Franz Hasel: A

Thousand Shall Shall

Fall

Alvin L. Reyes MD

Theme: Psalm 91 5-7

• Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

• For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, • For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

• A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

This is an incredible story

• About how to work up faith in God. • About faith in action, a Sabbath-keeping family who dared to keep keeping family who dared to keep

their faith in the chaos of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

• About the miraculous acts of the Almighty on behalf of His faithful

people.

World War 2

• Forty-year-old Franz Hasel, a Seventh-day Adventist literature evangelist, was drafted into the German Pioneer Company 699.

• This company built bridges at the front lines.

Before leaving for the war..

• Franz had read in family worship, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day . . . a thousand shall fall at thy day . . . a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee . . . For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways,” Psalm 91:5-11.

The Hasel Family

Franz’s prayer before he left.

• "Please be with us, Father. . . . Help me to be true to my faith, even in the army. Help me so that I will not have to army. Help me so that I will not have to kill anyone."

At the recruitment center

• Hasel announced that he was a Sabbath-keeping Christian, and a conscientious objector. conscientious objector.

• He would be dubbed “carrot eater”and “Bible reader”.

Reporting for duty

• He stated, “I am a Seventh-day Adventist. I worship God on Saturday as the Bible teaches us to do. I would like to be excused from reporting for like to be excused from reporting for duty on my Sabbath day. Also, I do not eat pork or anything else that comes from pigs. I respectfully request permission to receive a substitute whenever pork products are served.”

The Nazi Lieutenant turned beet red…

• “You must be mad, private! This is the German army! This battalion’s going to war, and you want Saturday off?” war, and you want Saturday off?”

• Under his breath he spat out, “It’s just my luck to be saddled with a religious nut!”

Franz Hasel in the Army

Recommitment

• Franz had a pre-sentiment that unlike the earlier, easier conquests of the west, this battle would be long and west, this battle would be long and bloody.

• He recommitted his life to God, and felt reassured that he was in God’s care.

Sept 1,1939

• The Germans crossed the border into Poland. Warsaw surrendered September 29.

In Poland- a wooden gun?

• Franz had a carpenter carve a wooden bracket which he later whittled into a revolver. He used shoe polish to blacken it. polish to blacken it.

• At great risk to his life (where he was almost caught) he threw his real gun in a lake.

• He also had a standard issue holster made.

Standard Issue German Luger & Holster

Franz was an expert marksman.

• But he threw the gun away and could be tempted to kill someone in self defense. defense.

• If this had been discovered by his superiors, he would have been executed.

Why throw away the gun?

• To show God that he is serious about not wanting to kill any human, he disposes of his revolver, putting his life disposes of his revolver, putting his life totally into God’s hands.

• Franz remembered Ludwig Klein, another private who exchanged 50 pounds of butter for his gun.pounds of butter for his gun.

• To give a weapon to the enemy was treason and punishable with death. He was executed that same evening

Nazi Parade in Warsaw

Jews in Lodz, Poland forced to leave for a ghetto

Jews from Warsaw Ghetto

Death at the Belsen camp

Back @ the home front…

• Franz’s wife Helene Hasel and their 3 children had harrowing episodes.

• She kept her children from taking • She kept her children from taking Saturday examinations, and stoutly resisted immense pressure to join the Nazi Party.

The Hasel Children

Joining Vs. Not Joining

• Joining would mean extra ration cards, vacations, and many privileges.

• Not joining would result in difficulty • Not joining would result in difficulty obtaining food, harassment, and possibly arrest. The trials the family faced were incredible.

But Helene Hasel stood firm.

• Seventh-day Adventist Church officials advised caving in to the Nazis, but Helene Hasel stoutly refused to do but Helene Hasel stoutly refused to do so. They had to move to the country to escape arrest. Difficulties ensued there as well.

Hitler Youth which the Hasel children did not join

Adventists die in a bombing raid…

• "The Bible is all lies! God doesn’t protect us. He doesn’t care what happens to us. We might as well not happens to us. We might as well not pray any more."

• These words spill from 7 year-old Gerhard Hasel, who believed that God will protect believers from harm.

His mother, Helene, replies..

• "Pain and tragedy can come to anybody, good and bad alike. The important thing is to believe that God important thing is to believe that God loves us no matter what happens. As long as we are His children, it doesn’t matter if we live or die because in the end, we will live with Him in heaven."

On Fridays it rained ?

• As his Pioneer Corps advanced East, it was amazing how sometimes torrential rains came on Friday, forcing the unit rains came on Friday, forcing the unit to rest on the Sabbath lest they get bogged down in Polish mud.

• By accident, he discovered a group of Jews being executed by the SS. He tried to help save lives, but was rebuffed. rebuffed.

As incredible as it sounds…

• Franz Hasel, with God’s help, kept the Sabbath for almost the entire war, and “coincidences” helped him avoid pork “coincidences” helped him avoid pork as well.

•One time, he disobeyed orders and refused to work on the Sabbath. His officer promised a court martial after the war.

War Medal

• He earns the Maltese Cross because of his "good moral influence on the men in the entire company."

• Franz is promoted and received new benefits, such as being relieved of all benefits, such as being relieved of all outdoor work.

June 22, 1941

• At 3 o’clock am Hitler launched the invasion of Russia. The Russians were surprised by the attack.

•On June 30 the awaited order arrived: The Pioneers were to enter Russia the following day.

• Pioneer Company 699 moved into Russia as far as the Caucasus. They felt they had arrived in Eden with they had arrived in Eden with grapevines and pomegranates heavy with fruit.

Franz’ Unit

• The people were friendly, welcoming the Germans as liberators from Communist rule. For the time being the Communist rule. For the time being the Pioneers were stationed near Mount Elbrus, at 18,510 feet the highest mountain in Europe.

Mount Elbrus

Back to war…

• His sergeant notices that he is the man in their company who does not get even a scratch or a bruise. The bullets even a scratch or a bruise. The bullets always seem to miss Franz.

Guardian Angel ?

• His sergeant declares, "From now on, you and I will share the same quarters! You are going to be my guardian You are going to be my guardian angel!"

Moscow 1941

Stalingrad 1942

Stalingrad 1942

• Part of his job was to go into the next town and obtain food for the unit. He would warn all Jews to run for their would warn all Jews to run for their lives before the German army got there.

• Discovery of his heroic deeds would mean instant execution.

• Although suspected of being a disguised Jew, Franz somehow always is able to follow his principles.is able to follow his principles.

Daniel 2

• At one time he explained the Daniel 2 prophecy to Captain Miekus, Sergeant Erich and his nemesis Lieutenant Gutschalk.Lieutenant Gutschalk.

When he reached the toes…

• “Herr Captain,” he said, “the only conclusion a Bible student can come to is that the Fuehrer cannot win this war. It will not be possible for him to unite Europe and establish his him to unite Europe and establish his thousand-year Third Reich.”

• He looked earnestly into the Captain's face. “Sir, the Bible’s predictions have been proved accurate again and been proved accurate again and again. And if they’re accurate here, it means that we’re fighting a losing battle.”

A week later the captain said…

• “Hasel, from now on we will no longer operate a third of our motorized vehicles. The gasoline we will save so vehicles. The gasoline we will save so that when the end comes we will have enough fuel to get back home.”

Stalingrad 1943

Soviet Offensive Leningrad 1943

German POWs

At the face of defeat…

• As the war wound down to an ignominious German defeat, Franz’s unit retreated from the Caucasus back to Caucasus back to Germany, in a mad dash to surrender to the Americans rather than the Russians.

By a mere 30 minutes…

• Pioneer Company 699 retreated and entered Germany minutes ahead of the Russians.the Russians.

• At 10:30 a.m. Franz crossed the bridge over the river Enns, just before the border closed. They had just made it into American territory.

The Russians reach Berlin

Victory Parade. Red Square, Moscow, June 24, 1945

At the other side..

• American told them to “Stop!” and gestured to one pile . “Weapons here. Ammunition there.”

• Franz unbuttoned his holster and • Franz unbuttoned his holster and tossed his wooden “revolver” on the heap.

• His friend Willi’s eyes started from their sockets. “Franz,” he asked, “What on earth is that thing?”

My angel has a wooden gun?

• “That’s my gun,” said Franz, eyes twinkling. “I had it made in Poland and got rid of my real one there.” got rid of my real one there.”

• “Are you crazy?” asked Willi. • Sergeant Erich stared even harder at

Franz. This was the man he’d chosen to be his guardian angel during the entire war!

The American colonel interrogated Hasel…

• “I see in your service record a notation that you are to be court-martialed after the war.” after the war.”

• “Yes, sir,” said Franz. • “What did you do to earn this?”

Franz’s answer

• “I refused an order for religious reasons. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and I keep the Sabbath Adventist, and I keep the Sabbath holy. Once, on my day of rest, there was an attack, and I refused to do duty because it was the Sabbath.”

• “You can’t be serious. All through the war you kept the Sabbath in the Nazi army, and you survived?”army, and you survived?”

• “Yes, sir. God protected me, even in the German army.”

• “That’s amazing,” said the colonel. “I’m a Jew myself, by the way. Even in the American army I don’t keep the Sabbath because it’s too difficult.” Sabbath because it’s too difficult.”

• “Colonel,” Franz said boldly, “I recommend that you keep the Sabbath.”

To one of his officers…

• "Because of my Christian beliefs, you have wanted to do away with me all during the war. Now those same during the war. Now those same Christian beliefs are going to be your salvation because I am not going to turn you in for war crimes."

• Franz Hasel was released by the American forces only ten days after he surrendered. His youngest son Gerd surrendered. His youngest son Gerd was the first to meet him along the road some distance from the village.

• Soon Helene was in his arms. There would be difficult days of famine and hardship ahead. Yet the war was hardship ahead. Yet the war was over, and they were safe.

Family reunion

• The family knelt together while Franz prayed. “Lord, all through the war You protected us and, in the end, brought protected us and, in the end, brought us back together safely. Thank you. Thank you!”

A Mighty Fortress

• The family rose, formed a circle, and once again sang their favorite hymn: – “A mighty fortress is our God . . . “We will – “A mighty fortress is our God . . . “We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us . . . “The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.”

• At the end of the war, when they return to their city of Frankfurt, the Hasels discover that their home is still standingdiscover that their home is still standingamidst the destruction.

Frankfurt after the war

1,200 minus 7= 1,193

• All but seven of his 1,200-man unit died in the war. Three of whom were not wounded; wounded;

• Franz Hasel, the man with the wooden pistol is one of these three.

Franz at peace-time

Susi Hasel

• Susi Hasel was born in 1943 to Franz and Helene Hasel. She is married and currently is the Registrar of Pacific Union College, Angwin, California. (email: smundy@puc.edu) California. (email: smundy@puc.edu)

Gerhard F. Hasel

•Gerhard became Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Andrews University. Andrews University.

Some lessons from Franz Hasel’s life:Hasel’s life:

1. Be true to your faith.

• The truth will always be true- no matter who twists it. It cannot be hid. It will always come out.

• Stand on the truth.• Stand on the truth.

Loyalty unto death!

• Practice loyalty to self, family, friends, truth and God.

• Don’t sell your principles for money, position, privileges.position, privileges.

Our High Calling p357

• Daniel did not seek to hide his loyalty to God. He did not pray in his heart, but with his voice, aloud, with his window voice, aloud, with his window open toward Jerusalem, he offered up his petition to heaven.

2. The majority isn’t always right.

• Be aware of the “mob” reaction.• Be wary of people who force their

morality on others (esp. leaders).

The SDA Church Apology: Late by 60 years

• Church Leaders say “We’re Sorry”: German and Austrian Churches apologize for Holocaust actions. (May 2005 Advent Echo)

• We "deeply regret" any participation in or support of Nazi activities during the war. The church bodies "honestly confess" a failure "in following our Lord" by not protecting Jews, and others, from that era's genocide.

Acts of the Apostles p68

• In matters of conscience the majority has no power."– Merle d'Aubigne, History of the – Merle d'Aubigne, History of the Reformation, b. 13, ch. 5.

3. Determine not to kill.

•Make a stand on combat duty, abortion and euthanasia.

•We also kill ourselves with bad health habits.habits.

•We can also kill reputations by gossip and kill others’ faith by bad example.

4. Know & trust God personally.

•Walk with God on a daily basis.• Trust Him on minor and large, secular

and spiritual issues.

• Remember, you are set aside for a holy purpose.

• You are not to copy the ways of the world- in ways of the world- in speech, dress, food, methods and actions.

Gospel Workers p373

•We must know Christ personally. Then only can we rightly represent Him to the world. Let the prayer constantly the world. Let the prayer constantly ascend…Wherever we are, we must let our light shine forth to the glory of God in good works. This is the great, important interest of our life.

5. Keep the Sabbath.

• Keep the Sabbath (including the edges) and it will keep you.

Isaiah 58:13, 14

• If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of Jehovah delight, and the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine ownwords:

The 2nd Commandment with a Promise

•…then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

God’s Amazing Grace p.156

• It (the Sabbath) is the sign that now distinguishes God's people as they come out from the world to enter the come out from the world to enter the heavenly rest. The Sabbath is a sign of a relationship existing between God and His people, a sign that they honorHis law.

Gospel Workers p209

• Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and who sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability,and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight,

Cont…

• --these the angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength was given them. – Vol. 2, p. 702. – Vol. 2, p. 702.

The Sabbath a sign

• In all ages the Sabbath has been the test of loyalty to God. "It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever," the Lord declares.forever," the Lord declares.

•Gospel Workers, pp. 148, 149. (1915)

Final Word From Our Sponsor

• Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; day;

• For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Psalm 91: 7

• A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Salamat po.