"In the Shelter (1942) Summary

The steel door to the air raid shelter is locked when the narrator's family arrives, but Resch opens when father hammers. Resch wears a steel helmet and armband. No one answers the "Heil Hitler!" greeting. Women, infants, and old men are scattered around the room, each with luggage. A pair of lovers embraces in a corner. The man is a sergeant. The narrator's family sits where it always does, near the fresh air pump. Resch interrupts the sergeant, boasting of German power. The sergeant says that the Allies will easily replace any planes shot down today. Overhead bombs are falling in groups, and the narrator's mother sighs, "The poor boy!" There is pounding at the door, but Resch refuses to see who is whimpering outside. The sergeant demands he open up, and mother recognizes Friedrich's voice and calls...