18 Facts About Hiltgunt Zassenhaus

Hiltgunt Margret Zassenhaus was a German philologist who worked as an interpreter in Hamburg, Germany during World War II, and later as a physician in the United States.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was honoured for her efforts to aid prisoners in Nazi Germany during World War II.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was born in Hamburg to Julius H and Margret Ziegler Zassenhaus.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus's father was a historian and school principal who lost his job when the Nazi regime came to power in 1933.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus's brothers were the mathematician Hans, and physicians Gunther and Willfried.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus graduated from the University of Hamburg with a degree in Norwegian and Danish language in 1939 and continued her language studies at the University of Copenhagen.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus resigned this job in 1942 and started studying medicine in Hamburg.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus initially refused, but after further pressure, she accepted on the condition that she be allowed to work independently.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was assigned to interpret for and watch the priests during their visits.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus began smuggling in food, medicine, and writing materials.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was aided by the suspicion of the authorities that, because of her position in the Department of Justice, she was a member of the Gestapo.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus maintained her own records in order to keep track of where the prisoners were being held; these files became important for the later evacuation by the White Buses in 1945.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus passed on her information and her files of prisoner locations to either the Red Cross or Swedish Count Bernadotte.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus wrote about her experiences during the war in her 1947 book Halt Wacht im Dunkel.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus continued her medical studies at the University of Bergen, where she finished the first part of the course, and finally graduated as a physician from the University of Copenhagen.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus emigrated to Baltimore in 1952, where she worked as a practising physician.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus is the only person from Germany decorated with the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav for her activities during World War II.

Hiltgunt Zassenhaus was awarded the Red Cross Medal, the Danish Order of the Dannebrog, the German Bundesverdienstkreuz, and the British Cross of the Order of Merit.