Escaping the Russian Onslaught: A Family’s Story of Fleeing the Russian Army after Hitler’s Nazi Regime

Set at the height of World War II, Escaping the Russian Onslaught is the untold story of Ruth Meissner’s harrowing journey from her besieged home in Pomerania, Germany, to safety in the middle of Germany. When Ruth Meissner heard hooves clattering on the cobblestones of the family’s country estate of Klein Pobloth, she knew her family was in trouble. Tensions rose as a German equestrian school fleeing the Russians sought refuge in their home. Escaping became imperative for the family’s survival. Ruth risked the only life she’d ever known to save her young children, Susanne, Hans-Georg, and baby Dorlies, from the Russian Army and Hitler’s Nazi Regime. Their harrowing journey began from their home in Pomerania, Germany, to find safety at Schloss Prüzen. The Schloss had a two-way radio, where they heard Pomerania had fallen. By 15 May 1945, they reached Vorrade near Lübeck, where two former friends came to live with the family group. Ruth always remembered her husband’s warning before he left for the Western Front: Ruth, do what you must to save yourself and our children. This is their story.