The Heartbreaking Story of Mildred Harnack: The Only American Civilian Executed by Adolf Hitler
Mildred Harnack was not just an ordinary woman with a gentle smile and soft eyes. She was a fighter. She stood up against the Nazi regime and sacrificed everything to oppose Adolf Hitler’s brutal dictatorship.
This brave journey was far from anything young Mildred could have imagined while growing up in Wisconsin, USA. Born in 1902 in a humble boardinghouse in Milwaukee, she was raised by her pacifist mother. Mildred had a sharp intellect and a love for learning, which took her to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she hoped to become a writer and linguist.
In 1926, she met Arvid Harnack, a German Philosophy graduate student. Their connection was instant, and their shared love for literature and nature soon blossomed into a deep, fateful romance.
A Love Rooted in Ideals
Mildred and Arvid shared a passion for poets like Johann Goethe and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and they often explored the green hills of Wisconsin together. They also loved bringing people together, hosting gatherings of progressive thinkers and artists at Mildred’s apartment.
Their life took a new turn when they married in 1929 and moved to Germany. At first, their life seemed promising. Mildred taught English Literature at the University of Berlin, and Arvid worked in the Ministry of Economics.
However, everything changed in January 1933 when Adolf Hitler rose to power. With him came hatred, violence, and oppressive laws targeting Jews and anyone who resisted his rule. Germany, the land of Goethe and culture, had turned into a place of fear.
Resisting the Nazis
Determined to fight the growing horrors, Mildred and Arvid decided to resist. They began hosting secret meetings in their small Berlin apartment, inviting trusted friends and students to join their cause. Mildred translated banned speeches by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt and distributed them in public places. She also forged identity cards and ration coupons, helping Jewish intellectuals escape the clutches of the Nazi regime.
Every act of resistance was a great risk. The Gestapo, Hitler’s secret police, were everywhere, hunting down anyone who opposed the Nazis. Despite the danger, the Harnacks continued their work, knowing the stakes were life and death.
Gathering Allies
Arvid used his position in the Ministry of Economics to gather intelligence, which he shared with Soviet agents. This was a dangerous move, but the couple believed in opposing Hitler by any means necessary. They even traveled to the Soviet Union and became supporters of communism, seeing it as a way to counter the Nazi regime.
The Harnacks’ resistance group grew, and the Nazis took notice. By 1942, the Gestapo identified their network, labeling it “The Red Orchestra” (“Die Rote Kapelle”).
Aware they were being watched, the couple planned their escape to Sweden. Unfortunately, on September 5, 1942, just a day before their departure, the Gestapo arrested them in Nazi-occupied Lithuania.
Imprisonment and Torture
The Gestapo’s process was brutal. There were no trials or lawyers, only torture and forced confessions. Mildred endured horrific conditions in solitary confinement, where she contracted tuberculosis. Her once-blond hair turned white, and her radiant face grew pale and gaunt.
Arvid was sentenced to death for treason and was hanged on December 22, 1942, in Berlin’s Plötzensee Prison. Mildred initially received a six-year prison sentence. However, Hitler personally reviewed her case and ordered a retrial, furious that an American woman had collaborated with communists.
The retrial quickly sentenced Mildred to death.
The Final Days
On February 16, 1943, Mildred was led out of her cell. A prison chaplain, who was secretly part of the resistance, had smuggled in a book of Goethe’s poems for her. She spent her last moments translating a poem into English.
Mildred was executed by guillotine at Plötzensee Prison. She was 40 years old.
“Don’t Forget Me”
A fellow prisoner, Marie Luise von Scheliha, later recalled seeing a frail woman with her hair tied in a bun during a brief exercise period at Plötzensee. The woman whispered, “I am in cell 25. Don’t forget me when you get out.”
Von Scheliha later identified this woman as Mildred Harnack, who had feared dying in obscurity.
Mildred Harnack’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and resistance against tyranny. She remains the only American civilian executed on Adolf Hitler’s orders. Her legacy reminds us of the importance of standing up for justice, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Mildred’s life and death are a testament to the power of conscience and the human spirit’s resilience in the darkest times.
FAQ: The Story of Mildred Harnack
Who was Mildred Harnack?
Mildred Harnack was an American writer, linguist, and resistance fighter against the Nazi regime. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she later moved to Germany with her husband, Arvid Harnack, where they joined and led efforts to resist Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship.
What was Mildred Harnack’s role in the resistance?
Mildred translated banned speeches, created and distributed anti-Nazi leaflets, forged documents, and helped Jewish intellectuals escape Nazi persecution. Along with her husband, she gathered intelligence and shared it with the Soviet Union to weaken the Nazi regime.
Why is Mildred Harnack significant?
She is the only American civilian executed on Adolf Hitler’s orders, making her a unique and tragic figure in history. Her story highlights the bravery of those who opposed the Nazis, even at the cost of their lives.
What was the “Red Orchestra”?
The “Red Orchestra” (“Die Rote Kapelle”) was the name given by the Gestapo to a network of resistance fighters that included Mildred and Arvid Harnack. The group worked to undermine the Nazi regime through espionage, anti-Nazi propaganda, and aiding Jewish individuals.
Why was Mildred Harnack executed?
Mildred was sentenced to death for treason and espionage after being arrested by the Gestapo in 1942. Adolf Hitler personally intervened to ensure her execution after her initial prison sentence was deemed too lenient.
How was Mildred Harnack executed?
Mildred was executed by guillotine on February 16, 1943, at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin, Germany.
Did Mildred have any last words?
There are no recorded last words from Mildred. However, a fellow prisoner, Marie Luise von Scheliha, recalled her saying, “Don’t forget me when you get out,” during their brief encounter in prison.
What inspired Mildred to resist the Nazis?
Mildred’s values of justice, equality, and human rights, coupled with her husband’s shared ideals, motivated her to fight against the oppression and atrocities of the Nazi regime.
How did Mildred’s husband, Arvid Harnack, die?
Arvid Harnack was executed by hanging on December 22, 1942, after being found guilty of high treason.
What is Mildred Harnack’s legacy?
Mildred’s life represents the courage to stand up against tyranny, even at great personal risk. She is remembered as a symbol of resistance and the human spirit’s determination to fight for justice.
Are there any books or films about Mildred Harnack?
Yes, several books and documentaries explore her life, including “Resisting Hitler: Mildred Harnack and the Red Orchestra” by Shareen Blair Brysac. Her story is also featured in works about the broader resistance movement during World War II.
Why is Mildred’s story not widely known?
Her story has often been overshadowed by larger narratives of World War II. However, recent efforts by historians and authors have brought her story to light, ensuring her bravery is not forgotten.
What can we learn from Mildred Harnack’s story?
Mildred’s life teaches us about the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming danger. Her story is a reminder that ordinary people can make extraordinary sacrifices to fight for freedom and justice.