The Boy Who Dared

Helmuth is now 10, and it is April 1935. Mutti has a boyfriend, Hugo Hübener, who is a Rottenführer, a Nazi paramilitary rank. He staunchly supports Hitler and talks about him constantly. He replaces Mutti’s radio with one that only plays German stations. Helmuth cannot stand Hugo and his authoritative manners. After two years, in 1937, Hugo moves them to an apartment in a new neighborhood. Even though Mutti is happy and in love, Helmuth misses living next door to his grandparents and does not want Hugo to be his dad. He is jealous of his brothers who do not have to be home as often.

By 1938, Helmuth is thirteen and attends his first day at the Oberbau, or middle school. Many students are wearing Hitler Youth uniforms, and the classroom displays a swastika flag and picture of Hitler. The students greet the teacher, Herr Vinke, with “Heil Hitler!” (42). Herr Vinke explains that he will teach “the new thinking in Germany” and gives a lesson on what makes a man brave (42). He shows a picture of a sailor holding a flag above water while his ship sinks, praising the sailor’s courage and values.