This is a true story of world depression, fanatical nationalism, a world at war and the loss of freedom to indifferent Godless German Socialism and Russian Communism. I first heard Arno and Anna's story when I was serving as a Bishop in the Virginia Beach third ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Arno and Anna had been telling anyone who would listen, about their remarkable experiences before, during, and after World War II. People would say to them, in all seriousness, "Someone should make a movie of your lives." There is quote by the Spanish philosopher George Santayana who is credited with the aphorism, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," This is true for us today as it was for the people who lived in the 1930s.
I have added author's comments and historical notes throughout the book where I have felt that an explanation was warranted or the historical context of the situation needed to be amplified or explained. The book title, "For Luck, Angels were Watching" comes from Arno himself. Arno would use this English phrase "for luck" when describing the inspiration he received that directed him in some way. What he meant by this was that the Spirit or Holy Ghost had moved him in a way he could not describe in English.
When I heard Arno and Anna talk about the war, I would ask them a lot of questions. Over the years, I became quite familiar with their intriguing experiences. I would meet with them individually and together and record their answers to my questions. This went on for many years. In 2001 I asked them if I could write their biographies. I felt if their stories were not written down, they would be lost to Arno and Anna's future posterity.
Arno's mother joined the church after being taught by two American missionaries who were teaching in Forest, Germany in 1923. It is very interesting how they both became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their determination to live the gospel of Jesus Christ under the most extreme circumstances. It stands as a testament to their faith in God and the rewards that come from obedience to gospel principles. Besides, the people who heard their stories were captivated by them, as you will be if you read this book.
Most people I know have little or no knowledge or interest in the history of the Great Depression and World War II. I have wondered if we will let the world spin into chaos again considering the Russian incursion into Ukraine.
I recently reread Duane Crowther book Prophecy. Key to the Future. He writes about our Constitution hanging my a single thread and a third world war. To me those things are scary thoughts. When I published this book in November, 2018 I never dreamed we would be talking about Socialism in the United States of America.When I think about the world we now live in, it seems to me we are making the some mistakes that were made from 1920 to 1939 by the NAZI's, which is a German acronym for the National Socialist Party. Just the names have changed. Instead of Hitler-Jugend (Hitler Youth) we have Antifa and BLM (Black lives Matter). We also have the corrupt politicians that cheat at the ballot box and circumvent the Constitution whenever they can. We are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all People.
In spite of my pessimism, I guarantee you will enjoy reading this book.
Thomas Ainscough
