Former Missourian Columnist Writes His Second Book

In a book about life in Heilbronn, Germany, during the 1940s and ’50s, Charles G. Coy, Washington, tells the story of his fräulein and himself as a soldier in the U.S. Army.

The book has pictures of World War II airplanes, bombed Heilbronn and Teutonic Knights and St. Kilian’s Church, etc.

“With the advent of mass bombing raids and rocket attacks on population centers during World War II, tens of thousands of women and children were killed,” Coy said.

“But nothing was as devastating in European war history as the British firebombing of German cities. The British said this was retaliation for Germany’s conventional bombing of English population centers.

“The firebombing destruction left a lasting remembrance in Heilbronn to this day.

“After the firebombs did their destruction, Heilbronn survivors kept their faith in God. They began to rebuild Heilbronn into a modern city.”

With this backdrop, an American soldier and his fräulein traveled the road to falling in love and getting married. During this journey the couple traveled to several places of interest in Europe.

Coy is a University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate and a graduate of Liberty University School of Religion. After working for over 22 years for The Missourian, Coy retired from full-time journalism.

He writes a weekly blog at charlesgartoncoy.com.

“Mein Fräulein von Heilbronn a/N” is on sale at The Missourian’s Washington office for $12.95.