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 PrintableVersion One woman against the ReichWar of all mothersONE WOMAN AGAINST THE REICH Sixty years on, the events and struggles of World War II remain a fascination for many people. Personal stories of tragedy or heroism continue to emerge. One Woman against the Reich is such a story told by Helmut Ziefle about the experiences of his family, living in the area of Heilbronn. According to the instincts of many readers this family might have been considered to have had the misfortune to have been born 'on the wrong side', but the book makes it clear that these quiet, godly people are on the side of that unnumbered multitude from every tribe and tongue who have patiently endured for Christ's sake. Maria and Georg Ziefle were ordinary Christians and patriotic Germans. In the 1930s Georg worked as a sewing machine salesman; Maria was raising their four children. In those turbulent days when Adolf Hitler was gaining unprecedented power, the Ziefles were facing unprecedented pressure. Formerly trivial matters, like how to greet your neighbour in the street, became critical dilemmas after the German people were instructed to salute each other with 'Heil Hitler'. Then there was the expectation that their children would join the Hitler Youth movement. Add to that the laws over boycotting Jewish traders (Georg got into trouble for shopping in Woolworth's), and the distress over the disappearance of Jewish neighbours. It was dangerous even to ask questions. After war was declared there were the normal anxieties of parents whose sons were in the armed forces, and the appalling experience of heavy and sustained bombing. The Ziefles did not do big heroics. They did not attempt the assassination of Hitler, nor did they in general break the law. Rather, their heroics were in terms of the faithful instruction of their children, of putting God first themselves and teaching their children to do the same and, supremely, of walking by faith. In particular, Helmut honours his mother, Maria, for her prayers, often answered in astonishing ways. Prayer was Maria's subversive action against the Reich and it was stunningly effective. Counter-cultural child-rearing is not something for another time and place, but very much the business of parents in Britain in 2003. The pressures may be more subtle, but they are not less real. We can learn a lot from Frau Ziefle. Beyond that we can be inspired that in times of intense sorrow, pain or weakness on a personal or national scale, God's truth shines out. He enables his people to stand, bloodied but unbowed, until the day breaks and the shadows flee away. Ann Benton,
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