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Winning her first Grand Slam at 28, Angelique Kerber is an example of a talented later bloomer in tennis. The former World No. 1 German player is known for her defensive tactics, speed, and footwork. She blamed a 2-week COVID-related quarantine for her loss at the 2021 Australian Open.
Bert Trautmann was a German football player who played as a goalkeeper for popular teams like Manchester City and St Helens Town. He made 508 appearances for the Manchester City from 1949 to 1964. Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Bert Trautmann was made an inductee of the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame in 2005.
German composer and big band leader James Last, who headed the James Last Orchestra, had begun his career as a jazz bassist. At 17, he led the Becker-Last Ensemble, which disbanded after 7 years. He is known for his dance hits, especially his iconic Non-Stop Dancing albums.
Heinz Linge went from being a bricklayer to a Schutzstaffel official. He joined Adolf Hitler’s household staff, as his valet. Stationed at the Führerbunker with Hitler during the fall of the Nazis, he was eventually tasked with cremating Hitler’s body. Captured by the Red Army, he later penned a memoir.
Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was a German submarine commander who served in Nazi Germany's navy Kriegsmarine during World War II. Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock played an important role in the Battle of the Atlantic where he was one of the most successful U-boat commanders against the Allies. In 1941, he was honored with the prestigious Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Adolf Bastian was a German polymath best known for his contributions to the progression of ethnography. He is also credited with making immense contributions to the progression of anthropology as a discipline. Bastian's theory of the Elementargedanke led to Carl Jung's theory of archetypes. Adolf Bastian's work also had a great impact on Franz Boas and Joseph Campbell.
Robert Dorsay was a German actor, singer, and dancer. He is best remembered for his work in popular German films like A Girl from the Chorus, To New Shores, Adventure in Warsaw, and Love Letters from Engadin. Robert Dorsay was also a revolutionary. He was murdered in October 1943 for defamation of National Socialism and defeatism.
German theater designer Heinrich Wendel is best remembered for his association with the Wuppertal and the German Opera. He pioneered new techniques of photography and projection in theater. His best-known works include the 1971 production of The Soldiers and the 1965 production of The Coronation of Poppea.
