Elfi’s early years were filled with tranquil childhood memories, but as the years passed, she was exposed to the realities of the regime. Knowledge of Hitler’s tyranny increased as Elfi grew to a young girl in a non political family.
The Nazi Party forced the "Heil Hitler" salute, enrollment into the "Hitler Youth" (Bond of German Girls), and the involuntary sterilization of beloved Aunt Gusti. The war years were the most dangerous times for Elfi because of the bombings. Her grandparents lived near the center of Kassel, Germany. She encountered several close calls and miraculous rescues. From early childhood Elfi created a private spiritual world for herself where she could feel secure, like an oasis in a troubled world. With a strong faith, her grandparents had instilled in her, and courage she could face the difficult situations.
She was finally rescued from the immediate danger by being evacuated into the country with her mother and siblings. She was placed with a farmer family and had to travel by train to school in a larger town. Even there she did not escape danger. One day, without warning, the train station was bombed, where all the waiting traveling students were killed. It was only by Gods providence that Elfi was not with them on that particular day. In another village where they had been giving a little more living space Elfi’s mother was able to have most of her children together again. They remained there until the American tanks rolled into the village and occupied it. Two tanks parked in the farmyard in front of Elfi’s house. Elfi knew the war would soon be over and they could return to the city and rebuild their lives anew. The story portrays the history of Nazi Germany, from 1933 to 1945, through the eyes of a child. This history is shown through the experiences of a Christian famil! y in a traumatic and heartwarming manner and relates the family, women and children’s life styles during the Third Reich.
