Local author and former Hitler Youth to speak of World War II experiences
NORWICH – Ludwig Wilhelm Knapp, Greene resident and author of “Growing Up Under Hitler: I Was There,” was all of ten years old when recruited into the Hitler Youth program, one of many World War II-era experiences he will share at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the First Baptist Church, West Park Place.
As part of the Chenango County Historical Society’s series of monthly historical programs, Knapp’s presentation will focus on his childhood in Nazi Germany and subsequent immigration to America and enlistment in the United States Army.
“At the age of ten, it was compulsory at that time that you join the Hitler Youth, so that’s what I did,” said Knapp, who arrived in America in 1954, nearly a decade after the Japanese surrender signaled an end to World War II. “I was ten years old and fortunately, for the kids at that time, it was mostly like an adventure.”
At the age of 14, the young Hitler Youth was digging trenches for a retreating German army.
Following the war, Knapp, who had rejected the Nazi teachings, said he “didn’t think too much” of his time with the paramilitary organization until he reached the United States and “thought it through and what it could have led to” if history had taken another path.
At the age of 61, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Knapp said he decided it was time to revisit his homeland, plagued by nightmares of his experiences with the Hitler Youth.
He returned to the schoolhouse where he’d lived for the first two years as a member of the group, an experience he said he found “quite emotional,” and later dreamt of his Hitler Youth leaders’ inability to harm him any longer.
“That was the last time I had any nightmares,” he added.
Years later, Knapp said co-workers of his, whom he’d often regaled with tales of his World War II experiences, told him he should write a book. He was also urged by his daughter-in-law, who said the book should be written “before I lost my marbles,” stated Knapp.
Since then, he’s given nearly 100 presentations, both individually and as a speaker for the State of New Jersey Department of Humanity between the years of 2005 and 2007.
“The World War II generation is aging and opportunities such as this are slipping away,” said Chenango County Historical Society Director Alan Estus. “This is a chance for younger generations to experience a true piece of history and these opportunities are sometimes a once in a lifetime thing.”
Estus recalled the old adage that, “cultures and societies failing to learn from history’s many lessons” are “doomed to repeat their mistakes.”
The free presentation is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the First Baptist Church, due to renovations at the Rexford Street Museum. For more information call 334-9227.
As part of the Chenango County Historical Society’s series of monthly historical programs, Knapp’s presentation will focus on his childhood in Nazi Germany and subsequent immigration to America and enlistment in the United States Army.
“At the age of ten, it was compulsory at that time that you join the Hitler Youth, so that’s what I did,” said Knapp, who arrived in America in 1954, nearly a decade after the Japanese surrender signaled an end to World War II. “I was ten years old and fortunately, for the kids at that time, it was mostly like an adventure.”
At the age of 14, the young Hitler Youth was digging trenches for a retreating German army.
Following the war, Knapp, who had rejected the Nazi teachings, said he “didn’t think too much” of his time with the paramilitary organization until he reached the United States and “thought it through and what it could have led to” if history had taken another path.
At the age of 61, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Knapp said he decided it was time to revisit his homeland, plagued by nightmares of his experiences with the Hitler Youth.
He returned to the schoolhouse where he’d lived for the first two years as a member of the group, an experience he said he found “quite emotional,” and later dreamt of his Hitler Youth leaders’ inability to harm him any longer.
“That was the last time I had any nightmares,” he added.
Years later, Knapp said co-workers of his, whom he’d often regaled with tales of his World War II experiences, told him he should write a book. He was also urged by his daughter-in-law, who said the book should be written “before I lost my marbles,” stated Knapp.
Since then, he’s given nearly 100 presentations, both individually and as a speaker for the State of New Jersey Department of Humanity between the years of 2005 and 2007.
“The World War II generation is aging and opportunities such as this are slipping away,” said Chenango County Historical Society Director Alan Estus. “This is a chance for younger generations to experience a true piece of history and these opportunities are sometimes a once in a lifetime thing.”
Estus recalled the old adage that, “cultures and societies failing to learn from history’s many lessons” are “doomed to repeat their mistakes.”
The free presentation is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the First Baptist Church, due to renovations at the Rexford Street Museum. For more information call 334-9227.
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