Who was Wilm Hosenfeld? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

German Celebrities Born In May

Also Known As: Wilhelm Adalbert Hosenfeld

Died At Age: 57

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Annemarie Krummacher (m. 1920)

children: Detlev Hosenfeld, Jorinde Krejci-Hosenfeld

Born Country: Germany

Military Leaders German Men

Died on: August 13, 1952

place of death: Stalingrad, Soviet Union

More Facts

awards: Righteous Among the Nations
Iron Cross

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1

What was Wilm Hosenfeld's role during World War II?

Wilm Hosenfeld was a German officer who served in the Wehrmacht during World War II.
2

How did Wilm Hosenfeld help Polish Jews during the war?

Wilm Hosenfeld helped Polish Jews by providing them with food, shelter, and protection, risking his own life in the process.
3

Was Wilm Hosenfeld recognized for his humanitarian efforts after the war?

Wilm Hosenfeld was posthumously recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem for his efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust.
4

What is the book or movie that brought Wilm Hosenfeld's story to public attention?

Wilm Hosenfeld's story gained public attention through the book "The Pianist" by Władysław Szpilman and its subsequent film adaptation directed by Roman Polanski.
5

How did Wilm Hosenfeld's actions impact the lives of those he helped during the war?

Wilm Hosenfeld's actions had a profound impact on the lives of those he helped, providing hope and salvation to many individuals facing persecution and danger during the Holocaust.

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German Military Leaders

Career

During the initial years of his professional life, Wilm Hosenfeld was a teacher. He was known to be employed at a village school in Pessart. However, as he was an advocate of progressive and less authoritative didactic views, he often got into trouble with his colleagues and the school administration.

He was eventually attracted to the ideologies of national socialism. What he liked the most was the idea of forming a people's community. He became a member of SA (Sturmabteilung) in 1933, and later in 1935, he joined N.S.D.A.P., which stood for National Socialist Deutsche Arbeiter Partei (or National Socialist German Workers Party).

When Germany attacked Poland in 1939, Hosenfeld was drafted into the Wehrmacht as a Feldwebel (sergeant). Between September 1939 and January 1945, he was stationed in Poland. Initially, he was involved in setting up a camp for the prisoners of war of the Polish army. In 1941, he was promoted to Oberleutnant as well as named sports officer of the Kommandatur in Warsaw. He was made responsible for the sports education of the German forces.

With time, he was shocked and disappointed by the bad treatment of the Poles and Jews by his fellow Germans. He also felt sympathy for the Polish population and decided to stand up for them. He helped some of the victims survive and escape. He helped Leon Warm survive by employing him in the sports stadium with a false identity. He also helped a Jewish man named Wladyslaw Szpilman.

In January 1945, he was captured by the Soviets. For his alleged war crimes, he received a sentence of 25 years in prison. In 1950, when Szpilman learnt about Hosenfeld’s imprisonment, he tried to help him and contacted Jakub Berman, the head of the Polish secret police. However, Berman told him that as he was with the Soviets, there was nothing he could do.

Hosenfeld died in a Soviet prison camp on 13th August 1952, probably due to injuries sustained during torture.

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Family & Personal Life

Wilm Hosenfeld was born on 2nd May 1895, in Mackenzell, in the German Empire, to a Roman Catholic family. He married Annemarie Krummacher in 1920. She came from a liberal Protestant family.

Facts About Wilm Hosenfeld

Wilm Hosenfeld was known for his love of music, particularly classical music. He played the piano and enjoyed listening to various composers and pieces.

Hosenfeld had a deep appreciation for literature and poetry. He often quoted poetry in his writings and discussions, showing his intellectual curiosity and sensitivity.

Despite the difficult circumstances he faced during World War II, Hosenfeld maintained a strong sense of morality and compassion. He risked his own safety to help save and protect many individuals, including several Jewish people.

Hosenfeld was a dedicated family man, with a wife and multiple children. He wrote affectionate letters to his family, expressing his love and concern for their well-being while he was stationed in Poland.

Hosenfeld's story serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the potential for individuals to demonstrate courage and kindness in the face of adversity. His actions have inspired many to reflect on the power of compassion and empathy.

Wilm Hosenfeld Biography

You wanted to know

What was Wilm Hosenfeld's role during World War II?

How did Wilm Hosenfeld help Polish Jews during the war?

Was Wilm Hosenfeld recognized for his humanitarian efforts after the war?

What is the book or movie that brought Wilm Hosenfeld's story to public attention?

How did Wilm Hosenfeld's actions impact the lives of those he helped during the war?