Introduction

In Episode 3: "Into The Fire" of "The Man Who Calculated Death" by PodcastOne, host Suzanne Rico delves deeper into her family's tumultuous past during World War II. Tasked with completing her dying mother Gabriele's unfinished memoir, Suzanne and her sister Stephanie uncover startling truths about their ancestry, particularly concerning their grandfather, inventor Robert Lesser, and his intricate involvement with the Third Reich. This episode masterfully intertwines personal narratives with historical insights, shedding light on the moral complexities and enduring impacts of war on a family.

The RAF's Bombing Campaign: A Childhood Defined by Fire

The episode opens with a vivid portrayal of the Royal Air Force's (RAF) controversial bombing offensive against German cities in 1942. Suzanne sets the scene by contrasting the detached accounts of bomber pilots with the harrowing experiences of civilians on the ground.

Heidi Lesser [00:25]: "Carpet bombing, they called it, was always done at night, and it was done in waves."

Suzanne Rico [00:40]: "In 1942, when England decided to unleash the full power of its air force on German cities, Tanteheidi was nine years old."

Listeners are transported to the Luftwaffe tactics, where the first wave of bombers would illuminate the sky with "Christmas trees" to mark bombing zones, followed by waves of incendiary and explosive bombs known as Sprengbomben. These devastating attacks not only targeted infrastructure but also aimed to break the spirit of German civilians.

Heidi Lesser [01:17]: "The first wave of airplanes would drop what we called Christmas trees. They would light up the sky in a square and mark the area which was supposed to be bombed."

The intense bombing led to massive firestorms, rendering entire cities unrecognizable and forcing families into cramped, smoky shelters where survival was uncertain.

Heidi Lesser [04:31]: "When we looked out of the door, we saw that the entire sky from one end to the other was orange. And none of us knew whether our parents were alive or dead."

Robert Lesser: From Esteemed Inventor to Nazi Scapegoat

Central to the episode is the unraveling story of Robert Lesser, once a celebrated technical director at the Heinkel Aircraft Factory. Robert's brilliance in aviation engineering earned him prestigious accolades, including the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross. However, his meteoric rise was abruptly halted in 1941 due to political intrigue within the Nazi hierarchy.

Suzanne Rico [09:28]: "Not only did he have a top tier job at a top tier firm, he'd also received one of the highest awards bestowed by the Third Reich, the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross."

Robert's outspoken criticism of project timelines led to his dismissal, making him a target in the cutthroat environment of Nazi Germany. Accusations of sabotage and treason emerged, branding him as a Staatsfeind (enemy of the state).

Tantaheidi [12:07]: "They said he lied and neglected his duties and was a Staatsfeind."

Expert insights from Professor Erhard Milch of Ruhr University illuminate the political rivalry that ensnared Robert. A fierce power struggle between Colonel General Ernst Udet and Milch resulted in Robert being scapegoated amidst escalating tensions.

Erhard Milch [13:49]: "Well, you could say these guys hated each other."

Despite the adversities, Robert exhibited remarkable resilience. Faced with impending doom, he penned a 20-page memorandum to Milch, proposing innovative designs that would eventually lead to the development of the V1 Vergeltungswaffen (Vengeance Weapon 1), a pioneering guided missile.

Suzanne Rico [22:07]: "And then ends with a little strategic ass kissing."

This strategic move not only salvaged his career but also positioned him at the forefront of Germany's missile program, intertwining his fate irrevocably with the nation's wartime advancements.

Life in Rostock and Kassel: Navigating War and Personal Turmoil

Robert's relocation to Rostock marked the beginning of a precarious period for the Lesser family. While Suzanne's younger siblings found moments of joy even amidst soldiers and uncertainty, the family grappled with Robert's tarnished reputation and subsequent house arrest.

Suzanne Rico [07:39]: "The four Lesser sisters and their mom travel by train. And as they chug along through a Germany quickly transforming into a country at war, Troudi and Heidi, who are 7 and 9, manage to find fun."

The family's move to Kassel in 1943 offered a semblance of normalcy as Robert resumed work at the Gerhard Fieseler aircraft factory, but the shadows of war loomed large. The children were conscripted into the Hitler Youth Camps (Kinderlandverschikungslager), where indoctrination was rampant.

Heidi Lesser [27:16]: "It gets me that the people say, you were in the Hitler Youth. And I said, listen, you guys, it wasn't like the Girl Scouts. You didn't have a choice when you were 10, on April 20th, that's when you went in."

Despite the oppressive environment, Fraulein Buchner, a camp leader with anti-Nazi sentiments, provided a semblance of hope and resistance for the children. Her clandestine efforts to undermine Nazi indoctrination underscore the complex moral landscapes navigated by individuals during the war.

Surviving the Kassel Bombing: A Family's Ordeal

A pivotal moment in the episode recounts the Kassel bombing on October 22, 1943, where the city was devastated by a massive Luftwaffe attack. Suzanne's mother, Gabriele, shares harrowing memories of the night, highlighting the chaos and loss endured by her family.

Heidi Lesser [31:54]: "The whole sky was red and her face was so, so telling. I could see the absolute horror of what she was seeing because the sky could not be that red without the whole city burning."

In a dramatic retelling, Gabriele describes how her husband, Robert, heroically rushed back into the burning building to save their children, epitomizing the desperate measures families took to protect one another amidst relentless assaults.

Gabi Lesser [37:41]: "Papa runs out dragging a stumbling ghost. He shouts, pulls. It's my sister behind him. She's crying so hard."

This traumatic event not only reshaped the family's future but also left indelible scars, reinforcing the profound personal costs of war beyond the grand narratives of history.

Uncovering Hidden Truths: The Memoir and Beyond

As Suzanne and Stephanie sift through their mother's memoir, they uncover critical insights into Robert Lesser's work and the ethical dilemmas he faced. The revelation of Robert's involvement in developing the V1 missile raises profound questions about his legacy and the broader implications of his contributions to warfare technology.

Suzanne Rico [23:53]: "The memorandum turns out to be a brilliant tactical move. The Field Marshal summons my grandfather to the Air Ministry. But he doesn't want to talk about war crimes or hangings. Instead, he hands Robert Lesser the designs for a top secret wonder weapon."

The family's journey through these revelations not only illuminates the intricate connections between personal lives and historical events but also challenges Suzanne to reconcile her family's past with the moral complexities of wartime actions.

Conclusion: Reflections on Legacy and History

"Into The Fire" serves as a poignant exploration of how war intertwines with individual lives, shaping destinies and legacies in unforeseen ways. Through Suzanne Rico's meticulous storytelling, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the Lesser family's struggles, resilience, and the enduring quest to unearth and make sense of their past. The episode elegantly balances personal narratives with historical analysis, offering a comprehensive view of the multifaceted impacts of World War II on a single family.

Suzanne Rico [38:58]: "Coming up on the man who calculated death."

As the episode concludes, Suzanne leaves audiences eager for further revelations and the continued unraveling of her family's intricate ties to one of history's most devastating conflicts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Heidi Lesser [00:25]: "Carpet bombing, they called it, was always done at night, and it was done in waves."

• Suzanne Rico [04:31]: "When we looked out of the door, we saw that the entire sky from one end to the other was orange. And none of us knew whether our parents were alive or dead."

• Tantaheidi [12:07]: "They said he lied and neglected his duties and was a Staatsfeind."

• Heidi Lesser [27:16]: "It gets me that the people say, you were in the Hitler Youth. And I said, listen, you guys, it wasn't like the Girl Scouts."

• Gabi Lesser [37:41]: "Papa runs out dragging a stumbling ghost. He shouts, pulls. It's my sister behind him. She's crying so hard."

• Suzanne Rico [23:53]: "The memorandum turns out to be a brilliant tactical move."

These quotes encapsulate the emotional and historical depth of the episode, highlighting the personal struggles and broader implications of Robert Lesser's actions during the war.

Final Thoughts

Episode 3: "Into The Fire" deftly weaves a narrative that is both deeply personal and historically significant. Suzanne Rico's exploration of her family's past offers listeners a compelling blend of memoir and investigative journalism, urging reflection on how individual lives are inextricably linked to the tides of history. As Suzanne continues her quest to complete her mother's memoir, listeners are left anticipating the profound discoveries and reckonings that lie ahead.