History is a key part of understanding the world and how
things have come to be in the world we live in now.
World War Two (WWII) was a terrible time for many people
around the world, but is part of our history nonetheless and therefore should
be talked about and taught about. Remember World War II by Dorinda Nicholson does
just that by going through first-hand accounts of the horrors of this tragic
event. These accounts varied from little kids in affected regions and overall
youthful children to were affected by this wartime.
Fred Losch, a kid from East Prussia, Germany, recalls a band
or group of people called the "Jungvolk", and how he joined at 10
years of age. Fred talked about how he overcame some hikes that were
challenging, along with a bike trip. This was until that bike trip was
interrupted because the roads were overrun with military vehicles, and he was
told to return home immediately. He knew something was up, and a few days
after, the war began. Another person also recalled being outside sweeping the
street with her straw broom, until she heard the marching of what sounded like
hundreds of soldiers. She ran back inside and yelled, "Mother, they're
here. The Nazis are here!" This is when Germany began their conquest of
Europe, beginning with Poland and school children were forced to learn how to
salute with their right arm and say "Heil Hitler!".
This worldwide event
was terrifying, and many people were forced to pick sides or hide. Some people
picked the Nazi's side, while others picked the war-torn and affected countries
that were being attacked by the tyranny of Hitler. Many people hid, as to not
be found and torn away from their families, and that's what I would try to do
in that situation. It wouldn't be good to pick a side as one half of the
warring countries would see you as an enemy, and attempt to take you away from
everything that you love. In my opinion, it would be wise to stack up on
supplies and try to wait out the war.
Overall, this book is great at telling the story of World
War Two. It is reliable and interesting to read about what people experienced
during this time as it used accounts of a wide variety of individuals, both
from inside of Germany and out. It is truly a great read and recommended to
anyone who is trying to find some information on World War Two and or history
in general.
