Facing the Lion - Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe

1. Childhood innocence shattered by Nazi occupation of Alsace

"Se han a g'hohlt, se han a g'hohlt..."—the Alsatian words for "they got hold of him" pounded in my head.

Nazi takeover disrupts life. In 1940, Germany occupied Alsace, a French region bordering Germany. For 11-year-old Simone Arnold, this meant:

• Enforced use of German language
• Mandatory Hitler Youth participation
• Persecution of religious minorities like Jehovah's Witnesses

Family torn apart. The Nazis targeted Simone's family for their faith:

• Father arrested and sent to concentration camps in 1941
• Mother arrested in 1943
• Simone sent to reform school in 1943 at age 12

Simone's carefree childhood abruptly ended as she faced discrimination, loss of freedom, and separation from loved ones. She had to grow up quickly, navigating a world turned hostile to her beliefs and very existence.

2. Faith and family tested through separation and imprisonment

"Life is not in your hands but in God's."

Maintaining faith under pressure. Despite persecution, the Arnold family clung to their religious convictions:

• Refused to say "Heil Hitler" or participate in Nazi activities
• Continued underground Bible study and meetings
• Provided spiritual support to others in concentration camps

Separated but united in spirit. Though physically apart, the family drew strength from shared beliefs:

• Simone's father endured brutal conditions in camps like Dachau and Mauthausen
• Her mother encouraged fellow prisoners in women's camps
• Simone faced isolation and indoctrination attempts at reform school

Their unwavering faith and love for each other helped the Arnolds survive years of separation and hardship. They found ways to communicate and uplift each other spiritually even when apart.

3. Resilience in the face of harsh conditions at Wessenberg reform school

"I had to learn that I could never please her no matter how hard I tried."

Dehumanizing environment. At Wessenberg, Simone endured:

• Strict rules and constant surveillance
• Harsh punishments for minor infractions
• Forced labor and inadequate food
• Isolation from family and outside world

Inner strength emerges. Despite these challenges, Simone found ways to cope:

• Excelled at assigned tasks to avoid punishment
• Secretly maintained her faith through prayer and Bible verses memorized earlier
• Formed careful friendships with select fellow students
• Drew on happy memories of family for comfort

Through resourcefulness and determination, Simone preserved her sense of self and values. She learned to navigate the oppressive system while inwardly resisting its attempts to break her spirit.

4. Moral dilemmas and maintaining integrity under oppression

"I knew I had done the right thing even though Fräulein Messinger had yelled at me and ran around all day like a person whose clothes were on fire."

Ethical challenges. Simone faced difficult choices that tested her principles:

• Refusing to participate in Nazi youth activities or salute Hitler
• Deciding whether to report other students' infractions
• Maintaining religious practices in secret

Choosing integrity. Despite potential consequences, Simone often opted to:

• Stand firm in her beliefs, even when isolated or punished
• Show kindness to others when possible
• Find creative ways to stay true to her faith without open defiance

These experiences forced Simone to deeply examine her values and find the courage to live by them. She learned that maintaining integrity often comes at a personal cost but provides inner strength.

5. The power of hope and inner strength in surviving trauma

"Hope is the greatest treasure. If a man has lost everything, he still possesses hope!"

Sources of resilience. Simone drew strength from:

• Faith in God and belief in a better future
• Memories of family love and happy times
• Small acts of kindness from others
• Inner resolve to survive and reunite with loved ones

Coping mechanisms. To endure, Simone developed strategies like:

• Mental escape through daydreams and future planning
• Finding beauty in nature when possible
• Focusing on daily tasks and small goals
• Holding onto core identity despite pressures to conform

This inner fortitude allowed Simone to survive years of hardship without losing her essential self or hope for the future. She discovered reserves of strength she didn't know she possessed.

6. Reuniting and rebuilding after war's devastation

"Was all of this real? Were we really free, liberated?"

Joy mixed with challenges. The Arnold family's reunion brought:

• Relief and happiness at survival against odds
• Shock at physical and emotional toll of wartime experiences
• Difficulty readjusting to civilian life and each other

Rebuilding process. Post-war recovery involved:

• Addressing health issues from malnutrition and mistreatment
• Reconnecting emotionally as a family
• Reestablishing home and livelihood
• Processing trauma while moving forward

The long-awaited reunion was not an instant return to normalcy. The family had to navigate the impacts of their ordeal while rediscovering their bonds and place in a changed world.

7. Choosing forgiveness over vengeance in post-war healing

"Maybe her conscience will bother her. She is quite young, and in prison she may find time to comprehend her foolishness and repent."

Resisting cycle of hatred. The Arnolds chose to:

• Refuse opportunities for revenge against those who betrayed them
• Show kindness to former enemies, like providing care to ill neighbor who had denounced them
• Focus on rebuilding their lives rather than seeking retribution

Living their values. This approach allowed them to:

• Maintain integrity and religious principles
• Break the cycle of bitterness and violence
• Set an example of reconciliation in their community

By choosing compassion over vengeance, the Arnold family found a path to healing and demonstrated the power of forgiveness in overcoming even the deepest wounds of war.

Last updated: October 6, 2024