Born In the Shadow of the Third Reich

As Fritz grew up in pre-World War II Germany, he thrived as his father’s opera career took them from city to city. In 1940 when his father obtained work in Czechoslovakia, Fritz had no idea of what his destiny held—only that when the air raid sirens sounded he knew he must head for shelter.

In his compelling memoir, Fritz details how his peaceful childhood was interrupted by the chaos of World War II as bombs exploded, searchlights scanned the skies, and at age ten, he was expected to sign up for the Hitler Youth. As he moved from playing in the Youth’s marching band to designing airplanes to transporting refugees, Fritz eventually became an officer who had to escape numerous Russian POW camps and never could have imagined that one day, he would immigrate to America and create a new life.

Born in the Shadow of the Third Reich shares a fascinating glimpse into World War II through the eyes of a boy determined to survive.