One bullet for me

By Magdalene Krüger Klinksiek

Subjects: Biography, German Personal narratives, Personal narratives, German, Germans, World War, 1939-1945, History

Description: Danzig, 1939, the opening scene for World War II. Twelve-year-old Magdalene is caught in the midst of devastation and turmoil. "Get away from the train!" someone shouted. "It's fighter planes!" Everyone pushed in panic toward the train exit and ran over the rough, plowed field toward some bushes for cover. Before we could get there the fighter planes returned, just a few yards above the ground, it seemed, racing toward us. "Get down!" someone yelled. We threw ourselves onto the field. I looked up and could clearly see the pilot and the firing machine guns. Dirt flew around and over us. Some people screamed. Edith tried in panic to get up again, but I held on to her leg. With urgent calmness I said, "Let's sing, Edith. Let's die together." I knew if God wanted us to come home, I was ready to go. Danger and last-minute escapes stalked Magdalene throughout the war in Germany. Even the post-war years were filled with tension, uncertainty and the threat of starvation, but God was there! - Back cover.