Resident recalls World War II experiences in first book
by BREANN HOWELL West Seneca Editor

REMEMBERING - East Amherst resident Sam Benenati clutches his uniform cap during the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Recognition Day Ceremony held on Sept. 15 at the Hearthstone Manor. A former POW, Benenati served in the Army. Photo by John Rusac

In his book, "Children of Our Own War, A Boy's Journey," former Snyder resident Fred Bonisch shares his experience of growing up in war-torn Germany during and immediately after World War II.

Raised in the town of Duingen, located in northern Germany, Bonisch, now a West Seneca resident, reflects on the frequent air raids of nearby cities and the American occupation of his hometown.

"The story really starts at age 5," he said. "It's my recollections of what occurred during the last two years of the war."

Bonisch said his medium-sized hometown was surrounded by Hamlin, Hanover and other major cities. Whenever there was an air raid on any of those cities, Bonisch's family would seek shelter in their home's potato basement, hoping not to be hit.

"Because the cities were very close, we knew once the bombers came over the British Channel, we had about 10 or 15 minutes," he said. "We would feel the impact day and night. It was just minutes until they came back and once the sound disappeared, we knew it was safe again."

Bonisch noted that because he and his brothers and sister were young, they did not always understand what was going on.

"I would always look at the faces of adults and the amount of fear they showed during bomb raids," he said. "These were my perceptions I sort of relied on."

Because men were away fighting, Bonisch's book also focuses on how mothers had to protect and provide for their families. Bonisch's own father became a prisoner of war in 1943.

The novel also has a lighter side, which describes Bonisch's childhood stories and games.

Bonisch goes on to give his impressions of the American takeover of his town, an event which inspired him to emigrate to the United States when he was 20 and later serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

"For us, rather than an occupation, it was a day of liberation," he said.

Bonisch recalled that the American soldiers were very positive and helpful. He said the American soldiers had movements that were much less complicated than those of the German soldiers.

Bonisch said his intentions in writing "Children of Our Own War" was not to place blame on anyone.

Though his book does not really touch on the Holocaust, Bonisch acknowledges the shame Germans inherited from the war.

"For generations, Germans were reluctant to talk about the war and its effects," he said. "I've traveled to Israel quite a few times. Their suffering was far greater than ours."

Aside from the fact that he always hoped to write a novel, Bonisch had several other reasons for wanting to tell his story.

"I wanted to leave a legacy for my children, to show them where I've come from and what I've gone through," he explained.

Bonisch added that he also hopes to give credence to mothers who raise children during wars.

"Children of Our Own War," which took Bonisch about two years to write, will be available soon at local bookstores. It is currently available on ama zon.com.