Wilm Hosenfeld

Wilhelm Adalbert Hosenfeld

["Wehrmacht Officer", "Righteous Among the Nations", "Schoolteacher"]

Born May 02, 1895

Mackenzell, Germany

Passed Away Aug 13, 1952 Stalingrad, Russia

Lifespan 57 years old

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Notice / Correction

"I try to save everyone that can be saved. How can we ever atone for the horrors committed in our name?"

Archival Overview

German Army officer in Warsaw who covertly sheltered and saved Polish Jews, including pianist Władysław Szpilman, recognized as Righteous Among the Nations.

Biographical Record

Wilm Hosenfeld was a Catholic schoolteacher from Hesse drafted into the Wehrmacht during World War II and stationed in Warsaw as a sports officer. Deeply horrified by Nazi brutality and the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto, his secret diaries recorded profound moral anguish and condemnation of the regime.

Hosenfeld used his military authority to provide false employment papers, food, and shelter to dozens of Poles and Jews. In November 1944, he discovered starving Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman hiding in the ruins of Warsaw, feeding and protecting him until Soviet liberation. Hosenfeld tragically died in Soviet labor camps in 1952.

Key Life Milestones

Saving Szpilman

Rescue of Wladyslaw Szpilman

Sheltered and supplied food to the hiding pianist in the bombed-out ruins of Warsaw.

Righteous Among Nations

Yad Vashem Recognition

Posthumously honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jewish lives.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Mackenzell Memorial
Hunfeld, Germany

                         GPS: 50.6333, 9.7667                    

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