A Thousand Shall Fall

Franz Hasel, a 40-year-old pacifist, loving family man, and the conference publishing director in Germany before WWII, found himself drafted in 1939 into Hitler's elite force for building bridges at the front lines. His superiors sarcastically dubbed him "carrot eater" and "Bible reader," but his courage and consistency finally won the respect of his unit. Just before he was sent deep into Russia -- where all but 7 of his 1,200-man unit would die -- he secretly discarded his gun, fearing that, as the company sharpshooter, he might be tempted to kill. In Russia he faced a new problem: how to warn the local Jews before the SS got to them.

Meanwhile, back at home, Franz's wife, Helene, and their 4 children were fighting their own battles. Their chance of survival? Dim. Their only ally? God. In just a few short years this family lived several lifetimes of danger. As thousands around them fell victim to the horrors of war, they were borne up on angels' wings -- sometimes quite literally.

This is the true, soul-stirring story of one desperate family who chose to be faithful whatever the cost, and who found refuge in the shadow of the Almighty.