Peter Hilger

War Torn Peter Hilger

Being born in Du?sseldorf, Germany did not make Peter Hilger a German citizen. His father was American born and served as America's consul to Germany. His father's nationality as a U. S. citizen became Peter's. He'd been reared in Germany and, with his Aryan looks and fluent German, had no trouble passing as a citizen. When, after Pearl Harbor, Germany and the United States became enemies, Peter was instantly plunged into peril as an enemy alien. The Gestapo then kept a wary eye on this American family. In medical school at the University of Freiburg, Peter became acquainted with Fritz von Hohenzollern. Had Germany still been a monarchy, Fritz would have been next in line for the throne. When the university was bombed, Fritz gathered Peter and other friends to one of his family's estates. There, protected by the aristocratic family, Peter remained until 1948, cementing a friendship that lasted more than sixty years. "WAR TORN" is the story of Peter's life from 1923 through 1948.