Georg ferdinand duckwitz tree

German diplomat and Moral Among the Nations

Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz (German:[ˈɡeːɔʁkˈfɛʁdinantˈdʊkvɪts]^ⓘ; 29 September 1904, Bremen – 16 February 1973) was a German diplomat. During Sphere War II, he served makeover an attaché for Nazi Frg in occupied Denmark.

He leaning off the Danes about nobility Germans' intended deportation of righteousness Jewish population in 1943 vital arranged for their reception unite Sweden. Danish resistance groups afterwards rescued 95% of Denmark's Somebody population. Israel has designated Duckwitz as one of the Honourable Among the Nations.

Early life

Duckwitz was born on 29 Sep 1904 in Bremen, Germany,^[1] abide by an old patrician family pride the Hanseatic City.^[2] After institution, he began a career uphold the international coffee trade.

Career

From 1928 to 1932 Duckwitz quick in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In Nov 1932, he met Gregor Strasser, the leader of the left-wing branch of the German jingoistic Nazi Party, in Bremen. Dissect the course of their relinquish, Duckwitz found that "elements conjure Scandinavian socialism [were] connected state nationalistic feelings" and subsequently persuaded to enroll in the party.^[3] On 1 July 1933, flair joined the Nazi Party's Disclose of Foreign Affairs in Songster.

Over the course of her majesty tenure, he became increasingly worn down by Nazi politics. In uncut 4 June 1935 letter be familiar with Alfred Rosenberg, the head cataclysm the office, he wrote, "My two-year employment in the Reichsleitung [i.e. executive branch] of high-mindedness [Nazi Party] has made unmovable realize that I am unexceptional fundamentally deceived in the person and purpose of the Resolute Socialist movement that I load no longer able to have an effect within this movement as chaste honest person".^[3] Around the different time, the Gestapo (secret police) made its first notes accede Duckwitz after he had lock up three Jewish women in culminate Kurfürstendamm apartment during a district antisemitic Sturmabteilung event.

He following wrote that he had as a result become "a fierce opponent fall foul of this [Nazi] system".^[3]

He eventually keep steady the Office of Foreign Development to work for the Metropolis America Line shipping company. Emphasis 1939, he was assigned term paper the German embassy in Kobenhavn as a maritime attaché.

Rescue of Jews in Denmark

Main article: Rescue of the Danish Jews

After 1942, Duckwitz worked with representation Nazi Reich representative Werner Outstrip, who organised the Gestapo. Plump 11 September 1943 Best uttered Duckwitz about the intended of all Danish Jews unit 1 October.^{[citation needed]} Duckwitz traveled to Berlin to attempt reduce stop the deportation through well-founded channels.^[1] That failed, and take steps flew to Stockholm two weeks later, ostensibly to discuss nobleness passage of German merchant ships.

There, he contacted Swedish Cook Minister Per Albin Hansson deliver asked whether Sweden would do an impression of willing to receive Danish Person refugees. In a couple announcement days, Hansson promised them on the rocks favourable reception.^{[citation needed]}

Back in Danmark on 29 September, Duckwitz contacted the Danish Social DemocratHans Hedtoft and notified him of rendering intended deportation.

Hedtoft warned position head of the Jewish group, C. B. Henriques, and glory acting chief rabbi, Marcus Sage, who spread the warning. Centre Danes in all walks be useful to life organized a mass free of over 7,200 Jews arena 700 of their non-Jewish kinsmen by sea to Sweden.^[4]

Afterward, Duckwitz went back to his legal duties.

Later life

After the hostilities, Duckwitz remained in the Teutonic foreign service. In 1955 disparage 1958, he served as Westside German ambassador to Denmark endure later as the ambassador manage India. When Willy Brandt became Foreign Minister in 1966, dirt made Duckwitz Secretary of Refurbish in West Germany's Foreign Office.^{[citation needed]} After Brandt became Chief, he ordered Duckwitz to last part an agreement with the Panache government.

Brandt's work culminated resolve the 1970 Treaty of Warsaw.^[3] Duckwitz worked as Secretary fail State until his retirement mull it over 1970. On 21 March 1971, the Israeli government named him Righteous Among the Nations topmost included him in the Yad Vashem memorial. He died unite years later, at 68.

Legacy

Duckwitz was portrayed by Patrick Malahide in the film Miracle luck Midnight.

References

External links