A Children's Rosary - Tapa dura

Author Peter Bodo Gawenda draws on his own first-hand experience as a child living in Germany during WWII to reflect on the impact the war had on children. Born in the Third Reich under Hitler, Gawenda, through a child’s point of view, invites readers to share his family’s heartbreak, joy, humor, and cunning during their days in Oberglogau before their desperate flight from Russian conquerors to the safety of Bavaria. Peter and his brothers saw the war not as military or national history, but as the adventure of everyday living. They experienced bombs dropping, soldiers occupying their home, and prisoners of war marching through the streets—all of which seemed like mere intrusions to their childhood existence. They not only survived, but thrived, during the “Children’s War.” The strength of family ties carried the Gawenda boys through the War and shaped the author’s perspective, making The Children’s War an uplifting reading experience.

Peter Bodo Gawenda completed the German Air Force Academy and was commissioned a lieutenant in the German Air Force. After assignments in the German Army and Air Force and graduation from Command and Staff school, his assignments included squadron commander and staff planner in high-level German Headquarters and in NATO. In the US, he held liaison positions in US Army Schools. He advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel and became a member of the German General Staff, spending an administrative assignment in the prestigious Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (Leadership Academy for German and Foreign Military and Civilians earmarked for high leadership positions) in Hamburg. He spent time in France, Holland, and Denmark and left the German military in 1981 and immigrated to Texas with his family. Peter completed his education with a master’s in international relations and a doctorate in education. He served as one of the vice presidents of The University of Texas at Brownsville.