Under the Iron Bridge

Paul Ritter, 15, lives in Düsseldorf, Germany, and does not agree with Hitler’s pre-World War II anti-Semitic messages. He is also good friends with a Jewish girl. However, despite his misgivings, Paul eventually succumbs to the pressure from those around him – including his school teacher, Herr Bentz and his close friend and neighbour, Harold – and joins the Hitler Youth group. Harold has assured Paul that the Youth group isn't bad. The boys sing songs, go on camping trips, hear about how wonderful their Führer (leader) is, and do exercises to build up their strength. But, as time passes and political tensions increase, the activities of the Hitler Youth group – and Herr Bentz’s lessons – become increasingly malevolent. After Herr Bentz teaches that all Jews are the enemy of the state, as is anyone who even speaks out against the Führer, Paul is shocked to see Ernst, another of his classmates, neighbours, and avid member of the Youth group, betray his own parents to the Gestapo (Nazi Secret Police).

Harold is badly injured in a Youth group exercise, and, while he is housebound recovering, Ernst makes it clear that he wants to be closer friends with Paul. Paul wants nothing to do with the junior Nazi, Ernst.

One day when Harold is still laid up and Paul is trying to find some time to himself, he returns to a lake in the countryside where he last had a lovely time with Analia, the Jewish girl he likes. While there, he hears people singing songs about being free of Hitler. Paul follows the sound of the music and eventually meets up with some of the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of youths committed to resisting Hitler’s Nazi edicts. Paul eventually decides to join these freedom fighters while continuing to be part of the Hitler Youth group to avoid getting in trouble. In the meantime, Harold has come around to Paul’s way of thinking and – while he doesn’t know about the Edelweiss Pirates – proves a calm and clever ally for his friend. Ernst senses Paul’s lack of commitment to the Führer and almost catches him in an act of sabotage with the Edelweiss Pirates. After a couple of close calls with the Gestapo, Paul feels compelled to leave his parents’ home in order to help Analia escape being sent to a concentration camp. The story ends with an “Epilogue” that takes place in November, 1946, eight years after Paul and Analia fled Düsseldorf.

Under the Iron Bridge, part of the “Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers” series, is a fast-paced, compelling story that offers some insight into how Hitler’s Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda* stoked anti-Semitism in Germany before the start of World War II. As well, readers learn of the Edelweisspiraten (Edelweiss Pirates), a group of approximately 5,000 teens from cities across Germany, who aided Jews during the Holocaust.* The informative “Author’s Note” (following the “Epilogue”), also addresses Kristellnacht, the scene described in the above excerpt, and the Hitler Youth movement.

Author Kathy Kacer does an excellent job of showing why Paul Ritter does not succumb to the Nazi’s propaganda. However, Under the Iron Bridge would have benefitted from further showing readers why so many young German males, like Ernst, were so readily swayed.

*As per the Author’s Note at the end of the book.