Helmets and Bonnets: The Blending of Two Cultures

By Annis Aumann

This book is about two families who lived an ocean apart. One family lived in Germany. The book tells how their daily lives were affected under the Nazis and the Communists. It tells about a boy named Rolf growing up with an optimistic attitude. His dream was to go to the United States where he could be what he wanted and to live in freedom.

The other family lived in Midwest, USA. The book shows how the family, during the era of FDR, was affected by the Depression. A girl named Lizzy who was born in the 1940’s, was brought up to believe in God. Lizzy had enough faith to believe God would bring her a special man one day.

Rolf escaped East Germany and lived in West Germany until he came to the United States. He met Lizzy and they fell in love. Three years later, they married and started a family. Rolf and Lizzy's relationship was perfected into a sweet love. Eight years after he escaped East Germany, Rolf's life was blessed in a way he had never known.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543911251

Book preview

Aumann

Chapter 1

Nazis Not Welcome

As a child, Rolf knew to be very careful about what he said. The only safe place for him to talk was with family behind closed doors. The Nazi Party was already in place when Hitler came to power in 1933 and many people concealed their disapproval of the new government. They lied about what they believed and Rolf learned the same deceitful path at a very early age. For him to comment on anything political or ask questions, while away from home, would expose the views of his family and jeopardize their personal safety and security.

Out of fear, many joined the Nazi Party. To impress the Nazi leader in their area, some reported things contrary to governmental politics and rules, even reporting those who were not yet members of the Nazi Party. Amateur spies infiltrated every venue, betraying lifelong friendships and family members to support the belligerent and oppressive rising Dictator.

As Rolf looked back over his life, he realized his mother had considerable influence on his courage and faith. He remembered her promise that he could accomplish anything he pursued. He never doubted his mother’s love. It was her contagious spirit that brought him through some very hectic and dangerous situations during and after World War II, eventually leading him to freedom. Even as a small boy, his goal was to reach the American side in West Germany. He wanted to experience freedom of expression and to have a good life without fear. He wanted this for his family also. Rolf was blessed with an abundance of optimism and cunning. It gave him the clarity and confidence to do what was needed.

His father wasn’t around much during the war, so his persistence came from his mother’s lust for a happy life, her encouragement and striving for excellence for her family. She reached beyond her own strength just to keep her family safe.

As a master in his field, Rolf’s grandfather Johannes Schmidt, worked in the steel mill after World War I. He provided a very pleasant life for his family in a small village called Rueckenwaldau. Rolf’s mother, Helga, was born to Johannes and his wife in 1912. She was mischievous and loved annoying her older sister, Hannelora. As a teenager, she was very sociable and prankish. Because of her contagious laughter and flirtatious behavior, she was invited to a lot of dances in the small village. Her sister was a realist and not amused with Helga’s shenanigans, even though her father delighted in them. She was definitely papa’s little Helga and he encouraged her every whim.

Helga had a slight astigmatism causing one of her eyes to turn inward. Even so, it didn’t seem to hinder having fun. The confidence she had in her own beauty was evident to everyone who knew her. The other young ladies were envious of her wit, contentment, and capacity to giggle at anything. Obviously, the young men were curious about her and were also charmed by her personality.

Helga designed and made her own party dresses. She liked to create dresses appealing to the young men. Her inclination to flirt often found her in vulnerable situations, and she had to use her wit to get free.

Within a few minutes of arriving at a party, Helga’s dance card was completely filled. She teased everyone who signed it by promising they could walk her home. She knew all along, as soon as the last dance ended, she would escape with her cousin, Kurt. Excusing herself to speak privately with the hostess, she and Kurt would disappear into the night. Everyone wondered where she had gone and with what lucky guy. She loved this game and played it often. It became a challenge to catch her before she could get away, and no one ever tired of it.

Helga completed an eighth grade education. She learned to manage a household with skills in sewing, handwork, cooking, basic math and spelling. As was often the custom, she had already embroidered the linens for her future home and began designing her wedding dress. Her first job, in Dresden, was in a paper goods store owned and operated by her Aunt Hilda. The store had a small back room set aside for books that were loaned to it’s clientele.

After a time, friends of her family introduced her to a military officer. His wife needed help in their home with the cooking and cleaning, and someone to do the grocery shopping. Helga traveled to Dresden to reside in the officer’s home as the maid. She worked five days a week and then returned home for the weekend.

One Friday, in the early spring of 1932, she went shopping before returning home. As she stood on the corner waiting for the streetcar, she was suddenly aware of a man standing beside her. She could tell by his uniform that he was with the regular Army. He spoke first, Good day, as he clicked his heels and bowed with a nod of his head. She looked up at him and tingled from head to toe in a way she had never felt. She blushed and glanced to the side, but his voice drew her eyes back to his. She felt like he was sensing who she was through her eyes. For Helga, it was love at first sight. Continuing to gaze into her eyes, he said, If you are going to Charlotte Plaza, I would like to accompany you.

I would like that.

As they got on the street car, they introduced themselves. Helga really wanted to know Erik better. She had to put aside the urge to tease and run. She was so perplexed that she let him carry the conversation. When they arrived at Charlotte Plaza, they left the streetcar and Helga thought she would never see him again...that it had been just another flirtatious encounter. But, as they started to say goodnight, Erik thought to himself, This can’t be the last time I see her.

Helga was also thinking, I really want to know more about him.

To her surprise, Erik asked, May I help you with the shopping and see you home?

Helga was delighted and said, Yes, but Rueckenwaldau is quite a distance for you.

Realizing that getting to know her far exceeded any notion of distance, he replied, I would very much like to ride with you.

They finished shopping, and talked about things they liked to do on the way back to Helga’s home. Erik asked, If I were to come back next weekend, would you be able to show me around town?

Yes, Helga replied. I’ll show you some of my favorite places. We can go to the town plaza, the dance hall and the church. We can also stop at the cafe and have a piece of cake and drink a cup of coffee.

Since it was evening, Erik didn’t linger, but took the next bus back to Dresden. He reflected on the whole experience and anxiously anticipated the next time they would be together.

Helga shared a room with her sister. She sat on her sister’s bed and said, Hannalora, wake up! I met someone. He’s so handsome! He’s coming to see me next weekend.

Go to bed, Helga! I want to sleep! We can talk tomorrow.

Helga found herself easily distracted that weekend and daydreamed of seeing Erik.

Erik Neumann was a Sergeant Major in the Army and stationed in Dresden as a map maker for the artillery. He had liberty on the weekends, so they spent all of them together. Erik didn’t like going to restaurants or spending money, because he was very thrifty. So, most of their time was spent at Helga’s home. Erik was comfortable with her family. He loved the serenity of the village and the sweetness of Helga by his side. Sitting together under the trees, enjoying the summer breeze, Erik looked at her and said, It’s so peaceful here and it feels so natural being with you. I’m looking forward to coming back again and again.

You couldn’t make me any happier, Erik.

She considered every moment with him to be very special. She was twenty years old and he was twenty-seven. It didn’t take him long to discover this was the girl with whom he wanted to share the rest of his life. After a short time, he asked for her hand in marriage.

What an exciting time! There were only a couple of months to plan the wedding and send out invitations. Helga’s father acquired the rest of her dowry. He generously provided furniture, fine porcelain, breakfast service, crystal, silverware and anything else she might want, including a Meissner figurine of very fine porcelain. Her mother and sister took care of the wedding plans while Helga focused on finishing her wedding dress.

It was customary on the day before the wedding for friends, relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances to show up at the house of the bride-to-be, bringing porcelain and fine china to break in front of the door. Oh look, Papa! said Helga. No glass was broken. We will have good luck for the rest of our lives. The amount of breakage demonstrated how much everyone loved Helga.

Erik’s father and stepmother arrived in time to see all the broken dishes. Erik said, Hello, Dad, shaking his hand, It’s good to see you again.

At the end of the day, it took two truckloads to carry all the broken dishes away. His father proclaimed, My God, I think we will have a good time, Erik! I approve of your Helga.

Erik’s father, Heinrich, was an older man when he took a wife who would become Erik’s mother. Emilie’s father arranged for her to marry Herr Neumann, but she was much younger and was in love with a younger man. However, she moved to Bärenstein to marry Herr Neumann in 1903. Erik was born in 1904. Emilie never learned to love her husband, but she adored her baby. Because she never stopped pining for the one she loved, Herr Neumann, in his jealousy, had her committed to an asylum. Then he divorced her and married another woman. Erik was told that his mother had died when he was a small boy. But in reality, she died when he was a young man.

Erik and his stepmother, Dorothea, never got along because she favored her own children. He was often in trouble, accused of the bad deeds done by his half brothers, and beaten by his father. Erik left home as soon as he could and had not seen his father for several years. Because of his father’s approval of Helga, Erik had a change of heart and accepted his father back into his life.

On the wedding day, family started arriving in the early afternoon. When Helga was ready, she came downstairs to join the others, and her husband-to-be. Standing tall with his hands behind his back, one foot placed a little more forward of the other, Erik took a deep breath and sighed while he gazed at her. She was so stunning! For a moment, he was numb with emotion. As Helga walked down the stairs, everyone commented on her beauty. Erik smiled at her, reached out his hand and she placed hers in his. He said, Let’s go get married!

The church was just a few blocks from the house, so they walked. It was truly a beautiful day in June, so Erik, Helga, and the rest of the wedding party led the procession of guests down the street. More guests joined on the way, and by the time they arrived at the church it looked like a long train of pure joy. What