
December 11th, Today was a big day. Germany has declared war on America. While many are happy and are ready to take down America, many are afraid. Mama is one of them. "There's always been a background fear ever since...Well I cannot remember. But it was not always there." Mama said. Now that I think about it, I've noticed the fear. But why should we be afraid when we are the future?
December 16th, Rommel has started to retreat to El Agehlia (Located in North Afrika.)
1942- January 13th, I did not learn this until more recent years. But on this day, Germany began a U-boat offensive along America's east coast.
January 21st, Rommel begun his counter offensive from El Agehlia. I was not big on war topics but Heinz told me.
April 23rd, Heinz told me that Germany has air raided Britain cities and is continuing to do so. (I later learned that these air raids were targeted at Cathedral cities in Britain.)
May 27th, Reinhard Heydrich (SS Leader) was attacked in Prague. It was an assassination attempt. Nobody is sure how Heydrich will turn out.
June 4th, Papa told me that Heydrich has died. The cause was wounds.
June 5th, Heinz has been learning more and more each day at Hitler Youth. He told me that Germany has besieged Sevastopol.
June 21st, Rommel officially captured Tobruk,
June 30th, Heinz brought a small map for me after he returned from Hitler Youth. He showed me that in Cairo, Egypt, there is a place called El Alamein, He said that Rommel's troops have reached that place.
July 3rd, Germany took Sevastopol. I could not wait for school to start again even though the Hitler Youth was keeping me very busy exercising and training to be the Master Race.
July 9th, "Our country is heading towards Stalingrad. We will take down the Soviet Union!" Heinz told me.
July 27th, There had been fighting going on at El Alamein for over 26 days! Today it ended. (Later researching this battle, it is now known as the First Battle of El Alamein. It was fought by the Axis and Allied Powers. The Axis Powers won.)
August 23rd, Germany air raided Stalingrad today.
September 13th, Fighting at Stalingrad begun.
November 1st, Today the Allies broke the Axis lines at El Alamein. (Also known as the Second Battle at El Alamein or Operation Supercharge.)
November 11th, The Axis forces invaded Vichy, France. Anna, (who's in a different class) told me that her teacher told her this. She had Mrs. Abel and I have Mrs. Jund.
December 13th, Rommel has decided to withdraw from El Aghelia. The country is devastated.
December 31st, Heinz told me that there's a fight going on over the Barents Sea between Germany and Britain. (Now know as the Battle of the Barents Sea.)
1943- January 1st, Today Anneliese turned two! Henny was jealous of all the attention that was given to Anneliese;.
January 3rd, Germany withdrew from the Caucasus. Papa looked uneasy today.
January 11th, The Soviet Union began their offensive in Stalingrad yesterday. Mrs. Jund told us that. Papa got worse. He claims that it is just a cold but Mama was worried sick. I did not know what to think.
January 27th, Today has been a tragic day for the people of Wilhelmshaven. It was the first bombing raid on Germany by America.
February 2nd, The fighting at Stalingrad ended. Germany surrendered. This has been Germany's first big defeat. Everyone is class was sad. Mrs. Jund said that we did not have to mark the map today. I was also sad today because Mama took Papa to the Krankenhaus. (The hospital.)
February 8th, The Soviet troops retook Kharkov. We all went to visit Papa at the Krankenhaus. I brought berries because I know that he loves them. But the krankenschwestern told Mama that I would not be allowed inside unless I got rid of the berries. When we did go inside, Papa looked very weak. I asked what was wrong and he said that he is just sick but will get better. He said that right now Harald (the apprentice) is running the store.
February 13rd, As if Mama could not possibly be more worried, Heinz announced that he is going to sign up to fight for our country. There is a Hitlerjugend Division that has been made specifically for boys his age. Mama went to her room and did not come back out until supper.
February 14th, Rommel's Afrika Korps are fighting America's in Tunisia, North Afrika. (Battle now known as the Battle of Kasserine Pass. American troops were the U.S. 1st Armored Division.)
March 1st, After at least three months, Papa has died. Mama told us after she got back from the Krankenhaus. She then walked to her room and slammed the door. Anneliese started to wail from the loud sound and I tried my best to shush her.
March 2nd, Mrs. Jund told the class that Rommel's troops withdrew from Tunisia, Afrika.
March 3rd, We buried Papa today. It did not feel like he was actually gone. Just on a vacation.
March 15th, Germany re-captured Kharkov. (Now known as the Third Battle of Kharkov.)
March 20th, I asked Mama what had happened to Papa. She said that his leg had become too much but would say no more. Heinz has offered to help buy our groceries by working at Papa's shop with Harald until he leaves in May.
April 7th, Mrs. Jund told us that the Axis forces in Tunisia have begun their withdrawal toward Enfidaville.
May 13th, Mrs. Jund walked into the classroom very glum. When we asked her what was wrong she explained that the Axis Powers in North Afrika surrendered today. Food at home got very bland but I did not complain because I feared that Mama would excuse herself from the table again and I knew that Heinz was doing the best that he could.
May 30th, Today Heinz left to go train for the SS Panzergrenadier Division Hitlerjugend. His training would not start until July 1st, but he had to catch the train to Belgium.
July 9th, The Allies have landed in Sicily.
July 19th, The Allies have bombed Rome.
July 23rd, Yesterday, the Allies captured Palermo Sicily.
June 24th, The British bombed Hamburg today.
July 28th, Starting yesterday, the Allied raid in Hamburg caused a firestorm.
August 1st, Today was my 13th birthday and it felt like anything other than a birthday. It was my first birthday without hearing Papa open the front door and me racing to hug him. Heinz is not here either. Mama tried her best to put on her happiest face but it just was not the same.
August 17th, Today Mr. Janson (new teacher) had a lot to tell us. Starting five days ago, Germany finished evacuating Sicily. There have also been daylight air raids caused by the Allied forces on Regensburg and Schweinfurt. The Allies also reached Messina, Sicily. Mr. Janson is not as relatable to as my other teachers were.
August 23rd, The Soviet Union recaptured Kharkov.
September 1st, Today Heinz, along with about 16,000 other recruits, have completed their 6-week basic training.
September 8th, Today Mr. Janson announced that the Italians surrendered to the Allies. Dieter started to cry.
September 11th, The Germans troops occupied Rome.
October 13th, Oh how the tables have turned. Mr. Janson was sad to announce that Italy has declared war on Germany. There was also a second air raid on Schweinfurt.
October 20th, Heinz wrote back to us about how swell things are going. He hopes that we received part of his pay check (we did) and asks us to wish him well.
November 18th, There was an extremely heavy British air raid on Berlin today. Mama is constantly worried that it will be us next.
1944- January 22nd, The Allies have landed at Anzio, Italy.
February 17th, Yesterday, Germany began a counter-attack against the Anzio beachhead.
March 6th, Mr. Janson announced that last Saturday, the Soviet Union troops began an offensive on the Belorussian front. There was also a major daylight bombing raid on Berlin by the Allies.
March 8th, Today was Henny's birthday. She turned six. Mother has certainly gotten a lot better since Papa's death but she has been distressed over the fact that Henny and especially Anneliese will grow up without knowing their father. Henny got to try Mama's "special drink." It was mostly water with herbs. I told Mama to not worry that the tea is not finely made, because we need the money.
March 18th, Mama has finally picked up a newspaper in a very long time. It read that Britain bombed Hamburg. (Later it was found out that 3000 tons were dropped.)
May 9th, The Soviet Union has recaptured Sevastopol.
May 12th, After heavy attacks from the Allies, the German troops surrendered in the Crimea.
May 15th, The German troops withdrew to the Adolf Hitler Line.
May 25th, The German troops retreat from Anzio. So much bad news.
June 6th, The Allied Troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. (Now known as D-Day or Operation Overlord.)
June 13th, I heard that Germany attacked Britain with rockets. (Later I learned that this was Germany's first V-1 rocket attack on Britain.
July 3rd, On the radio it announced that the Soviets captured Minsk.
July 9th, Great Britain and Canada captured Caen, France. There was no school map to mark it on since it was summer so I took out the map that Heinz had given me. I marked Caen.
July 10th, We received word that Heinz had died in combat last month and that they could not find his body. Mama broke down. Now what were we going to do?
August 1st, For my birthday Mama made her "special drink" for me. I gladly drank it. Anna came over and we played paper dolls with Henny. Anna told me that she heard that U.S. Troops have reached Avranches. I also turned fourteen and that meant that I got to transfer Youth Groups.Instead of being with the Jungmadels, I moved up to the Bund Deutscher Madels!
August 7th, The German Troops began a counter-attack towards Avranches. This new Youth group seemed to be much tougher than the one I used to be in.
August 25th, Paris has been taken! I learned this from my new teacher Mrs. Beyersdorf (Anna and I were finally in the same class once again!) Mrs. Beyersdorf told us about Paris and Hans asked if this meant that Germany would lose. "We musn't lose hope." Mrs. Beyersdorf replied.
August 31st, The Soviet Union took Bucharest.
September 4th, Since three days before, Verdun, Dieppe, Artois, Rouen, Abbeville, Antwerp, and Brussels have been taken by the Allies.
September 17th, The Allies airborne assaulted Holland.
September 26th, The Soviet Union troops occupied Estonia.
October 29th, The Soviet Union troops captured Riga.
October 14th, The Allies took Athens.
December 16th/27th, The German Troops launched a surprise offensive against the Allies. (Also known as Battle of the Bulge or the Ardennes Offensive.)
1945- January 1st/17th, The German troops withdrew from the Ardennes and the Soviet Union troops captured Warsaw, Poland. Mother was hired at a sewing factory so she got home very late. When she was home, it felt as if we were sitting in silence while everything around us went crazy. Perhaps everything was. Today was also Anneliese's birthday. She turned four.
February 13th/15th, The Bombing of Dresden. My worst experience in the world. (You can read more about it on the other page.)
February 21st, Henny, Anneliese, and I borded the train to go to Oma and Opa's.
February 22nd, We arrived in Tubingen.
March 6th, The German troops defended oil fields in Hungary. (This would be their last offensive of the war.)
March 30th, The Soviet Union troops captured Danzig.
April 12th, I started school in Tubingen, (A new school year did not start but Oma and Opa wanted me to get an education.) My teacher's new was Mrs. Bretz.
April 16th, Mrs. Bretz told the class that the Soviet Union attacked Berlin and that the Allied troops entered Nuremberg. Henny started at her new school today.
April 18th, The German troops in the Ruhr surrender.
April 20th, Today is Hitler's birthday but nobody in Tubingen shows any signs of celebration.
April 21st, The Soviet Union troops have reached Berlin.
May 2nd, The German troops in Italy surrender. Although I cannot remember the exact day, (He had commited suicide on April 30th but his body had not been found yet) we found out that Hitler was dead. It was not a shock. Opa told me that he was a dead man before he died.
May 7th, All German troops surrendered to the Allies.
April 7th, On April 6th, Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia. Since the 6th was Sunday, we did not get a chance to mark the map. But today we did and it was my turn. Mrs. Aust had a different way of marking the map. Most other teachers used tacks to mark the areas but Mrs. Aust uses paint. If German troops have entered an area you use black paint. If they have conquered it, you used the red paint. I used the black paint.
April 14th, Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's commanders has attacked Tobruk.
April 17th, Today Yugoslavia surrendered to us.
April 20th, Today is the Fuhrer's birthday! At school and at Hitler Youth, we were required to wear our uniforms and sing.
April 27th, Today Greece surrendered to us.
May 10th/11th, Heinz told me that Germany is bombing London as we speak and that Great Britain has bombed Hamburg,
June 22nd, Heinz told me that Germany is attacking the Soviet Union. I did not know where he got this information but I didn't ask because I feared that he would stop telling me if I pester him with questions.
June+, Mass murder: SS-Einsatzgruppen. Those are the only words I remember seeing on the newspaper before my papa crumpled it up and threw it into the fire. Heinz told me that it was a forbidden newspaper.
June 30th, Two days before, Germany captured Minsk.
August 1st, I turn eleven today. Papa let me help him around the store. I found it fun to work at the work there.
September 1st, Mrs. Ackermann was my new grade teacher. She was really pretty but strict. She said that we were to expect lots of work. On my way to school (I was walking with Anna,) we saw a family of Jews walking down the street. They had these badge looking yellow things pinned to their coats. I asked Anna what they were and she said "That's how you know if they are Jews." I was not sure why they need to be identified. I guess so you know not to mix with them. I did not ask Mama and Papa.
September 19th, Mrs. Ackermann told us that Germany has taken Kiev.
October 2nd, Heinz told me that Germany had advanced on Moscow. (Now this is known as Operation Typhon.)
October 16th, Germany tooks Odessa.
October 24th, Today I got to feed Anneliese out of a bottle. Being ten months old, she was very fragile. Germany took Kharkov.
October 30th, Today Hans got to mark the map. (It was very interesting to see every teachers maps. While most are the same, Mrs. Ackermann's map has more color.) Germany reached Sevastopol.
November 20th, Anna marked Rostov on the map because Germany took it.
November 27th, Seven days earlier (When Rostov was taken by the Germans.) Heinz was very pumped and excited. Today he is frustrated because the Soviet Troops have repcaptured Rostov.
December 11th, Today was a big day. Germany has declared war on America. While many are happy and are ready to take down America, many are afraid. Mama is one of them. "There's always been a background fear ever since...Well I cannot remember. But it was not always there." Mama said. Now that I think about it, I've noticed the fear. But why should we be afraid when we are the future?
December 16th, Rommel has started to retreat to El Agehlia (Located in North Afrika.)
1942- January 13th, I did not learn this until more recent years. But on this day, Germany began a U-boat offensive along America's east coast.
January 21st, Rommel begun his counter offensive from El Agehlia. I was not big on war topics but Heinz told me.
April 23rd, Heinz told me that Germany has air raided Britain cities and is continuing to do so. (I later learned that these air raids were targeted at Cathedral cities in Britain.)
May 27th, Reinhard Heydrich (SS Leader) was attacked in Prague. It was an assassination attempt. Nobody is sure how Heydrich will turn out.
June 4th, Papa told me that Heydrich has died. The cause was wounds.
June 5th, Heinz has been learning more and more each day at Hitler Youth. He told me that Germany has besieged Sevastopol.
June 21st, Rommel officially captured Tobruk,
June 30th, Heinz brought a small map for me after he returned from Hitler Youth. He showed me that in Cairo, Egypt, there is a place called El Alamein, He said that Rommel's troops have reached that place.
July 3rd, Germany took Sevastopol. I could not wait for school to start again even though the Hitler Youth was keeping me very busy exercising and training to be the Master Race.
July 9th, "Our country is heading towards Stalingrad. We will take down the Soviet Union!" Heinz told me.
July 27th, There had been fighting going on at El Alamein for over 26 days! Today it ended. (Later researching this battle, it is now known as the First Battle of El Alamein. It was fought by the Axis and Allied Powers. The Axis Powers won.)
August 23rd, Germany air raided Stalingrad today.
September 13th, Fighting at Stalingrad begun.
November 1st, Today the Allies broke the Axis lines at El Alamein. (Also known as the Second Battle at El Alamein or Operation Supercharge.)
November 11th, The Axis forces invaded Vichy, France. Anna, (who's in a different class) told me that her teacher told her this. She had Mrs. Abel and I have Mrs. Jund.
December 13th, Rommel has decided to withdraw from El Aghelia. The country is devastated.
December 31st, Heinz told me that there's a fight going on over the Barents Sea between Germany and Britain. (Now know as the Battle of the Barents Sea.)
1943- January 1st, Today Anneliese turned two! Henny was jealous of all the attention that was given to Anneliese;.
January 3rd, Germany withdrew from the Caucasus. Papa looked uneasy today.
January 11th, The Soviet Union began their offensive in Stalingrad yesterday. Mrs. Jund told us that. Papa got worse. He claims that it is just a cold but Mama was worried sick. I did not know what to think.
January 27th, Today has been a tragic day for the people of Wilhelmshaven. It was the first bombing raid on Germany by America.
February 2nd, The fighting at Stalingrad ended. Germany surrendered. This has been Germany's first big defeat. Everyone is class was sad. Mrs. Jund said that we did not have to mark the map today. I was also sad today because Mama took Papa to the Krankenhaus. (The hospital.)
February 8th, The Soviet troops retook Kharkov. We all went to visit Papa at the Krankenhaus. I brought berries because I know that he loves them. But the krankenschwestern told Mama that I would not be allowed inside unless I got rid of the berries. When we did go inside, Papa looked very weak. I asked what was wrong and he said that he is just sick but will get better. He said that right now Harald (the apprentice) is running the store.
February 13rd, As if Mama could not possibly be more worried, Heinz announced that he is going to sign up to fight for our country. There is a Hitlerjugend Division that has been made specifically for boys his age. Mama went to her room and did not come back out until supper.
February 14th, Rommel's Afrika Korps are fighting America's in Tunisia, North Afrika. (Battle now known as the Battle of Kasserine Pass. American troops were the U.S. 1st Armored Division.)
March 1st, After at least three months, Papa has died. Mama told us after she got back from the Krankenhaus. She then walked to her room and slammed the door. Anneliese started to wail from the loud sound and I tried my best to shush her.
March 2nd, Mrs. Jund told the class that Rommel's troops withdrew from Tunisia, Afrika.
March 3rd, We buried Papa today. It did not feel like he was actually gone. Just on a vacation.
March 15th, Germany re-captured Kharkov. (Now known as the Third Battle of Kharkov.)
March 20th, I asked Mama what had happened to Papa. She said that his leg had become too much but would say no more. Heinz has offered to help buy our groceries by working at Papa's shop with Harald until he leaves in May.
April 7th, Mrs. Jund told us that the Axis forces in Tunisia have begun their withdrawal toward Enfidaville.
May 13th, Mrs. Jund walked into the classroom very glum. When we asked her what was wrong she explained that the Axis Powers in North Afrika surrendered today. Food at home got very bland but I did not complain because I feared that Mama would excuse herself from the table again and I knew that Heinz was doing the best that he could.
May 30th, Today Heinz left to go train for the SS Panzergrenadier Division Hitlerjugend. His training would not start until July 1st, but he had to catch the train to Belgium.
July 9th, The Allies have landed in Sicily.
July 19th, The Allies have bombed Rome.
July 23rd, Yesterday, the Allies captured Palermo Sicily.
June 24th, The British bombed Hamburg today.
July 28th, Starting yesterday, the Allied raid in Hamburg caused a firestorm.
August 1st, Today was my 13th birthday and it felt like anything other than a birthday. It was my first birthday without hearing Papa open the front door and me racing to hug him. Heinz is not here either. Mama tried her best to put on her happiest face but it just was not the same.
August 17th, Today Mr. Janson (new teacher) had a lot to tell us. Starting five days ago, Germany finished evacuating Sicily. There have also been daylight air raids caused by the Allied forces on Regensburg and Schweinfurt. The Allies also reached Messina, Sicily. Mr. Janson is not as relatable to as my other teachers were.
August 23rd, The Soviet Union recaptured Kharkov.
September 1st, Today Heinz, along with about 16,000 other recruits, have completed their 6-week basic training.
September 8th, Today Mr. Janson announced that the Italians surrendered to the Allies. Dieter started to cry.
September 11th, The Germans troops occupied Rome.
October 13th, Oh how the tables have turned. Mr. Janson was sad to announce that Italy has declared war on Germany. There was also a second air raid on Schweinfurt.
October 20th, Heinz wrote back to us about how swell things are going. He hopes that we received part of his pay check (we did) and asks us to wish him well.
November 18th, There was an extremely heavy British air raid on Berlin today. Mama is constantly worried that it will be us next.
1944- January 22nd, The Allies have landed at Anzio, Italy.
February 17th, Yesterday, Germany began a counter-attack against the Anzio beachhead.
March 6th, Mr. Janson announced that last Saturday, the Soviet Union troops began an offensive on the Belorussian front. There was also a major daylight bombing raid on Berlin by the Allies.
March 8th, Today was Henny's birthday. She turned six. Mother has certainly gotten a lot better since Papa's death but she has been distressed over the fact that Henny and especially Anneliese will grow up without knowing their father. Henny got to try Mama's "special drink." It was mostly water with herbs. I told Mama to not worry that the tea is not finely made, because we need the money.
March 18th, Mama has finally picked up a newspaper in a very long time. It read that Britain bombed Hamburg. (Later it was found out that 3000 tons were dropped.)
May 9th, The Soviet Union has recaptured Sevastopol.
May 12th, After heavy attacks from the Allies, the German troops surrendered in the Crimea.
May 15th, The German troops withdrew to the Adolf Hitler Line.
May 25th, The German troops retreat from Anzio. So much bad news.
June 6th, The Allied Troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. (Now known as D-Day or Operation Overlord.)
June 13th, I heard that Germany attacked Britain with rockets. (Later I learned that this was Germany's first V-1 rocket attack on Britain.
July 3rd, On the radio it announced that the Soviets captured Minsk.
July 9th, Great Britain and Canada captured Caen, France. There was no school map to mark it on since it was summer so I took out the map that Heinz had given me. I marked Caen.
July 10th, We received word that Heinz had died in combat last month and that they could not find his body. Mama broke down. Now what were we going to do?
August 1st, For my birthday Mama made her "special drink" for me. I gladly drank it. Anna came over and we played paper dolls with Henny. Anna told me that she heard that U.S. Troops have reached Avranches. I also turned fourteen and that meant that I got to transfer Youth Groups.Instead of being with the Jungmadels, I moved up to the Bund Deutscher Madels!
August 7th, The German Troops began a counter-attack towards Avranches. This new Youth group seemed to be much tougher than the one I used to be in.
August 25th, Paris has been taken! I learned this from my new teacher Mrs. Beyersdorf (Anna and I were finally in the same class once again!) Mrs. Beyersdorf told us about Paris and Hans asked if this meant that Germany would lose. "We musn't lose hope." Mrs. Beyersdorf replied.
August 31st, The Soviet Union took Bucharest.
September 4th, Since three days before, Verdun, Dieppe, Artois, Rouen, Abbeville, Antwerp, and Brussels have been taken by the Allies.
September 17th, The Allies airborne assaulted Holland.
September 26th, The Soviet Union troops occupied Estonia.
October 29th, The Soviet Union troops captured Riga.
October 14th, The Allies took Athens.
December 16th/27th, The German Troops launched a surprise offensive against the Allies. (Also known as Battle of the Bulge or the Ardennes Offensive.)
1945- January 1st/17th, The German troops withdrew from the Ardennes and the Soviet Union troops captured Warsaw, Poland. Mother was hired at a sewing factory so she got home very late. When she was home, it felt as if we were sitting in silence while everything around us went crazy. Perhaps everything was. Today was also Anneliese's birthday. She turned four.
February 13th/15th, The Bombing of Dresden. My worst experience in the world. (You can read more about it on the other page.)
February 21st, Henny, Anneliese, and I borded the train to go to Oma and Opa's.
February 22nd, We arrived in Tubingen.
March 6th, The German troops defended oil fields in Hungary. (This would be their last offensive of the war.)
March 30th, The Soviet Union troops captured Danzig.
April 12th, I started school in Tubingen, (A new school year did not start but Oma and Opa wanted me to get an education.) My teacher's new was Mrs. Bretz.
April 16th, Mrs. Bretz told the class that the Soviet Union attacked Berlin and that the Allied troops entered Nuremberg. Henny started at her new school today.
April 18th, The German troops in the Ruhr surrender.
April 20th, Today is Hitler's birthday but nobody in Tubingen shows any signs of celebration.
April 21st, The Soviet Union troops have reached Berlin.
May 2nd, The German troops in Italy surrender. Although I cannot remember the exact day, (He had commited suicide on April 30th but his body had not been found yet) we found out that Hitler was dead. It was not a shock. Opa told me that he was a dead man before he died.
May 7th, All German troops surrendered to the Allies.