Deanna Spingola Interview - Part I
Announcer: Hidden for more than 50 years, a daughter’s legacy is revealed to her when she finds her mother’s secret journal from the time she was in the Hitler Youth. Please welcome the author to “Through Innocent Eyes – The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth,” Cynthia A. Sandor.
Sandor: Thank you for having me.
Announcer: What inspired you to write this book?
Sandor: Four months before my mother’s Gertrude Kerschner passed away from bone cancer, I found her handwritten journal. This was the journal she wrote when she was 14 years old in Landjahr Lager Seidorf, which is now in Sosnowka, Poland. The faded and torn red cloth emblem of a sword piercing an Odal rune is glued to the right hand, lower corner of the book, bound together on the left with a simple green string. When I opened her journal, I examined the writings and studied each black and white photo. There were photos of a very large house and teenage girls wearing uniforms, standing at attention, playing with children, and taking care of farm animals. The most remarkable photo shows a Hakenkreuz flag, known to the world as the Swastika. I knew my mother had written this journal because she was from Austria.
My mother was dying from bone cancer. I brought the journal to the hospital and asked my mother if she could read it. As she flipped through the pages, she paused to compose her thoughts. She sat taller in her bed and then she said “Of course I can read it! I was in the Hitler Youth!”
Announcer: What was your reaction when you found out that your mother was in the Hitler Youth?
Sandor: Oh my God! I was in shock! I could not believe my mother was in the Hitler Youth! I asked her so many questions about the book, who where the girls in the photos, and the book she wrote. That’s when she told me she was in an elite program called Country Service Camp – Landjahr Lager. She told me not to show anyone the book because “they would kill me.”
Announcer: What did your mother mean when she said “They will kill you?”
Sandor: I don't know for I am still trying to figure that part out.
Announcer: Why did you write “Through Innocent Eyes?”
Sandor: I wrote “Through Innocent Eyes – The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth” because I wanted my mother’s death to have meaning. I did not want her to die in vain. I want to educate the public about the unspoken side of the girls in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) specifically those who served in the elite program called “Landjahr Lager.” I wrote “Through Innocent Eyes” to gain a deeper insight into the upbringing of my mother. After my extensive research, I asked myself how my mother could have passed along her heritage while escaping the demons of her past. The vicissitude of my life’s journey parallels my personal self-development - for the principals I live by today were taught to me by my mother, which she wrote about in her journal and the high moral character standards that she learned while serving in the Bund Deutscher Mädel.
Announcer: How did you learn about the "Landjahr Lager" girls?
Sandor: From my mother’s personal hand-made written journal entitled “Landjahr Lager Seidorf – 1941.” I found the book in 1989, 4 months before my mother passed away from bone cancer. For 50 years, my mother guarded her secret life in the Bund Deutscher Mädel from me. For 23 years, I intermittently researched the girls in Landjahr Lager. It was not until 2003 when Chris Crawford and Stephan Hansen created the “Bund Deutscher Mädel – A Historical Research Page & Online Archive” which opened the door for further investigation. I approached my German neighbor, Irmgard Nagengast-Rosich (Vanna's White's step mother), and showed her the journal and notes. I spent an entire year with Irma. She helped me in the research by translating hundreds of pages of German documents for me.
Announcer: What is the overall theme (central topic, subject or concept) of your book?
Sandor: It's a book about coming to age and building moral character. In German, the book is called a "Bildungsroma," (coming to age). I wish to dispel the myth that the girls were only raised for the “Three K’s” – kitchen, children, and church. This book captures the self-actualization of 10 years old Gertrude as she progresses from childhood and living in poverty to adolescence and becoming ‘one’ with her country. By age 13, Gertrude is chosen to serve in Landjahr Lager. The “Landjahr Girls” had to be in good character standing and have very strong work ethics. They were responsible, obedient, loyal and dedicated, not only to themselves, but to their community. They were physically, mentally, and intellectually strong young girls who were being educated to become worthwhile citizens for their community. The Landjahr girls were chosen and educated to have high moral principals, values, integrity, and strong work ethics.
Announcer: Where does this book take place?
Sandor: Part 1 and Part 2 in Kleinzell, Austria when Gertrude is 10 years old. Part 3 is in Seidorf, Niederschlesien - Lower Silesia which today is in Sosnówka, Poland - when Gertrude is 13 years old and serving in Landjahr Lager Seidorf (Country Service Camp - Seidorf).
Announcer: Who are the main characters and why are they important to the story?
Sandor: The two main characters are 10 year old Gertrude Kerschner, and her mother, Josefa. They are important to the story because each character represents opposing view of this time in Austria's history. In “Through Innocent Eyes – The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth,” we see Gertrude’s world through her innocent eyes. On the other hand, her mother, Josefa, represents motherly love, compassion and strength. She is a well worn woman and is the foundation of the family. Josefa was born in 1900 and was raised in Kleinzell. Her strong, muscular build gives her the ability to handle the laborious farm chores while her strong will and determination help sustain her family nucleus. Josefa is an intelligent woman for her age. Having borne five children and loosing her husband before reaching thirty-one years of age, she has already lived a lifetime. By the age of 18, Josefa had been through the Great War - World War One. She witnessed drastic political, cultural, and socioeconomic changes. Josefa learned about the new countries forming and the new ideologies that replaced the old. She has lived a lifetime and wishes for her children not to experience the same as she has. She does not like the idea of sending her children into the Hitler Youth. Because Josefa did not believe in National Socialism, the Gestapo came into the village and took her away, leaving Gertrude and her little brother, Franz, alone for three days. When Josefa returned, she was an obedient servant to National Socialism.
Announcer: What was the organizational structure of Landjahr Lager Seidorf?
Sandor: In 1941, the Landjahr Lager camp Seidorf which my mother was in contained 40 BDM girls. This camp had three women leaders who oversaw the education of the girls; the troop leader, the camp leader and the economics leader. Fraulein Dieter is 21 years old and she holds the highest position as the troop leader. She instills very high expectations of the girls to perform their duties using paramilitary like disciplinary measures to train the girls. Fräulein Albrecht is the Lagerführerin, the Camp Leader. Her job is to motivate and inspire the girls to learn and willingly perform their duties. She installs a certain code of moral ethics. Lastly,19 year old Fräulein Grüber is the Wirtschaftshilfe Führerin – Economic Assistant Leader. She oversees the management of the Lager and teaches the girls how to manage a home. Frauline Suse Ghent was the Untergaufuhrerin (Lower District Leader for Landjahr and the BDM) who was later replaced in July 1941, by Fraulein Rosel Herrmann. Landjahr Lager was under the direction of the Reichsminister für Wissennschaft, Bildung und Kulture (Reich’s Minister for Science, Education, and Culture).
Announcer: What was the purpose of Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: The National Socialistic upbringing trains these Landjahr girls to build their moral character. They were educated to become responsible German woman. They had to be physically fit, in good character standing, and ready to serve their "Volk" at any time. They were empowered by their camp leaders to build self-confidence, the self-esteem, and self-worth through their various training and activities. In Landjahr Lager, Gertrude becomes a valuable member of society with the purpose of serving her farmers and her country.
Announcer: How were the girls chosen for Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: My mother told me that those girls who were chosen to participate in Landjahr Lager received a letter from the Reich’s Minister for Science, Education, and Culture based upon the moral character standing while serving in the Jungmädels. During their 4 years in service, the Young Girl’s Den Leader constantly monitored the girls and recorded their actions in what is called an “Accomplishment Book.” Those girls who exceeded in their training and received the highest marks were chosen to participate in Landjahr. These girls were highly responsible, dependable, obedient, and loyal. In addition, they had very strong work ethics in addition to being physically, mentally, and intellectually trained during their time in the League to willingly serve their homeland and their surrounding communities at all times. This was evident even when she became a United States citizen.
Announcer: What did Gertrude learn in Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: At the age of 13, my mother, Gertrude, learned what it meant to become an obedient, dedicated, and loyal German girl. She was being trained in home economics, and to become an outstanding citizen. When my mother left her home and family in Kleinzell she traveled 700 km to Seidorf. Over an 8 month period, my mother and her comrades’ learned practical home-economic skills, such as house cleaning, laundry, cooking, sewing, arts and crafts, gardening, landscaping, farming, and managing the finances of the home. When ever they were called upon, these girls served within their local community by helping the farmers in the fields, or the mothers within the homes. In the evenings, they had political discussions and social gatherings. They learned traditional folk dances and song, and every month, learned at least 10 new songs. They played instruments, gave theatrical performances, and even took part in a very big one-week hiking trip around their countryside. I think for me, the most gut wrenching lesson they learned was how to prepare and participate in slaughtering their pigs. I could not have written this part of the book any better than how my mother write about it directly in her journal. In addition, the Landjahr Seidorfer girls learned very strong work ethics and learned how to become self-sufficient. They were joyful and worked together in camaraderie. The normal six-day work week started at 6:00 in the morning and ended by 9:00 in the evening. At all times, they were conscious of their actions, dedicated to becoming a productive member of society, all the while being opened to learning as much as they could while in camp.
Announcer: What is the symbol of Landjahr and what does it mean?
Sandor: The Landjahr Lager symbol is an Odal rune pierced through the middle by a sword. It represents the mystical bond between the farmers of the land and the soul of the folk, the concept of “Fatherland,” “Motherland” and “Homeland,” which is based upon the Blood and Soil ideology. It is a symbol of receiving nourishment both physically and spiritually from the land, and the sword represents the strength of the people. The Landjahr symbol is a source of their spirituality being one with God and nature and the farms. Not too many people know that during this time, the Third Reich forgave all mortgaged Land and titles to the original farm owners. All debts were cancelled. No where else in recorded history, except the National Socialists, did the government perform such a feat for their people.
Announcer: Why do you think that this book will appeal to readers?
Sandor: For decades, Western culture was only aware of The Anne Frank Diary - now there is another diary for mankind to consider. I have just completed an unprecedented research project that I personally started 23 years ago. “Through Innocent Eyes” is based upon my mother’s personal hand-written Landjahr Lager Seidorf journal written in 1941. In America, there continues to be an insatiable desire to learn about every aspect of the girl’s upbringing in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM). Even though it has only been slightly touched upon, Landjahr Lager is virtually unknown by the media or the general public. This accurate accounting reveals in detail the life of the Landjahr Lager girls, what they learned, how they were disciplined, and what was expected of them by their leaders and in the community. Everyone worked together as one.
“Through Innocent Eyes” is a true accounting of my mother’s life and this is the only book in existence written in English about the girls in Landjahr Lager. It is very informative and detailed, discussing the lifestyle and daily rural living during this time in Austria and in Germany. This book is accurate, historical, and newly found documentation specifically addresses the educational curriculum and how it pertains to the moral character development and learning of the BDM girls. “Through Innocent Eyes” will become the foundation of countless WWII era research studies, articles, publications and discussions worldwide. College students are contacting me directly saying they are using “Through Innocent Eyes” for their history research projects. School teachers are emailing me saying they will read the book and are using it in their German history classes. Others communicate with me telling me they had friends that were in the Hitler Youth, but never heard of Landjahr Lager and want to know more about it. History professors, students, and historians alike will be astonished when they see the personal photos, and read the journal and detailed information this publication has to offer. Currently, there are hundreds of WWII internet forums and re-enactment groups from WWII throughout the world. Many female readers have all ready informed me that their mothers were in the BDM, and I am naming them on my Facebook "Girls in the BDM" website. In the past, these grandmothers were afraid to speak of this time to their daughters or granddaughters. I consider myself to be the voice of hundreds maybe even thousands or millions of German and Austria mother’s and grandmothers who are still afraid to speak about this time to their own family. This book is opening communications between mothers and daughters of German descent, and even giving those daughters whose mother has past away, a more profound look into their mother’s upbringing in the Third Reich. Even men have contacted me directly indicating that they are reading “Through Innocent Eyes” as a foundation and as a mean to trace their own genealogy
Announcer: How is your book relevant in today’s society?
Sandor: The situation in Germany has changed radically compared with the decades immediately after World War II. It is my personal impression that the woman whom I have met with and interviewed for my book are nearing the end of their lives and are now open to discussing their time in the BDM. The distance to the events of World War II is now 74 years. Today, even oral history is becoming increasingly popular. I found out about Landjahr Lager four months before my mother’s death. Only when she was on her death bed did my mother tell me that she was a child of the Hitler Youth. Many people are questioning and dealing with their own family history during the National Socialistic period in an open, factual and self-critical way. This, I believe is vital and important to accepting ones own heritage. Every book ever written about the girls in the Hitler Youth focus on the negative aspects and “Through Innocent Eyes” is the only book that focused on how the girls built their character standards - the highest being in integrity. Today, there are hundreds of Living History, Private Tactical, and Open Air Museums and WWII re-enactments around the world that focus on WWII. Not everyone focuses on the moral character upbringing of the Hitler Youth. At one event in Ohio, there are over 750 re-enactors and over 18,000 people who attend event. I am now finding out that there are many Hitler Youth re-enactments groups, for the boys and for the girls. The two largest re-enactment groups for the boys are the 9th and 12th Reenactment Societies. Chris Crawford’s Bund Deutscher Mädel – A Historical Research Page and Online Archive website, together with Gerda Langemann, (who’s real name is actually Jane Smith) are the two leading-living BDM historians in the United States who are involved with the girls BDM reenactments, along with the one in Ohio which occurs in August of each year.
Announcer: What is living history?
Sandor: Living History is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Living history is an educational medium used by living history museums, historic sites, heritage interpreters, schools and historical reenactment groups to educate the public in particular areas of history, such as clothing styles, pastimes, and handicrafts, or to simply convey a sense of the everyday life of a certain period in history. Historical Reenactments are a type of role-playing in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. In addition, there is a very strong historical interest in the League of German Girls (BDM), to educate people by doing impressions at schools, air shows, and other living history events. Participants strive to be historically accurate and who are willing to share their knowledge with one another. Re-enacting is a very, tight-knit community and I have been asked to participate in and represent the Landjahr Lager girls this year in Ohio. Even the libraries are starting to carry the book.
Announcer: What makes your book different from other books like it?
Sandor: I juxtaposed my findings with context from up-to-date historical research archived information from actual de-classified government documents, Leadership pamphlets, personal interviews with German and Austrian women, especially the last four remaining survivors of Landjahr Lager Seidorf. Those girls are Nelly, Ellie, Steffie, and Marie. I had my mothers journal translated, spoke about this topic with my family, spent hundreds of hours on the computer doing internet research, and reading many books. “Through Innocent Eyes” sheds new light on a generation who unquestionably strives to gain insights into the life of a BDM girl in Landjahr Lager and those who want to build their moral character development. These girls in the BDM, called Jungmaedelbund, starting learning at 10 years old how to build their moral character standards and live in integrity. By 14, they learned the practical skills and knowledge to prepare them for adulthood. By the time any girl was 18, she had the necessary skills to either manage an entire household, including the finances, or secure a job in her chosen vocation. These children in the Landjahr Lager program were highly educated to become productive members of their society, being taught their virtues in a management level. Unfortunately, for more than seven decades, some parents and grandparents remain unable to express their personal upbringing due to the stigma attached to the Hitler Youth. Their own living history will soon end. Since the women I interviewed are now in their mid-80’s, they feel enough time has passed to speak openly about their time in the League of German Girls (BDM). Alone, I have taken on the colossal responsibility to become the voice for millions of German and Austrian mothers worldwide, and to write a book about the positive side of the League of German Girls and their upbringing in the Hitler Youth.
Announcer: What do you want readers to take away from your writing?
Sandor: The truth has been hidden for over the past 70 years. I wish to dispel the myth that the girls in the BDM were only raised to breed as many children as possible, and to stay in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. I want to remove the negative stigma from the “Three K’s” by using my mother’s life story as a model for other German/Austrian descendants to openly communicate their heritage onto their children before the Third Reich generation completely disappears from living history forever. Others from my generation are informing me that they are beginning to follow suit and question their parents or grandparents about the time of their youth, growing up in the Third Reich. From now on, no one needs to feel ashamed of their time growing up in Germany or Austria during WWII. The parents and grandparents of today were once innocent children themselves. The distance between the events of the Hitler Youth and today is so far removed and one-sided for the overwhelming response I am receiving from my readers is “Finally, something good is coming out of WWII.”
Announcer: Is there a particular passage from your book you’d like us to utilize?
Sandor: Yes there is. I would like to site this passage: “When the last day comes, you will show the Lord God your hands. Those who work and toil hard enough, your hands may rest in heaven. And whoever has fine white hands but must first show his heart to God.”
Announcer: Is there is any additional information you’d like the writers to know, please provide.
Sandor: I am from rural Connecticut. From the age of 5, I started learning about the European strong work ethics when my mother took me into the garden and taught me how to weed. This lead me to becoming the gardener on our 5 acre estate home, to eventually handling all the maintenance on the family vehicles and lawn equipment. I loved music and my mother bought a piano for which I have until this day. By the time I was 16, I started playing in a number of local 'rock and roll bands' and by the time I was 19, I was employed with Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co., Inc., as the Manager of Copyright, Licensing and Administration. I received an AA Degree from St. Petersburg Jr. College and a B.A. Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Development from Eckerd College. In 2001, I survived a horrific motorcycle accident, which propelled me to produce the "Lady Rider TV Show" on Pinellas County Public Access Television. I am a Travel Channel Academy student under the guidance of the famed Jewish television producer, Michael Rosenblum, and even had a few of my pieces used on his TV shows. I am an accomplished world traveler having visited over 20 countries, and visiting over 400 cities. I have been to Austria at least 45 times. My articles appear in “Guitar for the Practicing Musician," "Biker Ally Magazine," and "Tampa Bay New Times Magazine." When I can, I attend the WWII Living History events. I live with my two Chihuahuas, Nicky, and Harley, in the Tampa Bay area in Florida.
Announcer: What other books have you written?
Sandor: I am extremely proud for writing the piece entitled “Europe to New York City on the S.S. United States – July 6, 1957” as contained in the "50th Anniversary Maiden Voyage Edition – S.S. United States - Fastest Ship in the World" by Frank Braynard and Robert Hudson Westover, published by Turner Publishing. I just started writing my father's story which will be a romantic WWII novel.
Announcer: It has been a pleasure speaking with you. Ms. Sandor's Facebook page is, Cynthia A. Sandor and her Facebook page is "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth." She has other Facebook pages called "The History of the Bund Deutscher Maedel," and "Austria During the Time of National Socialism." For autograph copies of her book, you can go to her web site: http://www.cynthiaasandor.com. It has been a pleasure having you on our show.
Sandor: Thank you very much for having me. It has been a pleasure to be on your show.
Sandor: Thank you for having me.
Announcer: What inspired you to write this book?
Sandor: Four months before my mother’s Gertrude Kerschner passed away from bone cancer, I found her handwritten journal. This was the journal she wrote when she was 14 years old in Landjahr Lager Seidorf, which is now in Sosnowka, Poland. The faded and torn red cloth emblem of a sword piercing an Odal rune is glued to the right hand, lower corner of the book, bound together on the left with a simple green string. When I opened her journal, I examined the writings and studied each black and white photo. There were photos of a very large house and teenage girls wearing uniforms, standing at attention, playing with children, and taking care of farm animals. The most remarkable photo shows a Hakenkreuz flag, known to the world as the Swastika. I knew my mother had written this journal because she was from Austria.
My mother was dying from bone cancer. I brought the journal to the hospital and asked my mother if she could read it. As she flipped through the pages, she paused to compose her thoughts. She sat taller in her bed and then she said “Of course I can read it! I was in the Hitler Youth!”
Announcer: What was your reaction when you found out that your mother was in the Hitler Youth?
Sandor: Oh my God! I was in shock! I could not believe my mother was in the Hitler Youth! I asked her so many questions about the book, who where the girls in the photos, and the book she wrote. That’s when she told me she was in an elite program called Country Service Camp – Landjahr Lager. She told me not to show anyone the book because “they would kill me.”
Announcer: What did your mother mean when she said “They will kill you?”
Sandor: I don't know for I am still trying to figure that part out.
Announcer: Why did you write “Through Innocent Eyes?”
Sandor: I wrote “Through Innocent Eyes – The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth” because I wanted my mother’s death to have meaning. I did not want her to die in vain. I want to educate the public about the unspoken side of the girls in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) specifically those who served in the elite program called “Landjahr Lager.” I wrote “Through Innocent Eyes” to gain a deeper insight into the upbringing of my mother. After my extensive research, I asked myself how my mother could have passed along her heritage while escaping the demons of her past. The vicissitude of my life’s journey parallels my personal self-development - for the principals I live by today were taught to me by my mother, which she wrote about in her journal and the high moral character standards that she learned while serving in the Bund Deutscher Mädel.
Announcer: How did you learn about the "Landjahr Lager" girls?
Sandor: From my mother’s personal hand-made written journal entitled “Landjahr Lager Seidorf – 1941.” I found the book in 1989, 4 months before my mother passed away from bone cancer. For 50 years, my mother guarded her secret life in the Bund Deutscher Mädel from me. For 23 years, I intermittently researched the girls in Landjahr Lager. It was not until 2003 when Chris Crawford and Stephan Hansen created the “Bund Deutscher Mädel – A Historical Research Page & Online Archive” which opened the door for further investigation. I approached my German neighbor, Irmgard Nagengast-Rosich (Vanna's White's step mother), and showed her the journal and notes. I spent an entire year with Irma. She helped me in the research by translating hundreds of pages of German documents for me.
Announcer: What is the overall theme (central topic, subject or concept) of your book?
Sandor: It's a book about coming to age and building moral character. In German, the book is called a "Bildungsroma," (coming to age). I wish to dispel the myth that the girls were only raised for the “Three K’s” – kitchen, children, and church. This book captures the self-actualization of 10 years old Gertrude as she progresses from childhood and living in poverty to adolescence and becoming ‘one’ with her country. By age 13, Gertrude is chosen to serve in Landjahr Lager. The “Landjahr Girls” had to be in good character standing and have very strong work ethics. They were responsible, obedient, loyal and dedicated, not only to themselves, but to their community. They were physically, mentally, and intellectually strong young girls who were being educated to become worthwhile citizens for their community. The Landjahr girls were chosen and educated to have high moral principals, values, integrity, and strong work ethics.
Announcer: Where does this book take place?
Sandor: Part 1 and Part 2 in Kleinzell, Austria when Gertrude is 10 years old. Part 3 is in Seidorf, Niederschlesien - Lower Silesia which today is in Sosnówka, Poland - when Gertrude is 13 years old and serving in Landjahr Lager Seidorf (Country Service Camp - Seidorf).
Announcer: Who are the main characters and why are they important to the story?
Sandor: The two main characters are 10 year old Gertrude Kerschner, and her mother, Josefa. They are important to the story because each character represents opposing view of this time in Austria's history. In “Through Innocent Eyes – The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth,” we see Gertrude’s world through her innocent eyes. On the other hand, her mother, Josefa, represents motherly love, compassion and strength. She is a well worn woman and is the foundation of the family. Josefa was born in 1900 and was raised in Kleinzell. Her strong, muscular build gives her the ability to handle the laborious farm chores while her strong will and determination help sustain her family nucleus. Josefa is an intelligent woman for her age. Having borne five children and loosing her husband before reaching thirty-one years of age, she has already lived a lifetime. By the age of 18, Josefa had been through the Great War - World War One. She witnessed drastic political, cultural, and socioeconomic changes. Josefa learned about the new countries forming and the new ideologies that replaced the old. She has lived a lifetime and wishes for her children not to experience the same as she has. She does not like the idea of sending her children into the Hitler Youth. Because Josefa did not believe in National Socialism, the Gestapo came into the village and took her away, leaving Gertrude and her little brother, Franz, alone for three days. When Josefa returned, she was an obedient servant to National Socialism.
Announcer: What was the organizational structure of Landjahr Lager Seidorf?
Sandor: In 1941, the Landjahr Lager camp Seidorf which my mother was in contained 40 BDM girls. This camp had three women leaders who oversaw the education of the girls; the troop leader, the camp leader and the economics leader. Fraulein Dieter is 21 years old and she holds the highest position as the troop leader. She instills very high expectations of the girls to perform their duties using paramilitary like disciplinary measures to train the girls. Fräulein Albrecht is the Lagerführerin, the Camp Leader. Her job is to motivate and inspire the girls to learn and willingly perform their duties. She installs a certain code of moral ethics. Lastly,19 year old Fräulein Grüber is the Wirtschaftshilfe Führerin – Economic Assistant Leader. She oversees the management of the Lager and teaches the girls how to manage a home. Frauline Suse Ghent was the Untergaufuhrerin (Lower District Leader for Landjahr and the BDM) who was later replaced in July 1941, by Fraulein Rosel Herrmann. Landjahr Lager was under the direction of the Reichsminister für Wissennschaft, Bildung und Kulture (Reich’s Minister for Science, Education, and Culture).
Announcer: What was the purpose of Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: The National Socialistic upbringing trains these Landjahr girls to build their moral character. They were educated to become responsible German woman. They had to be physically fit, in good character standing, and ready to serve their "Volk" at any time. They were empowered by their camp leaders to build self-confidence, the self-esteem, and self-worth through their various training and activities. In Landjahr Lager, Gertrude becomes a valuable member of society with the purpose of serving her farmers and her country.
Announcer: How were the girls chosen for Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: My mother told me that those girls who were chosen to participate in Landjahr Lager received a letter from the Reich’s Minister for Science, Education, and Culture based upon the moral character standing while serving in the Jungmädels. During their 4 years in service, the Young Girl’s Den Leader constantly monitored the girls and recorded their actions in what is called an “Accomplishment Book.” Those girls who exceeded in their training and received the highest marks were chosen to participate in Landjahr. These girls were highly responsible, dependable, obedient, and loyal. In addition, they had very strong work ethics in addition to being physically, mentally, and intellectually trained during their time in the League to willingly serve their homeland and their surrounding communities at all times. This was evident even when she became a United States citizen.
Announcer: What did Gertrude learn in Landjahr Lager?
Sandor: At the age of 13, my mother, Gertrude, learned what it meant to become an obedient, dedicated, and loyal German girl. She was being trained in home economics, and to become an outstanding citizen. When my mother left her home and family in Kleinzell she traveled 700 km to Seidorf. Over an 8 month period, my mother and her comrades’ learned practical home-economic skills, such as house cleaning, laundry, cooking, sewing, arts and crafts, gardening, landscaping, farming, and managing the finances of the home. When ever they were called upon, these girls served within their local community by helping the farmers in the fields, or the mothers within the homes. In the evenings, they had political discussions and social gatherings. They learned traditional folk dances and song, and every month, learned at least 10 new songs. They played instruments, gave theatrical performances, and even took part in a very big one-week hiking trip around their countryside. I think for me, the most gut wrenching lesson they learned was how to prepare and participate in slaughtering their pigs. I could not have written this part of the book any better than how my mother write about it directly in her journal. In addition, the Landjahr Seidorfer girls learned very strong work ethics and learned how to become self-sufficient. They were joyful and worked together in camaraderie. The normal six-day work week started at 6:00 in the morning and ended by 9:00 in the evening. At all times, they were conscious of their actions, dedicated to becoming a productive member of society, all the while being opened to learning as much as they could while in camp.
Announcer: What is the symbol of Landjahr and what does it mean?
Sandor: The Landjahr Lager symbol is an Odal rune pierced through the middle by a sword. It represents the mystical bond between the farmers of the land and the soul of the folk, the concept of “Fatherland,” “Motherland” and “Homeland,” which is based upon the Blood and Soil ideology. It is a symbol of receiving nourishment both physically and spiritually from the land, and the sword represents the strength of the people. The Landjahr symbol is a source of their spirituality being one with God and nature and the farms. Not too many people know that during this time, the Third Reich forgave all mortgaged Land and titles to the original farm owners. All debts were cancelled. No where else in recorded history, except the National Socialists, did the government perform such a feat for their people.
Announcer: Why do you think that this book will appeal to readers?
Sandor: For decades, Western culture was only aware of The Anne Frank Diary - now there is another diary for mankind to consider. I have just completed an unprecedented research project that I personally started 23 years ago. “Through Innocent Eyes” is based upon my mother’s personal hand-written Landjahr Lager Seidorf journal written in 1941. In America, there continues to be an insatiable desire to learn about every aspect of the girl’s upbringing in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM). Even though it has only been slightly touched upon, Landjahr Lager is virtually unknown by the media or the general public. This accurate accounting reveals in detail the life of the Landjahr Lager girls, what they learned, how they were disciplined, and what was expected of them by their leaders and in the community. Everyone worked together as one.
“Through Innocent Eyes” is a true accounting of my mother’s life and this is the only book in existence written in English about the girls in Landjahr Lager. It is very informative and detailed, discussing the lifestyle and daily rural living during this time in Austria and in Germany. This book is accurate, historical, and newly found documentation specifically addresses the educational curriculum and how it pertains to the moral character development and learning of the BDM girls. “Through Innocent Eyes” will become the foundation of countless WWII era research studies, articles, publications and discussions worldwide. College students are contacting me directly saying they are using “Through Innocent Eyes” for their history research projects. School teachers are emailing me saying they will read the book and are using it in their German history classes. Others communicate with me telling me they had friends that were in the Hitler Youth, but never heard of Landjahr Lager and want to know more about it. History professors, students, and historians alike will be astonished when they see the personal photos, and read the journal and detailed information this publication has to offer. Currently, there are hundreds of WWII internet forums and re-enactment groups from WWII throughout the world. Many female readers have all ready informed me that their mothers were in the BDM, and I am naming them on my Facebook "Girls in the BDM" website. In the past, these grandmothers were afraid to speak of this time to their daughters or granddaughters. I consider myself to be the voice of hundreds maybe even thousands or millions of German and Austria mother’s and grandmothers who are still afraid to speak about this time to their own family. This book is opening communications between mothers and daughters of German descent, and even giving those daughters whose mother has past away, a more profound look into their mother’s upbringing in the Third Reich. Even men have contacted me directly indicating that they are reading “Through Innocent Eyes” as a foundation and as a mean to trace their own genealogy
Announcer: How is your book relevant in today’s society?
Sandor: The situation in Germany has changed radically compared with the decades immediately after World War II. It is my personal impression that the woman whom I have met with and interviewed for my book are nearing the end of their lives and are now open to discussing their time in the BDM. The distance to the events of World War II is now 74 years. Today, even oral history is becoming increasingly popular. I found out about Landjahr Lager four months before my mother’s death. Only when she was on her death bed did my mother tell me that she was a child of the Hitler Youth. Many people are questioning and dealing with their own family history during the National Socialistic period in an open, factual and self-critical way. This, I believe is vital and important to accepting ones own heritage. Every book ever written about the girls in the Hitler Youth focus on the negative aspects and “Through Innocent Eyes” is the only book that focused on how the girls built their character standards - the highest being in integrity. Today, there are hundreds of Living History, Private Tactical, and Open Air Museums and WWII re-enactments around the world that focus on WWII. Not everyone focuses on the moral character upbringing of the Hitler Youth. At one event in Ohio, there are over 750 re-enactors and over 18,000 people who attend event. I am now finding out that there are many Hitler Youth re-enactments groups, for the boys and for the girls. The two largest re-enactment groups for the boys are the 9th and 12th Reenactment Societies. Chris Crawford’s Bund Deutscher Mädel – A Historical Research Page and Online Archive website, together with Gerda Langemann, (who’s real name is actually Jane Smith) are the two leading-living BDM historians in the United States who are involved with the girls BDM reenactments, along with the one in Ohio which occurs in August of each year.
Announcer: What is living history?
Sandor: Living History is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Living history is an educational medium used by living history museums, historic sites, heritage interpreters, schools and historical reenactment groups to educate the public in particular areas of history, such as clothing styles, pastimes, and handicrafts, or to simply convey a sense of the everyday life of a certain period in history. Historical Reenactments are a type of role-playing in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. In addition, there is a very strong historical interest in the League of German Girls (BDM), to educate people by doing impressions at schools, air shows, and other living history events. Participants strive to be historically accurate and who are willing to share their knowledge with one another. Re-enacting is a very, tight-knit community and I have been asked to participate in and represent the Landjahr Lager girls this year in Ohio. Even the libraries are starting to carry the book.
Announcer: What makes your book different from other books like it?
Sandor: I juxtaposed my findings with context from up-to-date historical research archived information from actual de-classified government documents, Leadership pamphlets, personal interviews with German and Austrian women, especially the last four remaining survivors of Landjahr Lager Seidorf. Those girls are Nelly, Ellie, Steffie, and Marie. I had my mothers journal translated, spoke about this topic with my family, spent hundreds of hours on the computer doing internet research, and reading many books. “Through Innocent Eyes” sheds new light on a generation who unquestionably strives to gain insights into the life of a BDM girl in Landjahr Lager and those who want to build their moral character development. These girls in the BDM, called Jungmaedelbund, starting learning at 10 years old how to build their moral character standards and live in integrity. By 14, they learned the practical skills and knowledge to prepare them for adulthood. By the time any girl was 18, she had the necessary skills to either manage an entire household, including the finances, or secure a job in her chosen vocation. These children in the Landjahr Lager program were highly educated to become productive members of their society, being taught their virtues in a management level. Unfortunately, for more than seven decades, some parents and grandparents remain unable to express their personal upbringing due to the stigma attached to the Hitler Youth. Their own living history will soon end. Since the women I interviewed are now in their mid-80’s, they feel enough time has passed to speak openly about their time in the League of German Girls (BDM). Alone, I have taken on the colossal responsibility to become the voice for millions of German and Austrian mothers worldwide, and to write a book about the positive side of the League of German Girls and their upbringing in the Hitler Youth.
Announcer: What do you want readers to take away from your writing?
Sandor: The truth has been hidden for over the past 70 years. I wish to dispel the myth that the girls in the BDM were only raised to breed as many children as possible, and to stay in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. I want to remove the negative stigma from the “Three K’s” by using my mother’s life story as a model for other German/Austrian descendants to openly communicate their heritage onto their children before the Third Reich generation completely disappears from living history forever. Others from my generation are informing me that they are beginning to follow suit and question their parents or grandparents about the time of their youth, growing up in the Third Reich. From now on, no one needs to feel ashamed of their time growing up in Germany or Austria during WWII. The parents and grandparents of today were once innocent children themselves. The distance between the events of the Hitler Youth and today is so far removed and one-sided for the overwhelming response I am receiving from my readers is “Finally, something good is coming out of WWII.”
Announcer: Is there a particular passage from your book you’d like us to utilize?
Sandor: Yes there is. I would like to site this passage: “When the last day comes, you will show the Lord God your hands. Those who work and toil hard enough, your hands may rest in heaven. And whoever has fine white hands but must first show his heart to God.”
Announcer: Is there is any additional information you’d like the writers to know, please provide.
Sandor: I am from rural Connecticut. From the age of 5, I started learning about the European strong work ethics when my mother took me into the garden and taught me how to weed. This lead me to becoming the gardener on our 5 acre estate home, to eventually handling all the maintenance on the family vehicles and lawn equipment. I loved music and my mother bought a piano for which I have until this day. By the time I was 16, I started playing in a number of local 'rock and roll bands' and by the time I was 19, I was employed with Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co., Inc., as the Manager of Copyright, Licensing and Administration. I received an AA Degree from St. Petersburg Jr. College and a B.A. Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Development from Eckerd College. In 2001, I survived a horrific motorcycle accident, which propelled me to produce the "Lady Rider TV Show" on Pinellas County Public Access Television. I am a Travel Channel Academy student under the guidance of the famed Jewish television producer, Michael Rosenblum, and even had a few of my pieces used on his TV shows. I am an accomplished world traveler having visited over 20 countries, and visiting over 400 cities. I have been to Austria at least 45 times. My articles appear in “Guitar for the Practicing Musician," "Biker Ally Magazine," and "Tampa Bay New Times Magazine." When I can, I attend the WWII Living History events. I live with my two Chihuahuas, Nicky, and Harley, in the Tampa Bay area in Florida.
Announcer: What other books have you written?
Sandor: I am extremely proud for writing the piece entitled “Europe to New York City on the S.S. United States – July 6, 1957” as contained in the "50th Anniversary Maiden Voyage Edition – S.S. United States - Fastest Ship in the World" by Frank Braynard and Robert Hudson Westover, published by Turner Publishing. I just started writing my father's story which will be a romantic WWII novel.
Announcer: It has been a pleasure speaking with you. Ms. Sandor's Facebook page is, Cynthia A. Sandor and her Facebook page is "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth." She has other Facebook pages called "The History of the Bund Deutscher Maedel," and "Austria During the Time of National Socialism." For autograph copies of her book, you can go to her web site: http://www.cynthiaasandor.com. It has been a pleasure having you on our show.
Sandor: Thank you very much for having me. It has been a pleasure to be on your show.
