The Story
I became a paratrooper today. It's going to be a great adventure.
We need to defend our country from all these people who are not real Germans, So many people want to harm Germany. We need to take control.

I will do my patriotic duty along with my friends. I need to tell Mum and Dad now and hope they sign the papers. I hope they are proud but I know they wont be happy, They are like all the other grown ups around me. They just work and try to mind their own business.
Well it's up to me an my friends to protect our fatherland.

The Story
Back at school and who should I see but Rainer. I tried to avoid him all day but when someone attacks you from behind a door there isn't much you can do but fight back. Like all bullies he is a coward when you stand up to him.

He had it coming and now I know he wont bother me again.  I made a new friend too. Herbert is a quiet boy who I have never noticed before. He has offered to tell the headmaster what he saw. Let's hope nobody finds out he has come forward. Nobody likes a snitch.
I hope my Mum doesn't find out. It wasn't my fault.

The Story These Atlantic liners were in Bremen port today. I'll race straight down there on my bike after school tomorrow to take my Dad his lunch.
 
He is lucky to have a job at all. Everyone works double shifts now at the docks. My Mum says things are so expensive in the shop you need two jobs just to buy some bread.

I don't think the people on this liner think it is expensive at all, One of the dockers told me 1 American dollar is worth the same as 1,800 German Marks!

The Story
The ships in dock come from all over the world.  It says where the ship is from on the stern.

Alexandria, New York, Bermuda.

This tells you where the ship is registered. The men at the docks taught me that.

Every few weeks the SS Bremen calls to pick up passengers. It's only for very wealthy people and foreigners.

The people in Bremen are very proud of the liner. It has won the blue ribbon for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.

The Story
I can run to the docks in about 5 minutes. My Dad works there. I have to take him his lunch in between shifts.

He loads and unloads the ships. I love going to the docks. There are ships being loaded and unloaded from early morning until late at night.

Education
Use YouTube we can find rare insight into docker's lives around this time. This video shows London docks at the same time as Berni was visiting his Dad at Bremen docks.

Would Berni recognise the London dock as being the same as Bremen dock?
What would be similar and what would be different?

5 May 1956 - The FA CUP Final at Wembley Stadium, London
The Story
Bert Trautmann, the Manchester City goalkeeper, dives head first at the feet of the onrushing forward in a brave attempt to save a goal, just 17 minutes from the end of the Cup Final. He receives a blow to the head which we later find out has broken a vertebrae in his neck. He is hero to many and well known for his bravery but it wasn't always like that.