Ehrenfeld Group

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ehrenfeld Group (sometimes called the Steinbrück Group), was an anti-Nazi resistance group, active in the summer and autumn of 1944. The group, which consisted of over one hundred people, centered around Hans Steinbrück, nicknamed "Bomber Hans," an escaped concentration camp prisoner. Its members included young people, including teens active in the local Edelweiss Pirates group, and people living outside the law, namely escaped prisoners from forced labor camps, deserters, and Jews. On November 10, 1944, thirteen members of the group were publicly hanged in Cologne. Since the end of World War II the question of whether the group engaged in true resistance to the regime has been a matter of public debate.

[edit] Background

Largely destroyed by Allied bombings, the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne was a sanctuary for enemies of the Nazi regime, including escaped prisoners, forced laborers, deserters, and Jews. Steinbrück, who appeared in the neighborhood in July 1943, began to mobilize this group by stockpiling foodstuffs in the cellar of a house where many of these people were hiding. Wary of hording too much food at one time, some was sold on the black market, a practice which caused some of Steinbrück's initial supporters to distance themselves from him.

As the war progressed and the front lines grew closer, Steinbrück encouraged the group to play a more militant role against the Nazi government. Chief among his supporters were the members of the Edelweiss Pirates. Once engaged in tussles with the Hitler Youth, they began to dab anti-government graffiti on walls, shoplifting from grocers and pilfering ration cards. They regarded the group that emerged around Steinbrück as the "Pros," and went so far as procuring small arms, which were used in armed robberies of grocery stores. At one point, a guard and a local youth leader were shot. Plans were even underway to blow up the EL-DE Haus, the local Gestapo headquarters.

[edit] Capture and execution

The growing violence was a cause of concern to the Gestapo, which finally broke the group 3-15 October, 1944. Steinbrück and twelve of his followers were executed without trial on November 10, in front of 1000 curious onlookers of that year. Among the victims were six teens, members of the Edelweiss Pirates:

  • Hans Steinbrück, born 12 April 1921 age 23
  • Günther Schwarz, born 26 August 1928 age 16
  • Gustav Bermel, born 11 August 1927 age 17
  • Johann Müller, born 29 January 1928 age 16
  • Franz Rheinberger, born 22 February 1927 age 17
  • Adolf Schütz, born 3 January 1926 age 18
  • Bartholomäus (Barthel) Schink, born 25 November 1927 age 16
  • Roland Lorent, born 12 March 1920 age 24
  • Peter Hüppeler, born 9 January 1913 age 31
  • Josef Moll, born 17 July 1903 age 44
  • Wilhelm Kratz, born 6 January 1902 age 45
  • Heinrich Kratina, born 15 January 1906 age 38
  • Johann Krausen, born 10 January 1887 age 47

[edit] References

Languages