Karl Schmidt (resistance fighter)

Karl Schmidt (born December 6, 1902 in Magdeburg ; † May 3, 1945 in the Lübeck Bay ) was a resistance fighter against National Socialism .

Life

Schmidt got involved in politics early on. While still in a middle and commercial school , he joined the socialist youth workers . In 1924 he became a member of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold .

In 1928 he joined the KPD . He was particularly involved in the Red Front Fighters League . Professionally, Schmidt, who was trained as a commercial clerk, started working in the editorial department of the grandstand in 1930 .

After the National Socialists came to power, he was sentenced to 4 months in prison by a special court in Halle (Saale) in June 1933 . After his release, Schmidt worked underground. He made and distributed illegal leaflets. In 1936, he was arrested again and to 2 years prison sentenced. He was then transferred to the concentration camp KZ Aschendorfermoor , Sachsenhausen and Neuengamme concentration camp abducted. Shortly before the end of the war, he was interned with about 7,000 other prisoners on ships in the Bay of Lübeck. These ships were sunk in a militarily senseless attack, which also killed Schmidt.

Honor

The city of Magdeburg named a street in his honor ( Karl-Schmidt-Straße ).

literature

• Beatrix Herlemann : Schmidt, Karl. In: Guido Heinrich, Gunter Schandera (ed.): Magdeburg Biographical Lexicon 19th and 20th centuries. Biographical lexicon for the state capital Magdeburg and the districts of Bördekreis, Jerichower Land, Ohrekreis and Schönebeck. Scriptum, Magdeburg 2002, ISBN 3-933046-49-1 .