Newborn Nazi

by Rhoda D'Ettore

  Newborn Nazi

  by

  Rhoda D'Ettore

  Rhoda D'Ettore © Copyright 2014

  The right of Rhoda D'Ettore to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Design, and Patents Act of 1988.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No reproduction, copy, or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission in accordance with the Copyright Act of 1956 (amended).

  Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable for criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

  The Fuehrer Announces Youth Organization Leader

  June 13, 1933

  Berlin– In a speech today, the Fuehrer announced the promotion of Baldur von Schirach to the position of Youth Leader of Germany.

  The Fuehrer stated, “A new era in the youth organization is taking place. As leader, Schirach will consolidate all the youth organizations into one efficiently run machine. The new organization will promote education as well as national pride. It will also endorse physical fitness to promote health, endurance, and strength.”

  The Fuehrer went on to state that Baldur von Schirach intends to emphasize not only leadership skills, but technical and trade training as well.

  All children will be broken into groups by gender and age. Once they graduate, they will become productive members of the Nazi Party and our future leaders.

  Chapter 1

  1934 – Germany

  “You cannot take him. He is a child.” Hedwig screamed as she shielded her younger brother from the guard. “Get out of my house now, you brutes.”

  The shorter of the two uniformed men pulled her aside, “Be careful, Fraulein. We have our orders, and he is coming with us.” The soldier's facial expression changed from one of anger to one of annoyance. “It is the law for all children to be taken to Berlin and registered with the Hitler Youth. You will comply with the law.”

  Lieutenant Reinhard carried a rifle slung over his shoulder and used his eyes to threaten. Although shorter than the other soldier, he was somehow more intimidating. Both officers were at least six feet tall, with blond hair and blue eyes, looking like statues of Greek gods. They could pass for brothers, yet their demeanor portrayed them as opposites.

  Edmund pushed from behind his older sister, “I want to go, please, I want to go. All my friends are joining, and I want to go.”

  Edmund stood with his back to the two men, determined to do his part for the Fatherland. Having witnessed the Fuehrer's speeches, Edmund envied the fellowship the Nazi Party provided. He attended the parades of the youth organization, but he wanted to participate. He wanted to experience a sense of belonging. Edmund yearned to be a part of something special, and he needed his sister to understand.

  With a furrowed brow and teary eyes, the nineteen year old Hedwig looked at her brother's excitement. “Edmund, you are not old enough to understand the impact of recent events. This is not a good thing, and it is not for you.”

  “Sister, at fourteen years old, I am almost a man and not much younger than you. You will see, I will become a great soldier and make you proud.”

  That is what scares me, Hedwig thought.

  The taller soldier, Lieutenant Gottlieb, dressed in his crisp uniform tousled Edmund's blond hair. He appeared powerful with his shiny leather boots, black uniform and Nazi armband. Yet somehow he gave an appearance of warmth, unlike his threatening partner.

  Determined, Hedwig stepped between Edmund and the soldier. She looked deep into his eyes, thinking that in a different situation she may have found him attractive. Through gnashed teeth, she said, “You can't take him.”

  Lieutenant Reinhard smacked Hedwig across the face while grunting in anger. Her head flung, hitting the wall as she reached for the spot just below her eye. Pain shot through her cheek making it throb at once. Rubbing it did not help the pain dissipate faster.

  Edmund's eyes widened because he had never before seen anyone strike his sister. Her husband was a gentle, loving man who would never do such a thing.

  “I warned you Fraulein, and I will not warn you again. We do not need your permission, so decide how you want this day to end.” His eyes bulged with rage, and the veins in his neck flashed as he spoke.

  Still rubbing her cheek, Hedwig looked from the soldiers to her brother and back again.

  “How old are you Fraulein? Perhaps you should be joining our youth organization as well. We now have a female section.”

  Edmund interrupted, “She's nineteen, and she got married last year.”

  Shocked at Edmund's lack of concern for her and his eagerness to join this group, Hedwig stood in silence. She thought about what she could do to make them leave. At that moment, a figure appeared in the window.

  The front door opened as Hedwig pushed through the two soldiers, wrapping her arms around the man who entered. “Fritz. Please Fritz, help me. They came for Edmund, but you can't let them take him away. He is all I have of my family.”

  As Fritz appraised the situation, he extended his hand to the soldiers, “Guten tag. I am Herr Schultz. Welcome to our home. You upset my wife, and I hope we can settle this matter.” Fritz Schultz was much older than the rest of the people in the room. His hair showed signs of gray, and his wrinkled skin conveyed his years.

  Lieutenant Reinhard stepped forward, pushing Fritz's hand away. “This matter is already settled. The boy is coming with us. It is the law.”

  From behind her husband, Hedwig begged. “Please. Please don't remove him from our home.”

  Inspired by his wife's pleas, Fritz pulled his wallet from his pocket. “I do not possess much money. The economy has ruined my business. But I will donate all I can to your organization if you allow the child to remain here for a little longer. A few months perhaps?”

  Fritz started counting bills, but the butt of a rifle came crashing across his chin. “We are not criminals. You cannot bribe us. We are sworn to protect the Fatherland, and to protect the future of Germany.”

  Lieutenant Gottlieb tried to intervene. “That is not necessary,” he said as he extended his hand to Fritz, helping him from the ground.

  The annoyed Lieutenant Reinhard looked at his partner, “We do not have time for this, and you are displaying weakness. I shall report this.”

  Lieutenant Gottlieb looked at Fritz, “I am sorry you feel we disrespected your home and family. We have orders, and we must take the boy. He will be safe, and he will have the best training and education. I promise you that.”

  Gottlieb extended his hand again, this time to Edmund. “Come, Geiger. We must go.” They walked toward the door, Edmund glanced back once.

  Hedwig grabbed Edmund's arm, “NO. I won't let you go. I won't.” Lieutenant Gottlieb ushered Edmund through the door and down the walkway.

  A rifle butt crashed into Hedwig's stomach, casting her to the ground. Fritz raced to his wife to examine her for injuries. He yelled, “Monster. What kind of monster strikes a woman? Protecting the future of Germany? What nonsense.”

  The rifle slammed against Fritz's temple, flinging him into the wall. His body slumped down the wall to the floor. Hedwig crawled to Fritz, sobbing for her husband.

  “Why?” she screamed. “You can't do this, I won't let you do this.”

  Lieutenant Reinhard cast a smug look, “Yes. I can. I can do lots of things. You would do well to remember this day, Frau Schultz.” He pulled the trigger, exploding Fritz's forehead in all directions.

  Brain matter splattered all over Hedwig's face and shoulders. Gasping for breath, she held her dead husband. “Why? Why? Oh dear God, why?”

  Reinhard pulled out a cigarette and lit the end. The officer stated, “Because you told me I co
uldn't--that is why.” His gorgeous face expressed only cruelty. Reinhard knelt down on the floor, took a long drag of his cigarette, then blew the smoke in her direction. His eyes examined her facial features, taking in her beauty.

  “You are a very attractive woman. Perhaps I shall pay you a social visit in the near future. Now that you are widowed, you will be in need of a suitable husband.” He stood and walked toward the door without looking back on the dead man or his distraught wife.

  Hedwig reached for the closest object to her and threw a shoe at the soldier. It hit the back of his head causing him to lose the cigarette from his mouth.

  Lieutenant Reinhard turned and aimed the rifle at her while gazing into her eyes. Hedwig's chest heaved as perspiration dripped down her face, mixing with her stream of tears. She shook with fear in that endless moment.

  “Go ahead. Shoot me. You killed my husband and took my brother. There is nothing more you can do to me.”

  Reinhard did not blink and said in a flat tone, “Fraulein--it is Fraulein now. There is much more I can do.”

  A shiver scurried down Hedwig's back. She clutched her dead husband tighter, as if he could protect her.

  “I will grant you a week of mourning for your husband. But I will return to claim my prize. I do suggest you learn some manners by that time. Of course, it might be great fun to teach you appropriate behavior.” Reinhard looked over Fritz's dead face. “Stop crying. He was too old for you anyway.”

  The Lieutenant's heels clicked on the floor as he approached the front door. Hedwig collapsed, crying on the corpse of her husband.

  Outside the officer barked, “Search the house. From top to bottom. I want anything suspicious brought to me. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Lieutenant.” A swarm of soldiers flooded the house, tearing everything from the walls. Pots clanged. Ceramic and glass objects shattered on the floor.

  Three hours later, Hedwig still held her husband when she heard the house go silent. One man said, “Inform Lieutenant Reinhard we found nothing in the search, sir.” Finally, she was alone.

  Chapter 2

  Edmund and Lieutenant Gottlieb had walked quite a distance from the house by the time Fritz's execution took place. Edmund, unaware of the happenings, happily marched by the side of the Lieutenant.

  Groups of neighborhood children crowded into a waiting bus. The driver disembarked and shouted to them, “Heil Hitler.” His right arm raised high in the air as a salute.

  “Heil Hitler. This is Edmund Geiger,” Gottlieb informed the driver.

  The bus driver looked down at the boy and said, “Heil Hitler, Edmund.” The older man looked at his clipboard for the name to cross off the list.

  Edmund muttered, “Heil Hitler.” I wonder how long Hedwig will be mad at me for leaving, Edmund thought.

  Lieutenant Reinhard approached as Edmund boarded the bus. Gottlieb turned to his partner as Edmund took a seat in the back.

  “Johann, your demonstration of power was not necessary. You need to control your temper. You would be wise to appeal to these people's sense of duty and honor rather than resort to intimidation tactics.”

  “Old friend, it is the intimidation tactics for which I enlisted. Oh the fun.” Johann's bright smile beamed as the sun danced across his golden hair. He patted his friend on the shoulder and offered him a cigarette.

  Gustav declined the offer. “It is terrifying how you can be so cold and callous one minute and jovial the next.”

  Johann's smile remained as he nodded toward the bus, “What are we going to tell the kid?”

  Gustav Gottlieb questioned, “I assume you used extreme prejudice while conducting our business?”

  “Let's say I have a date with a beautiful Fraulein next week,” Johann chuckled. He could see the disapproval on his friend's face. “Gustav, you have to lighten up.”

  Gustav rolled his eyes. “Remember to stay away from my sister.”

  Johann lit another cigarette as soon as his first burned too low. “That will not be a problem. I have seen your sister. Hideous.” He laughed.

  Gustav pushed his colleague and said, “Haven't you read any of the health magazines? They say cigarettes cause illness. The Seventh Day Adventists are claiming the devil invented tobacco, and Satan is using the Jews to sell it. The Fuehrer himself is opposed to smoking.”

  With his stick bouncing quickly as he spoke, “Well, praise be to Satan.” He let out a puff and promised, “I'll quit when the Fuehrer commands it.”

  Lieutenant Gustav Gottlieb looked at Edmund. He sat next to the window, laughing with the other children. “I'll have a letter written from his sister. It will explain the husband's death. I'll say the old man contracted some sort of disease.”

  “Yeah, a Jewish disease like Von Willebrand.”

  Confused, Gustav looked at his friend with a wrinkled brow.

  “You remember? That guy a few years back who wrote about the bleeding disease? It's like hemophilia. When I shot the old man in the house, he bled out uncontrollably.” He laughed at his own joke.

  His friend shot him a look of disgust.

  “Come on, buddy. I'm just having fun.” Johann took another puff of his cigarette. “Tell him the dead guy acquired a Jewish disease. The kid will hate both him and the sister so much, he'll never come back.”

  Gustav hated the idea, but he knew it was true. He spent his own adolescent years in the Hitler Youth, long before it consolidated into one organization. His teen years passed by while marching in the streets trying to get the Nazi Party elected into power. It worked. All the Nazi propaganda worked. When it did not work, the high ranking party members changed the rhetoric to promote the same message.

  Now Gustav had concerns. He used to believe the Nazis were going to propel Germany into a world superpower. However, what he saw in reality was an army of people becoming exactly like Lieutenant Johann Reinhard. It scared him.

  Gustav and Johann were childhood friends. They attended school together and joined Nazi youth group at the same time. Together they marched 400 miles to Munich to honor Hitler prior to his election, and they loved it.

  Somewhere along the line, Gustav felt alienated from the group. Most of the members were molded to think like Johann. However, Gustav started to look at them differently. He even pitied them for becoming mindless followers who regurgitated the venom taught by anti-Semitic officers.

  The bus pulled away as the smiling, laughing children bounced around inside. Gustav wondered if Edmund would remain his own person. If he would have the resolve to combat the brainwashing techniques he would soon face.

  Johann shook Gustav's shoulder, “Hello? My friend. Are you listening?”

  Gustav brushed away the thoughts of Edmund, then turned to his friend. “What? What did you say?”

  “I said it's time to eat and find some pretty Frauleins. We've had a long day rounding up the future generation of Nazis.”

  “How can you think of food? You slaughtered a guy moments ago for protecting his family. He only tried to keep his wife happy.”

  “Gustav, you are beginning to worry me. Keep up this talk and I shall report you.” He stared long and hard at his friend, then turned on his heels and strolled away.

  A shiver traveled down Gustav's spine. Although his friends would joke on occasion with each other, threatening with the “I'll report you” line, none ever meant it. As his friend's words hung in the air, he wondered if he needed to keep quiet from then on. Gustav stared at his partner's back as he continued walking further away.

  Without turning around, Johann shouted, “Gustav my friend, it is time to go home. Enjoy life a bit.”

  “You are evil my friend. Be careful someone does not destroy you as you destroy those around you,” Gustav said in a low whisper, then began walking in the opposite direction.

  Chapter 3

  Dressed in black with a long veil covering her face, Hedwig clutched her friend's arm. Heidi loved Hedwig and wanted to soothe her friend's pain. “Schatzi
, we need to go. The service ended over an hour ago. Being here isn't helping you.”

  Heidi's average height and golden hair camouflaged her in with the German crowds. Her flawless porcelain complexion, highlighted by rosy cheeks and lips, gave her a soft caring aura.

  Hedwig stared into the distance while standing over her husband's grave. Heidi waved her hand in front of Hedwig's face, “Schatzi? Hedwig, are you listening to me?”

  Hedwig let out a deep sigh and turned to her friend. “I need to contact my brothers in America to inform them about Edmund and Fritz. The funeral arrangements preoccupied me. Jacob and Alois live in a completely different world than we do. I am not sure they will even comprehend what transpired.”

  Heidi embraced her friend and replied, “I understand, honey. Your family has suffered such a great loss over the last few years.”

  The two women strode away from the grave, walking side by side while linking arms. “My brothers still blame themselves for my parents' deaths. Jacob is a little more reasonable, but Alois carries guilt for sending them money to travel.”

  “How long ago did it happen? Three years?” asked Heidi.

  “Yes, three years.”

  “Seems like yesterday. Your mother never liked trains so it shocked me your parents went at all. Was it your grandfather they were going to visit?”

  “Yes, my Opa. He refused to come stay with us after my grandmother died. When he became ill, my mother insisted my parents go visit him. She convinced him to return with them. But....” Her eyes cast themselves down to the ground.

  “But...the train derailed. Thank the Lord you and Edmund didn't go with them.”

  Hedwig thought, I wonder if it would have been better if we had perished with our family. Things seem so hopeless now.

  The widow cringed at the concept of facing life alone, and her thoughts drifted to Edmund.

  Heidi asked, “When was the last time you saw your brothers?”