Somehow you either have to show the damage was done before you moved in, or she has to show it was done while you were living there. If the son has agreed the damage existed before you were there that will strengthen your argument considerably.
Hopefully you've documented what you found in your repairs and the communications with your landlord. If so, she doesn't have much of a case.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.