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While so many children experienced the Second World War as a time of shortages, propaganda, separation from their parents and frequent bombing seven year old Gisela, who was a "cunning devil", merrily travelled to the wonderful scenery of Hegau. There she would be spared the terror of the bombs dropped on her hometown of Witten. In the village Randegg she found a loving family and a new home, where she was able to experience many adventures in the surroundings unscared by the fighting. In the stories of Gisela Illian we see how important the security of an affectionate community is for children at hard times.

Gisela Illian, born in 1935, taught in primary schools in Neuss till 1999. She has three children and three grandchildren and lives with her husband in Neuss.

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