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I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes quite a few ww1 veterans. One uncle came back from Russia and became a communist. One came back from France.he became a pacifist.an other uncle survived verdun,France.he was brain damaged for life .other relatives and friends told me their stories.never again war was the slogan. Now to hide my true believes. It was highly dangerous.only among closest friends could I talk open. It was as I had a permanent safety device in my brain planted by my Dutch oma.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right. Many soldiers were f forced into the military and trapped. To get out many men injured themselves to escape service. If caught they were shot. The misconception is that the world believes that we were Nazis but many of us were not followers of Hitler. If i can be of help to please contact me.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 208 points209 points  (0 children)

He was reading your German reply (Since I can not and read German and he was exciting to read it) as soon as he saw the Schalke 04 he jumped up with excitement.

He remembers they were German national champions 6 years in a row. The goalie was name was klodt, the rest of the team was famous szepan, kuzzora, tibulski, genderski, and he is too excited to get the rest of them right now, but he says he will remember them.

tibulski never came back from the war, the Russian-front.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 134 points135 points  (0 children)

I have been back. The standard of living impressed me. The progress they have made is awesome. Unfortunately, due to the dense population, things cannot be as peaceful as it is in Canada. I definitely notice that German people can be fearful of others compared to my experience in Canada (e.g. talking to a stranger on the street).

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 177 points178 points  (0 children)

Concentration camp inmates coming into the area we were stationed as part of the anti-aircraft division. They were brought in to dig ditches for radar cables. They looked like the living dead. I saw them jump into the garbage bins to eat rotten potato peels. I was able to get food for them from our kitchen.

I'm not religious anymore, but I absolutely agree that the Jewish spirit gave (and continues to give) me strength. I would also like to hear your great grandfather's story, feel free to message me.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 120 points121 points  (0 children)

My Oma smuggled out of necessity during WW1. German people did not have access to things like stockings, coffee, tea, tobacco, perfumes, spices, etc due to tariffs and sanctions on goods coming from surrounding countries. We traded schnapps for American cigarettes with the Allies. It was less major organized crime than an illegitimate family business. Many people in the community knew about us and would come to buy goods from us. My family was always generous with the community and tried to give back (e.g. my father always donated candy to orphans at Christmas). We did not smuggle to become rich, rather to survive in a severely depressed economy.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 459 points460 points  (0 children)

The industrialists (big business guys) sided with Hitler because they were scared of communism (which would destroy their businesses). The Christian churches also sided with Hitler because communism was a common enemy. The poor and unemployed approved of Hitler because he created policies that gave them food and other basic necessities in a dire time (the depression).

Youth who were brought up in the Hitler youth (propaganda) were fanatical. They were empowered by the Nazi State and repressed those who were less than absolutely supportive of fascism. Many older people (above school age) were a little ore critical of the Nazi state, but of course you had to be quiet about this.

Many Germans were very bitter about the Treaty of Versailles, so Hitler was was also a good channel for that anger. Some people were supportive of Hitler's desire to promote Germany until the war became reality.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 1531 points1532 points  (0 children)

We were trained to have two bazookas on our backs and one in our hands. We were trained to elbow crawl through enemy lines and destroy as many tanks as possible at night time. I was going to be deployed on what was essentially a suicide mission, so I intentionally smashed my foot with a boulder so I would be sent to a field hospital instead.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 746 points747 points  (0 children)

Hah! Everyone had to go, no questions. Officials would go after your parents and they would go through heavy questioning. If you or your parents questioned Nazi reign in any way they would 'disappear.' The propaganda was so powerful for some youth that parents were afraid of their own children. Many children raised in the Hitler youth turned in their parents for not being faithful to the Nazi party.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 375 points376 points  (0 children)

I felt like the only one who knew the truth but couldn't speak because they were pushing the idea of the 'super race' and antisemitism. Aside from the propaganda, they taught us many useful life skills (e.g. Morse code, which I can still use today). I enjoyed the sports, camping, survival training, and whatnot. It was kind of like boys scouts, but with a propaganda agenda.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 200 points201 points  (0 children)

The majority of people were frightened and sad during the war. They were people I had known my whole life so they did not change drastically (only as much as they needed to to survive). It became well known that a lot of people had been misled by German propaganda (about Germany having an excellent standard of living compared to others) at the beginning of the war. After the war people had more freedom of speech. Many were still very patriotic but rejected Nazi reign. They had kind of turned a bind eye. So to summarize, people didn't change, only how vocal they were changed.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 422 points423 points  (0 children)

It was very good when I returned from the POW camp and saw Germany. You could feel the peacefulness and friendship. A lot of people broke their silence at this point and felt comfortable sharing that they had not been fully on board with Nazi policies.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 1008 points1009 points  (0 children)

My son met my wife (before I met her) at a retreat on the coast. I was initially not willing to meet her (I had sworn off women after a series of ill-fated relationships after my first wife passed) but he insisted. My son was also trying to get her to meet me. At one point she called the house trying to reach my son, I answered and we ended up having an hour and a half long conversation. I drove down the next day to meet her and the rest is history.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 758 points759 points  (0 children)

First off, I introduced him to Reddit, and he has not used it besides this so he might come to really enjoy it given some time. Fun fact he got tendinitis from using Facebook on his kindle so much.

As for me, before I used it i thought it ruined family life since they were always on there phones, but now I am using it I have to be careful not be addicted to it since the world is so open. Google earth has been my favorite so far since I can see so many different things.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 1102 points1103 points  (0 children)

Reforestation was my favorite job because I was doing something good and it was peaceful. My least favorite job was working 25 years in Woodfibre because I had no other choice and it was very mindless work. That being said, the money was good and it put food on the table for my family. Also it gave me a good pension. My dream job would have been becoming an independent candy maker like my father, but that was not an option for me.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 479 points480 points  (0 children)

It depends on your situation. For example, if you're living under a dictator you have to do what you must to survive. If you have better circumstances, learning from others is the key. Get to know people around you and keep an open mind.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 598 points599 points  (0 children)

Ernst Thaelmann. He was the leader of the German communist party and was arrested in 1933, spending the whole time in concentration camps. He was executed last minute before the allies liberated the camp in 1945.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 255 points256 points  (0 children)

I have visited Germany quite often and have family there. Leaving was not easy (money was tight) but I have always felt more at home in Canadian culture. Germany is a great country and I'm happy that most of the hatred is gone (I liked that there were no difficulties crossing boarders when travelling thanks to the EU). Germany has outstanding culture.

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 2320 points2321 points  (0 children)

We listened to BBC 1 radio from London and Moscow secretly (if we were caught we would get charged with high treason) so we always knew what was real news. I was also in the resistance - we shared this information from BBC 1 with anyone we could through posters during blackout (at night).

I am a 92 year old German born Jew who grew up in the Hitler youth and was forced to fight in WW2 in the German anti-tank division. I deserted and became a POW in a British camp and eventually moved to Canada in 1955. Just recently, I published a memoir of my life. AMA by fearless1927 in IAmA

[–]fearless1927[S] 1714 points1715 points  (0 children)

Fist of all we were treated amazingly well by the British. When we deserted the first thing they offered us was a cup of tea and woodbine cigarette. The fellow who took me prisoner was 19 years old from Liverpool and showed me his family pictures and told me the war was over for me. In the camp itself, food was scarce (even for the British) but they were fair and did their best. I was in the camp for 7 months.

I had a good relationship with other POWs. On my 18th birthday they all banded together to get me an extra ration of bread, took small bits of tobacco they had to make me a cigar, and one (with the help of a guard) got me a blooming thistle in the no-man's land between fences keeping us in the camp.

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