My Life in the Third Reich
- Nightmares and Consequences
World War 2 True Story by Gisela Cooper
[Foreword - ©1999 Gisela Cooper - All Rights Reserved]
Let me begin by explaining why I am writing the story of my life. When we behold Europe today,
peaceful, affluent, increasingly integrated economically and politically, and on the threshold
of even greater union, it is sobering to reflect, that even in our lifetime, Europe was a very
different place. Those who have lived for 70 years or more, have witnessed stirring times and
perhaps the most turbulent, violent and destructive in all Europe's long history. Memories of the
World Wars and Europeans killing each other, especially the Second World War are kept alive by an
endless succession of films, documentaries and books.
In Britain, which was on the winning side, the motive is partly nostalgic and partly patriotic,
a reluctance, perhaps, to forget episodes which were full of heroic achievements when the cause
of righteousness triumphed. For the Germans, the memory of the Third Reich is mostly painful;
and coming to terms with recent history has been traumatic. On both sides thousands of quite
innocent people were caught up in these events and their lives tragically terminated or
irrevocably uprooted. I find myself in a central position in these events. I was born a German,
lived in Germany for the first 30 years of my life, then came to Britain where I was obliged to
begin my life over again.
I had many kind letters from people who have read it. Our local paper gave a page featuring
the story; and I have also been interviewed by our Bristol Radio Station. In a way I am
quite proud really that I have achieved to write it and have it published.
My main aim is to tell about the true happenings at that time, especially in the years
from 1933 to 45.
Read an excerpt.
Gisela Cooper
©1999 Gisela Cooper - All Rights Reserved
(London: Veritas Foundation Publication Centre, 1999).
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Photo of my darling grand daughter Lynda.