The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt: War Through a Woman's Eyes, 1939-1940

by Rulka Langer

Overview

Rare eyewitness account of early, chaotic days of WWII - Nazi invasion of Poland, Siege of Warsaw and first months of Occupation - written by a young working mother. Rulka Langer's eye for detail and lively storytelling bring to life, from her unique vantage point, the opening chapter of the struggle between good and evil which ultimately engulfed the entire globe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607720003
Publisher:	Aquila Polonica
Publication date:	09/16/2009
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	468
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.80(d)

Table of Contents

Historical Horizon xi

Author's Preface xxiii

1 August 1939: The Last Peacetime Summer 1

2 My Race with Hitler 28

3 August 27: Back to Warsaw 39

4 August 29: Warsaw Prepares 55

5 August 31: On the Edge 66

6 September 1: War! 75

7 September 2: Our First Refugees 93

8 September 5: The Bank Evacuates 105

9 September 6: Mortal Fear 122

10 At Aunt Flika's 134

11 Me, a German Spy?! 148

12 Vadik 160

13 September 15: Home Again 167

14 The Siege 182

15 Waiting for Horse Meat 193

16 Playing, Eating, Sleeping 209

17 Grim but Determined, Warsaw Carries On 217

18 The Malachowskis 229

19 We Take in the Grudas 235

20 September 23: My Birthday 242

21 September 24: The Church of the Savior Burns 257

22 September 25: Black Monday 272

23 September 27: Warsaw Surrenders 297

24 Bitter Days 310

25 The Nazi Occupation Begins 331

26 In Need of Candles 348

27 Major von Kraven 355

28 Priests and Teachers Arrested 369

29 My Brilliant New Business 378

30 In Terror's Grip 393

31 Christmas 1939 405

32 New Regulations, a New Business and- 412

33 The Decision to Leave Warsaw 420

34 Free! 434

Afterword: "Blitz" Graduates 451

Epilogue 459