From the November 17, 1992 edition of The Wayne Herald
Norfolk woman shares Hitler youth experiences at Wayne Woman's Club
Gerda Daub O'Dey of Norfolk was a guest of the Wayne Woman's Club last Friday afternoon and shared her experiences as a Hitler Youth officer during World War II.
Her story is told in a book authored by Jean Tiedtke of Battle Creek, entitled "Legacy of Lies and Love."
Gerda, who has resided in Norfolk since 1949, was five when Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
She joined the mandatory organization, Hitler Youth, at age 10, and was promoted personally by Hitler at age 15 to a high ranking office in his youth organization.
She survived falling bombs, being hit by shrapnel, exposure to chemicals, being shot at by fighter planes and fleeing by bicycle through blizzard snows ahead of the Bolsheviks.
Gerda says the lies Hitler told the German people would have destroyed her had she not had the strong love of her father and mother.
Lillian Granquist, Woman's Club president, opened the November meeting with a reading, entitled "Please, Thank You and Love."
