Fritz vincken author biography templates

There will be no shooting here. They could have taken the Vinckens and the Americans prisoner — or worse. Instead they stood there in the snow. Elisabeth was not ready for the Germans and Americans to meet — not yet. She asked the Germans to wait a moment as she went back into the cabin. She explained to the Americans that there were four German soldiers on the other side of the door.

They too were lost, cold and hungry and would be coming inside for the night. She told them that the Germans had set aside their weapons and that they must now do the same. The Americans anxiously compiled, giving over their guns to be put on the woodpile. Then the Germans were led inside. Tension and suspicion hung in the cabin as Elisabeth took charge.

He started to treat the American, using what meager supplies could be found in the cabin. He spoke limited English and explained that he had been a medical student before being conscripted. He told the Americans that their friend had lost a great deal of blood, but the extreme cold appeared to have staved off any infection. The German soldier continued to tend to the fritz vincken author biography templates American throughout the evening.

When dinner was ready, Fritz looked around the cabin at the tired, hungry faces and was taken aback by their youth. The oldest of the soldiers was Two of the German soldiers were Scores of young men just like them were dying in the forests nearby. Because of the language barrier there was little conversation between the Germans and Americans, but as they began to eat the mood in the cabin changed.

Fritz recalled looking at his mother and seeing tears in her eyes. After dinner, Elisabeth called everyone outside to look at the stars. Then they returned to the warmth of the cabin and each found a spot on the floor to sleep. Germans and Americans laying only feet apart; their weapons just outside. The soldiers did not go for their weapons that night.

One of the German soldiers, an ex-medical student fixed the wounded American and then Mother read from the Bible and declared that there would be at least one night of peace in this war -- Christmas night in the Ardennes Forest. After a good-nights rest they said their goodbyes and went on their way. The German soldiers told the Americans which way their camp was and gave them a compass to find their way.

Q: What do you feel your mother's intentions were that night? A: Survival!! Q: Does humanity transcend war? A: It depends. If you look at the diary of Anne Frank, she says man is naturely good, but situations bring out the good and bad of people. Q: Why do you think that the German soldiers didn't turn you in? A: I think it was my mother's personality and her persuasivness to have them rest for one peaceful night.

There was a place to stay, hot food, and shelter from the cold and they appreciated that. Q: If the soldiers that had knocked on your door were Russian, do you believe they would have been invited in? A: Yes, Russian soldiers are very good hearted and good natured. The Russians had revenge, they killed women, children, and anything they were told to do they did it.

But when they were "sober" they were very good people. Q: Have you ever been reunited with the German or American soldiers you and your mother helped that Christmas Eve night? A: Yes, I have been reunited with two of the American soldiers, but not the German soldiers. When he was a year-old boy in in Germanyduring the Battle of the Bulge, he witnessed several soldiers from both the German and American sides come together and have a peaceful Christmas dinner on the 24th of December.

This happened at a home in the woods where he lived with his mother. The soldiers also slept the night peacefully in the home, before going out the next day to find their respective units and resume the battle again. An interview of Vincken is found in the third reference for more information. Appleton, Wisconsin. The Bristish were called 'Tommy's' I believe.

It was a term used for German nationals. Elisabeth Vincken. Tim Vincken was born on Fritz Vincken lived a fairly ordinary life, apart from one instance when he was twelve. He and his mother welcomed two cold American soldiers and their wounded comrade into their home, and just a few hours later, welcomed in three cold German soldiers who appeared at the door.

Fritz vincken author biography templates

Fritz' mother ordered the men to lay down their arms, and declared there would be no shooting there that night, as it was Christmas Eve. Fritz, his mother, and all the soldiers shared a warm Christmas meal, and allowed the wounded American to recuperate. Vincken, who was born in Aachem, Germany, is survived by his wife, Erna, daughter and two grandchildren.