Foreword with an original signature taken from an old postcard "much love from grandpa Theo"

"My Father said: 'The war will be won!' But he didn't say who would win it. They couldn't do anything to change that.
They could take a shit behind the hedge, but they couldn't force him to join the (National Socialist German Workers') Party."

"For hours we had to put our hands straight up and woe betide anyone who dropped them due to overtiredness. That made those Yanks wince. What a bunch of chickenshits!"

"That Theo was glad he was back. At the front door he called out: 'Mother, I am back!' I can still hear him say that. I can still hear it today."