Otto and Elise Hampel
Encyclopedia
Otto and Elise Hampel were a working-class couple who created a simple method of protest while living in Berlin during the early years of World War II
. They composed postcards denouncing Hitler
's government and left them in public places around the city. They were eventually caught, tried, and beheaded in Berlin's Plötzensee Prison
in April 1943. Shortly after the end of the war, their Gestapo
file was given to German novelist Hans Fallada
, and their story inspired his now-classic 1947 novel Jeder stirbt für sich allein, recently translated into English and published in 2009 as Every Man Dies Alone
(or Alone in Berlin (UK)). In the novel the details of the Hampels are modified slightly and they are called the Quangels. The American version of the book published by Melville House Publishing
includes an appendix containing some pages from the actual Gestapo file, including mug shots, signed confessions, police reports, and several of the actual postcards used in the protest.
Elise Lemme married Otto Hampel in 1935. She was a domestic servant and a member of the National Socialist Frauenschaft (Women’s League). Otto had served in World War I
and was a factory worker.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. They composed postcards denouncing Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
's government and left them in public places around the city. They were eventually caught, tried, and beheaded in Berlin's Plötzensee Prison
Plötzensee Prison
Plötzensee Prison was a Prussian institution built in Berlin between 1869 and 1879 near the lake Plötzensee, but in the neighbouring borough of Charlottenburg, on Hüttigpfad off Saatwinkler Damm. During Adolf Hitler's time in power from 1933 to 1945, more than 2,500 people were executed at...
in April 1943. Shortly after the end of the war, their Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
file was given to German novelist Hans Fallada
Hans Fallada
Hans Fallada , born Rudolf Wilhelm Friedrich Ditzen in Greifswald, Germany, was a German writer of the first half of the 20th century. Some of his better known novels include Little Man, What Now? and Every Man Dies Alone...
, and their story inspired his now-classic 1947 novel Jeder stirbt für sich allein, recently translated into English and published in 2009 as Every Man Dies Alone
Every Man Dies Alone
Every Man Dies Alone or Alone in Berlin is a 1947 novel by German author Hans Fallada. It is based on the true story of a working class husband and wife, Otto and Elise Hampel, who committed acts of civil disobedience in Berlin during World War II before being caught, tried by infamous Nazi judge...
(or Alone in Berlin (UK)). In the novel the details of the Hampels are modified slightly and they are called the Quangels. The American version of the book published by Melville House Publishing
Melville House Publishing
Melville House Publishing is an independent publisher of literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The company was founded in 2001 by the husband and wife team of Dennis Loy Johnson and Valerie Merians in Hoboken, New Jersey, a location Johnson jokingly called "the Left Bank" of New York City...
includes an appendix containing some pages from the actual Gestapo file, including mug shots, signed confessions, police reports, and several of the actual postcards used in the protest.
Elise Lemme married Otto Hampel in 1935. She was a domestic servant and a member of the National Socialist Frauenschaft (Women’s League). Otto had served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was a factory worker.
External links
- Otto Hermann Hampel (June 21, 1897 - April 08, 1943), biography at Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand (German Resistance Memorial Center)
- Elise Hampel (October 27, 1903 - April 08, 1943), biography at Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand (German Resistance Memorial Center)