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The Day the Nazis Came

My Childhood Journey from Britain to a German Concentration Camp

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The Day the Nazis Came

By: Stephen R. Matthews
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
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About this listen

By the time he was six years old, Stephen Matthews had been bombarded by the Luftwaffe and deported from occupied Guernsey along with his family to a prison camp in the heart of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. He had seen men die in front of him and walked with Jews straight off the cattle-trucks from Bergen-Belsen. He had nearly drowned, been menaced by Alsatian guard dogs, beaten by a member of the SS, stranded in a minefield and had his hand broken by a German guard for attempting to feed Russian prisoners.

The family kept going through imprisonment, held together by their will to survive and their love for each other. But the island home they eventually returned to had been scarred and stricken by Nazi occupation.

The Day the Nazis Came is an utterly unique memoir, depicting the world of Nazi prison camps through the eyes of a child - a world in which the real dangers often seemed trivial and every day was a new adventure. Above all, it pays tribute to the preciousness of hope and shows that human kindness may flower in the unlikeliest of places.

©2020 Stephen R. Matthews (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK 20th Century Historical Military Modern War Survival
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Most relevant
Brilliant story had me curious from the start loved it, thought the little boy brilliant

Fab

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Interesting read highlighting how close to home the war affected people. It never crossed my mind that the Channel Islands were affected in this way

War through the eyes of a child

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The story of the invasion of the Channel Islands was known to me only vaguely. This account gives a vivid account of daily family life before, during and after the invasion. It’s characterised by it’s positive attitude to any situation and the determination of all those portrayed never to give up as well as the support network of friends and family.
The time in the concentration camp is a similarly fair account. The acceptance of people of all races, the willingness to help each other and learn from everyone’s experiences is enlightening. The Germans encountered are portrayed according to their actions and attitude towards the prisoners.
Most telling is the contact and friendships firmed and mostly still maintain bed between friends and foes alike.
The narration is excellent.
Highly recommended

Balanced Account

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Good read, well delivered and far to close to home for many British nationals still alive today.

Good historical read of what could have been for many.

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Memories of a young boy sent to a concentration camp with his family, but lived to share his memories of this terrible time. Well written and narrated and a great insight into those difficult times during the war!

Memories of a man as a young boy sent to a concent

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