My History 

I had done an interview with my Oma to learn more a lot about World War II. Before this interview I had not been exposed in detail to all the difficulties and hardships of the war. I also did not know many of these parts of my Oma’s life. We learn so much about European history in school that I thought this would be a great way to connect the two together. A topic is always more interesting when you hear a real experience and this interview opened my eyes to the impact Hitler had on people. We spend so much time looking at what he did and how he did it; I find teachers often forget to look at how it impacted others and changed the future.

My Grandma, Heidi Jakob, was kind enough do to a phone interview with me and tell me about her experience as war child. This interview was eye opening to me. It was hard to believe that my Oma actually experienced some of the things that she did– things that we only hear about and rarely consider the reality of.

I can not imagine the constant worry of a siren going off and the need to hide in a bomb shelter– the mere thought brings a shiver down my spine. The need to be tested for being Jewish would also be extremely intimidating; the wait to get results, and just knowing the consequences if your test came out positive would be devastating. A point that was brought to my attention by mother, was that my family does not truly know whether or not we have Jewish back round. Apparently, my Opa’s grandfather worked in a high position for Hitler and thus received special treatment. He got out of doing many things; therefore, we can’t be certain my Opa’s grandfathers’s tests came out positive or negative because Hitler did not want to lose him as a worker. This amazed me. It really goes to show how Hitler’s power enabled him to make his own rules, and we still see this today… Trump?

My Grandma’s experience travelling to Canada was quite dramatic. She was an eighteen year old girl in a totally new country; she didn’t know the language or her whereabouts– I can’t imagine what it was like for her. I can relate to the feeling of minority and unknown from my travels, but my circumstances were not the same: I wasn’t running from a Nazi leader. My Oma admitted that she felt out of place and very uncomfortable when she came to Canada; for example, she said she didn’t eat for two days because she didn’t know where the meal ticket was; she was too scared to ask and didn’t know how because she didn’t know English.

I admire my Oma and Opa’s childhood and find it very interesting. After doing this interview I feel like I know a lot more about my family back round; I feel more connected by knowing these stories and having heard these real experiences. My eyes have been opened and I have been exposed to more of the world’s history.

 

Questions & Answers From My Oma:

 

  • What happened to the children during the war?

They were like any other person. When they heard sirens they went to the shelters to keep safe from the bombs.

  • Did you have to get tested to see if you were Jewish?

No, I was only 2 years of age at the time and because I was so young I don’t remember much.

  • When did you come to Canada, and how old were you?

It was 1958, and I was 18 years old, I was going to Edmonton to see Otto, because we were engaged and he had already come over seas and was living there.

  • Where did you and Opa meet?

At a mountain resort called, Konigswinter Mountain on May 1 1957. It was a holiday in Germany, much like Labor Day.

  • What did Opa’s dad do as a living?

He was a carpenter for a long time, but when the war started he started working on the railroads. He was also a Nazi Soldier.

  • Did Opa have to get tested to see if he was Jewish?

Yes he did, the tests came out negative.

  • How did you get to Canada?

I took a boat from Germany to Canada, and then a train across Canada to Edmonton.

  • What was it like travelling across Canada not knowing any English?

Very difficult because I couldn’t understand anything anyone was saying, so I didn’t eat for two days on the train ride because I didn’t understand that the meal ticket was on my train ticket.

  • What did you do when you got to Canada?

I went to typing school and then taught typing and shorthand, which is like note taking to secretaries.

I also decided to have no German friends so I could learn English faster, since I was teased at work for mispronouncing words.