Many of us can never come close to imagining the terrible hardship faced by soldiers who fought in either of the world wars. Spending every single day focusing solely on survival and camaraderie, the soldiers who survived faced the immense challenge of adjusting back to society. When we learn about the atrocities of the Second World War, it doesn’t truly leave the same impression as when somebody who underwent the fighting recalls and reveals his experiences. Our class was extremely lucky to have somebody who fought in the war come in and share with us his involvement in the Second World War. In early March a man named Helmut Lemke, who fought for the Germans, shared his dramatic and compelling biography.

Helmut Lemke in 1944

Helmut Lemke with his sister

Helmut Lemke in 2010

Helmut Lemke with our class in March, 2016

 

Helmut Lemke was 16 years old, and living in Germany when the war started. At the age of 18 he was drafted into the SS, and fought in the war. After receiving a substantial wound to his shoulder whilst in combat, he was sent to a military hospital. This is where his unbelievably fascinating journey began. Throughout this journey Helmut escaped captivity, cleverly avoided confrontations, and reunited with his mother just in time. Throughout these events, Helmut proved himself to be diligent, brave, and determined, but more than anything else he showed grit.

Grit is defined to be somebody who shows strength, perseverance, courage, and resolve. I do not think there is any better term than this to represent the painstaking events that Helmut faced. Helmut experienced these hardships, yet continued his 720km journey in search of his mother. This shows the compassion and dedication within Helmut, and truly represents his strength as a person.

 

Below is a podcast I completed with Michael Sutherland, in which we go into detail the reasons we believe the term grit represents Helmut’s stories. I hope you enjoy.

Click the image above to watch the podcast.