BRAVE FACE

The inspiring WWII Memoir of a Dutch/German Child

The Blue of the Sky

Near the Oranje Hotel prison in Scheveningen,  there was a lovely park. It was called Klein Zwitserland. The grass was green and soft. No fire ants, like where I live now. I used to walk there and lie down, looking up at the trees and imagining that I was lying on top...

Frits in the Army

In those days, there was conscription of all young males of 18, with the usual exceptions. Frits did not qualify for any exception. He was not very pleased to enter the armed forces. I am not sure what the pay was, except that it was enough to buy a daily packet of...

When I Met Frits

1952. It was Sunday afternoon at the Ann en Wim Smit Dance School. Excitement rose as the new pupils came in, one by one or in small groups. I was lucky to be there. Five days ago, I had turned 17, and I was given permission to follow the intermediate ballroom classes...