Gregor Ziemer was a remarkable American educator and war correspondent who resided in Germany from 1928 to 1939, during which period he held the esteemed position of headmaster at the American School in Berlin. As the Nazi regime's ominous presence grew, Ziemer, with his wife Edna's hometown of Lake City, Minnesota, as his destination, fled Germany, leaving behind the uncertainty and danger that loomed ahead.
Notably, Ziemer authored a pair of influential books that offered insightful glimpses into Nazi society: "Education for Death", which inspired the Disney short film "Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi" (1943),as well as Edward Dmytryk's classic film "Hitler's Children" (1943). Additionally, in collaboration with his daughter Patricia, Ziemer penned "Two Thousand and Ten Days of Hitler".
Ziemer's journalistic endeavors continued as he returned to Europe, this time as a correspondent embedded with General George S. Patton's Third Army. His firsthand experiences and knowledge of Nazi society proved invaluable to the Nuremberg Trial prosecutors.
Throughout his life, Ziemer remained a prolific writer, contributing stories and articles to prominent publications such as the Saturday Evening Post. He also authored screenplays and served as a director for the American Foundation for the Blind and the Institute of Lifetime Learning, fostering connections with notable figures, including the renowned musician Hoagy Carmichael.
In a fascinating discovery, a manuscript for a book about the history of water skiing was recently unearthed among Ziemer's papers by one of his publishers, providing a glimpse into his diverse range of interests and pursuits.
