Martha and Eva: A Mother and Daughter's Journey as German Refugees During WWII

By Eva, Baker

Martha and Eva is a heartfelt and vivid story, weaving together the memories and experiences of a mother and daughter. Their voices recall the treatment put upon them and document their life before and after WWII. You will hear of the wonderful life they had in Schlesien (now Poland) and the fear and deprivation that they experienced – when they became German refugees. More than 3.1 million refugees were mass transported out of Schlesien and into Germany, and more than 400,000 lost their lives during this expulsion.

In 1990 Martha died leaving her memoir for her daughter Eva. It was written in the old German (pre-Hitler) script, translated into German, and then ultimately translated into English by her daughter. Eva, only 10 when WWII ended, added her memories to Martha's. They recall their personal struggles and hardships as German refugees — being ripped from their beloved country, Schlesien.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publication Consultants
• Release date: Jul 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781594336447

Book preview

1942

Preface

Part of this chronicle was first handwritten by Martha Maiwald in 1987 using the old pre-Hitler Germanic script. Martha’s daughter, Eva Baker, re-drafted it into longhand using modern German. It was then translated into English to the best of her ability with occasional assistance from me. Eva’s longtime friend Lieselotte (Lilo) Pritchard assisted with chapter two. The manner in which Martha introduced all of the various relatives in her story and translation from old to new German proved challenging. The memoir was then transferred into its first digital draft on computer by myself.

Again, there were some portions of the English draft that had to be revised because some parts of Martha’s original meaning didn’t come across as clear and correct as they should have. This revision process often involved Eva re-reading her mother’s original German script or her own German re-write aloud. She would then orally translate it into a rough English equivalent for me and I would suggest one or two better ways to say it and stay true to Martha’s original notes.

Eva shed many tears during each stage of translation and transcription of the various drafts of this history, as her mother likely did when she first wrote it. The horrors they experienced at that time and then re-experienced as they each wrote and revised this document has no translation. We can only gain a modicum of understanding of their experiences by reading the events that follow with an open mind and an open heart. The only way to better understand Martha’s story would be to read it in the original German script.

Eva then spent many months writing her memories of life in Schlesien and experiences during and after the war. She finished recalling her story aloud to her daughter Margaret. Both Martha and Eva’s memoirs were then merged into this book.

David Baker 2009

(Eva’s husband)

Introduction

Martha was born in Waldenburg, Schlesien. She lived a simple but beautiful life with her family. She married Gerhard Maiwald and they had their little "Evele" — Eva. Before dying in 1990, Martha wrote down her stories for her daughter.

This is partly Martha’s story. She shares her family’s history and her time in Waldenburg. It also documents the fear and deprivation they experienced during the Second World War, a time when Schlesien became Silesia, Poland. It was a time when nearly three million Germans became refugees and endured a loss of home and country.

Martha’s stories are both heartfelt and vivid. She and her family were uprooted and shipped in cattle cars to northern Germany.

I am sorry there are not too many recollections of my lovely Eva. If I look back on my life and compare it with my grandchildren’s, they are doing well. Life gives us ups and downs. I am worried for my great grandchildren, a worry I will take with me to the grave.

- Martha Maiwald

This is also Eva’s story. Being just a child during the war, she has also contributed her stories of life in Waldenburg and her reflections on the war. Etched into her memories are moments of her wonderful childhood and how it was taken away.

She now lives with her husband David Baker in Wasilla, Alaska, and surrounds herself each day with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren — enjoying every moment. Eva learned how easily life can change, how not having food can keep you up at night, and how she can make it through anything — including cancer. She is the strength that guides our family.

Inspired by my mother’s memoirs, and after so many years of being told ‘Mother you should write things down about your life in Germany and coming to the USA,’ I now share my experiences. In my thoughts I wrote this many times and then put the thoughts away, like in a vault locked up. Many parts are emotional and sad. That’s why it was difficult for me to write and feel the horror all over again. The time has come and I will do my best to tell you what happened.

- Eva Baker

As you read this collection of stories you will hear from Martha, as she speaks to her daughter, and Eva, as she shares her childhood memories for her children. You will experience the fear, struggle, confusion, and trauma thrust upon them by the war as they survive as refugees in their beloved country. Life as they knew it is gone forever.

Margaret Hanson

(Eva’s daughter)

This is Martha’s note that appeared on the cover of her journal. It’s written in the old German script.

Translated it says:

"Partial documentary

of my life

in Schlesien

during the war time

and expulsion

from my homeland"

- Martha

Prussia Silesia

Silesia (/sᵻˈlɛzjə/; Polish: Śląsk [ɕlɔ̃sk]; German: Schlesien German pronunciation: [ʃleːziːɛn]; Silesian German: Schläsing; Czech: Slezsko; Silesian: Ślůnsk [ɕlonsk]; Latin: Silesia) is a region of Central Europe now located mostly in Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany.

Wikipedia | Silesia

After the WW11 ended in 1945, virtually all of Schlesien became Silesia, Polish. Only a very small tip of Silesia remained German. 3,588,000 Germans in Silesia either fled or were expelled from 3,934 settlements; of which 435,000 lost their lives.

German Tragedy of Destiny

(Flight and Expulsion- Silesia)

Chapter One

Legend and Truth: Waldenburg

MARTHA

The town of Waldenburg, in Schlesien, is where I was born. It was given to the Polish people at the end of World War II and the families that lived there were without a homeland. For the Poles, Schlesien was a spoil of war.

THE LEGEND

In the 12th century a noble knight got lost in the large forest of Schlesien. He became separated from his hunting friends and was missing for many days. He and his horse became very hungry and thirsty. He lost all his strength and in his despair he prayed to God promising that if someone found him, he would erect a chapel. The miracle happened. He found water and, after many days of searching, his hunting friends found him.

A chapel was built where the spring bubbled. Around the little chapel, many years later, settlers had arrived and it became the town Waldenburg. My father was an altar boy when he was in school. His mother was a strict Catholic and she went every day to church. It was an honor when her son became an altar boy even though his father came from a poor family. Father told us about the spring that was still running during his childhood.

The City of Waldenburg prior to 1945.

The altar was built over the spring. Behind the altar you could see the spring. I remember, it was about 1921, when I was a schoolgirl, I ran behind the altar but the spring had dried up.

The Marienkapelle chapel still stands today. Across from it is the Lutheran church. In 1979 I was in Waldenburg and the Marienkapelle was burnt, black as the night. In 1986 a few people from our Schlesien Club went to Waldenburg and took pictures of the chapel. The Poles rebuilt the beautiful chapel. Tears ran down my cheeks when I saw the picture.

THE TRUTH

Schlesien was German for 700 years until the end of the Second World War. Prior to that it was part of Austria and belonged to Marie Theresa, Empress of Austria. But Schlesien was lost in the battle against Germany’s Friedrich the Great. He was called the Soldier King or The Old Fritz. The Empress of Austria cried a lot over the loss of Schlesien. It was a rich land that supported itself and also sent food to different cities. Old Fritz sent his best and closest officers to Schlesien — that was the highest honor.

It was early morning in 1939 when Hitler started the war with Poland. Poland was a small land and was not ready for war and was overrun by Hitler. It was the Blitzkrieg (a sudden attack that is intended to surprise and quickly defeat the enemy involving aircraft and forces on the ground).

The Second World War was murderous. Millions of people died. Towns sank in dumps and ashes.

Hitler was a maniac for killing — therefore he led the German soldiers to occupy Frankreich (France). Hitler was so crazy that he ordered his generals into battle along