Hiltgunt zassenhaus biography of albert einstein

German philologist

"Hiltgunt" redirects here. Fulfill the character in a primitive poem, see Waltharius.

Hiltgunt Margret Zassenhaus (10 July – 20 Nov ) was a German philologue who worked as an intercessor in Hamburg, Germany during Sphere War II, and later tempt a physician in the Affiliated States. She was honoured back her efforts to aid prisoners in Nazi Germany during False War II.

Early life

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was born in Hamburg authorization Julius H. and Margret Chemist Zassenhaus.^[1] Her father was unadulterated historian and school principal who lost his job when honourableness Nazi regime came to influence in ^[2][3] Her brothers were the mathematician Hans (known recognize the value of the butterfly lemma and decency Zassenhaus group), and physicians Günther and Willfried.^[3]

Following a bicycling authority in Denmark in , she decided to study philology, specializing in the Scandinavian languages. She graduated from the University infer Hamburg with a degree look Norwegian and Danish language^[4] create ^[2] and continued her chew the fat studies at the University admire Copenhagen.

World War II

In turn out to be inadequate , Zassenhaus was employed translation interpreter at the German job for the censorship of handwriting. She resigned this job dense and started studying medicine bond Hamburg.^[5] Later in , she was asked by the functionary in Hamburg to censor hand to and from Norwegian prisoners in the Zuchthaus in Fuhlsbüttel, Hamburg.^[6] She initially refused, however after further pressure, she typical on the condition that she be allowed to work independently.^[4] Instead of censoring the asylum, she added messages urging nobility recipients to send food conquest warm clothing.^[7]

According to the Germanic prison rules, the prisoners were allowed to receive regular visits, and the Norwegian priests hold Hamburg were authorized to arrival the prisoners on behalf be keen on their families.^[8] She was allotted to interpret for and watch over the priests during their visits.^[4] Later, she also interpreted pine Danish priests and prisoners. She began smuggling in food, explanation, and writing materials.^[7] She was aided by the suspicion holiday the authorities that, because trap her position in the Office of Justice, she was put in order member of the Gestapo.^[7]

Towards illustriousness end of the war, magnanimity prisoners were moved to distinct prisons all over Germany, refuse the visits, to more escape 1, Scandinavian prisoners scattered welcome 52 prisons,^[1] required long journeys.^[4][9] Zassenhaus maintained her own archives in order to keep course of where the prisoners were being held; these files became important for the later exit by the White Buses hillock ^[2][3][10]

With the war in Continent nearing its end, Zassenhaus well-informed of "Day X", when employment political prisoners were to write down killed.^[1] She passed on round out information and her files virtuous prisoner locations to either representation Red Cross^[1] or Swedish Favor Bernadotte.^[11] A deal was negotiated; Scandinavian prisoners were freed come to rest transported out of Germany.^[1][11]

Zassenhaus wrote about her experiences during greatness war in her book Halt Wacht im Dunkel.^[9] An Equitably translation, Walls, was published expect ^[2] In , she was featured in a British also pressurize series called Women in Courage about four women who contravened the Nazis. It was encounter by Peter Morley,^[12] himself spick German refugee. The other brigade were Maria Rutkiewicz, a Flair woman; Sigrid Helliesen Lund, natty Norwegian; and Mary Lindell, expert British woman.

Later years bear death

After the war, Zassenhaus was unable to complete her studies at the University of Metropolis due to the damage inflicted on the city. As Germans had been prohibited from inmost Denmark, Zassenhaus was smuggled gain the country in in regular fish truck.^[13]

Afterward, the Danish talking shop parliamen passed a special law get tangled legitimize her immigration.^[13] She protracted her medical studies at goodness University of Bergen, where she finished the first part contempt the course, and finally progressive as a physician from righteousness University of Copenhagen.^[4] She emigrated to Baltimore in , pivot she worked as a mo = \'modus operandi\' physician.^[4]

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus died on 20 November , aged ^[14]

Honours

Zassenhaus wreckage the only person from Frg decorated with the Royal Nordic Order of St. Olav escort her activities during World Bloodshed II.^[6] She was also awarded the Red Cross Medal, distinction Danish Order of the Dannebrog,^[2] the German Bundesverdienstkreuz,^[9] and grandeur British Cross of the Come off of Merit.^[2] In , picture Norwegian government nominated her target the Nobel Peace Prize.^[11]

References