Here’s an extraordinary journey covering four generations stretching from a rags-to-riches bon vivant grandfather to a mixed Baltic German, Swedish and Estonian expanded family’s ups and downs in the torment-tossed 20th century.
The dynamics of a large clan of Baltic Germans and their Estonian relations created some tense moments.
The author’s father, Eduard Reissaar, was a Lt. Colonel in Estonia’s Air Force. One of his duties involved the procurement of aircraft from the United Kingdom. That, in addition to his rank and participation in War of Independence, made him a prime target for the NKVD. The family had a miraculous escape to Germany in March 1941, thanks to Nachsiedlung, only to return five months later to now German-occupied Estonia. Little did they know that some three years later they would have to flee again, this time leaving behind the furniture and household goods that had made the round trip from Germany.
Haldi tells her story with introspection.
Five-year-old Haldi missed her father, who was drafted to serve in the Abwehr, the Wehrmacht’s intelligence service. After the family’s return to Estonia he was lucky to be stationed in Tallinn. As an eight-year-old Haldi was again separated from her father, as he had to continue his military service, which terminated in a POW camp. Haldi’s mother, Elsa, was the heroine of this saga, managing most of the “great flight” alone.
Haldi tells her story with introspection. When her father returns, he’s a changed man. Today we know that horrible experiences can result in post-traumatic stress disorder that calls for psychiatric care. Getting over it back then was up to you. Lucky, if you had some support.
Haldi’s own life experiences in the United States make the book an even better read. Graduating with honors as the only female engineer in her class, coping with gender discrimination in the workplace, and dealing with love and grief attest to a life well lived.
