A Letter from Frank. Stephen J. Colombo

joining the Nazi party in Leitmeritz in 1939, Frank’s father had always worn a Nazi party pin on his lapel. But during a family vacation to Freistadt in 1940, Frank noticed it was missing.

      Frank asked, “Where is your Party pin?”

      Without saying anything, Frank’s father turned over the lapel of his jacket to reveal pin.

      “While in the Beskydy Mountains of our ancestors,” his father explained, “it is only important we be ourselves, not Party members.”

      “You are such a cheater!” Frank said accusingly.

      On May 11, 1940, German newspapers reported the opening of the offensive by German Army West through neutral countries Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The Nazis called it a preventive strike, needed because Britain and France were planning to attack Germany through those countries. In coming weeks, the military seemed nearly indestructible. The victories were rapid and the setbacks few.

      Daily reports through May and June told of success after success. May 14 — Liege falls, German paratroopers in Rotterdam. May 15 — Holland capitulates. May 18 — German troops enter Brussels. May 19 — German Army West advances into the heart of France, Antwerp falls. May 20 — 110,000 prisoners taken. May 28 — Dunkirk in flames, Paris airport bombarded. May 29 — Half a million Belgian soldiers surrender. May 31 — Great air attacks on British troops fleeing Dunkirk. June 4 — 330,000 prisoners taken at Flanders. June 5 — Over 1.2 million prisoners taken; weapons and materiel for 80 divisions captured. June 6 — Dunkirk falls, 40,000 prisoners taken. June 11 — Italy joins the war on the side of Germany against England and France. June 18 — France is finished. Petain requests peace. June 22 — France capitulates.

      A message issued by Hitler to German newspapers, published on June 25, 1940, reads:

      German people! Your soldiers have in just under six weeks fought an heroic battle in the west against a brave enemy, which has now reached an end. Their deeds will go down in history as the greatest victory of all time. We thank God for this victory. The flags will fly throughout the Reich for ten days and the church bells will ring for seven days. Signed Adolf Hitler.

      The newspapers also described the fate of some found guilty of listening to enemy radio reports. The newspaper Rheinische Landeszeitung in Düsseldorf[3] reported:

      From Berlin 28th June 1940 comes the following report:

      In recent days more radio criminals have been charged by the courts for listening to enemy propaganda and passing it on to others.

      Andreas Kottke was convicted of listening to enemy hate-news and passing it on. He was given four years prison and four years loss of honour.

      In Magdeburg, Otto Schulze was sentenced to five years prison and ten years loss of honour. Schulze listened to the enemy radio and passed on hate propaganda at least ten times between October 1939 and January 1940.

      Otto Watzrodt talked his work colleagues into listening to foreign broadcasts, which the supervisor then allowed them to do. All these criminals received tough sentences.

      These traitors listened to and passed on the lies broadcast by our enemy: by committing this crime, they destroy the spirit and morale of the whole German people! There is only one thing to do with such traitors, and that is to make them a head shorter! Give these creatures the death penalty.

      As 1940 drew to a close, Frank readied himself for the last semester of high school. On turning eighteen after graduation, he would enter compulsory military training. Beyond that, his mother had plans for him to attend university. He was young, healthy, and like most boys at seventeen, felt indestructible. He was anxious to begin the next phase of his life. However, Frank had no way of knowing how chaotic and difficult the next few years would be.