Eric Kreye, whose story is told in the book Under the Blood Banner: The Story of a Hitler Youth talks with Michael Peabody about growing up in Hitler’s Germany. Born in America but raised in Germany, Eric describes how he was beaten by his teacher when he could not recite Hitler’s life story, how his father helped him avoid many of the Hitler Youth activities, how his family hid a Jewish woman and her daughter from the Gestapo, what it was like when the American military moved into Germany, and how he and his brother came to America.
To read “Under the Blood Banner” online visit: http://www.amazingjoy.com/frame_contents.htm
The book is also available in print from TEACH Services for $12.95.
Listen to the Interview:
Thanks for doing this interview. It was obviously a difficult time for those who disagreed with Hitler. When liberty can only be maintained by subterfuge and hiding, it takes brave people to withstand the pressure; or to risk their very lives.
I had missed the fact that Adventism came into their lives only after returning to America. If you have the opportunity, I wish you could interview someone who survived Hitler's Germany as an Adventist. I once had a two hour talk with one such believer, perhaps 8 – 10 years older than Kreye. It was painful (frightening) to hear his 1990's defense of Hitler's and his own family's hatred for all Jews.
From my conversation with him and from other sources, I have gained the impression that Adventist believers had a hard time (along with other Christians) in identifying the evil that was foundational to Hitler's Reich – in the face of his “savior” persona. I may have misunderstood, but it seems that “religious liberty” took on a different meaning to many who admired him.
This is great. What a neat way to unpack the book and make it come alive,
Some of my students were starting to read this book, and we found this podcast. The boys enjoyed hearing about what it was like to be involved in the Hitler youth.