Frenchy
"I Wanted to Get Back at Hitler"
by
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On January 30, 1933, President Paul Von Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany. Jeannette Marx was just twelve years old at the time but recalls being “frightened” as she heard the news that Hitler was now in power. Her Uncle Benno, a Social Democrat in the Reichstag, had already fled from Germany to England. Before his departure he practically begged Jeannette’s father, Salomon, to take the family and “get out!” A prominent political member, Uncle Benno was well aware that Adolf Hitler posed a very real and ominous threat to German Jews. But for Salomon, a decorated World War I veteran, to leave the Fatherland, his livelihood, and the rest of his family behind, was just unthinkable. Certainly Hitler “would not last.” Most German Jews did not initially believe Hitler would remain in power for very long. They would soon find out otherwise. Nazi propaganda, book burnings, physical attacks, and Kristallnacht—Night of Broken Glass—Jeannette would be a witness to them all, then barely escape and live to tell about it. Forced to leave her mother and father behind, this Jewish teenager would intentionally put herself in harm’s way in order to save the lives of others as a way to “get back at Hitler.” Jeannette joined the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (L.A.A.S.) and asked to be placed at the East End of the docks, “where it was the worst.” There, she would perform heroic acts of courage and valor as the Nazi bombs fell all around her. It was while serving as an L.A.A.S. driver she would affectionately be nicknamed “Frenchy.” The sweet victory and celebration of Hitler’s defeat would prove to be short-lived as Jeannette discovers the shocking truth about the “Final solution.” Did her parents and the rest of her family somehow escape? Jeannette’s own words, personal letters, and photographs, along with very rare and special journal entries, illuminate and personalize this most difficult moment in history.
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About the Book
On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. Jeannette Marx lived in Cologne and was just twelve years old at the time. Still, she recalls being terribly frightened by the news. Her uncle, Benjamin Marx, a prominent Social Democrat in the Reichstag, knew Hitler posed a grave threat to German Jews. Before fleeing to London, Benjamin pleaded with Jeannette's father to leave Germany right away. Salomon refused. Like many other Germans at the time, he believed Hitler was "crazy" and would certainly not last. Nazi book burnings, physical attacks, and Kristallnacht, young Jeannette witnessed these traumatic events right where she lived. Forced to leave her family behind, this Jewish teenager barely escaped Germany on the Kindertransport. Not long after she arrived in London, she decided it was time to "get back at Hitler." Jeannette joined the World War II effort and signed on with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service. When she was asked to choose an area to work in, she asked to be sent to the East End of the docks, “where it was the worst.” There, she would perform heroic acts of courage and valor as bombs fell all around. The sweet victory and celebration of Hitler’s defeat would prove to be short-lived as Jeannette discovers the shocking truth about his “Final solution.” Had her parents and the rest of her family somehow escaped? Jeannette’s own words, personal letters, and photographs, plus rare journal entries, illuminate and personalize this most difficult time in history.
About the Author
Tracy L. Shaler resides in her native state of Arizona with her husband and four children. The family enjoys spending summers on the beach in the Yucatan Peninsula and time with extended relatives. As a child, Tracy developed a love for writing and spent much of her time creating poetry and song lyrics. As a young adult, the field of law and justice captured her interest and she eventually became a detective. Interviewing victims and suspects, gathering all of the facts, then writing and submitting reports proved to be an extremely rewarding career. During a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Tracy, like numerous others who have walked its halls, was profoundly moved by the stark evidence and supporting testimonies surrounding one of the most horrific large-scale crimes against humanity in recent history. As she reflected on these unspeakable acts and survivor accounts, she felt a strong desire to meet with someone who personally witnessed and survived the Holocaust. Tracy returned home and eventually contacted the local Holocaust Survivors' Association. This led to a meeting, then a very special friendship with Holocaust Survivor Jeannette Grunfeld. Not only did Jeannette escape the Holocaust, she went on to serve as an ambulance driver and medic during World War II at great personal risk. Tracy’s first book, Frenchy is based on the true story of this special friend who taught her the real meaning of the phrase, “attitude is everything.” Currently, as a busy full-time mom, Tracy embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood and also manages to find time to volunteer as a human-rights advocate.