Walter Frankenstein, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, passed away at the age of 100 in Stockholm, where he lived for decades after narrowly escaping the grips of Nazi Germany.
Walter Frankenstein: A Survivor of Nazi Persecution Dies at 100
Walter Frankenstein: A Survivor of Nazi Persecution Dies at 100
Holocaust survivor Walter Frankenstein lived in hiding, evading Nazis for two years in Berlin
Walter Frankenstein, a Holocaust survivor known for his harrowing experiences evading the Nazis, died on April 21 in Stockholm at the age of 100. For over two years during World War II, Frankenstein and his family lived as part of the estimated 6,500 Jewish "U-boats" in Berlin, a term that described Jews who hid from the brutal Nazi regime in a clandestine manner, mirroring the elusive nature of submarines.
Frankenstein's journey through wartime Berlin was perilous; he and his family sought refuge in makeshift hiding spots, including bombed-out buildings, abandoned vehicles, and even an opera house. In a remarkable 1944 encounter, as he traveled by train one morning, he found himself questioned by a military policeman demanding to see identification. In this life-threatening moment, he cleverly fabricated a story, claiming to be a forced laborer, and managed to escape deportation when the officer, uninterested in Jews, let him go.
This incident reflected the daily dangers faced by Jews in hiding during the Holocaust, a time riddled with fear and uncertainty. Richard N. Lutjens Jr., a historian specializing in modern German history, noted how U-boats frequently changed their hiding locations—up to a dozen times during the war—due to relentless air raids and suspicious neighbors. Ultimately, Walter Frankenstein was one of approximately 1,700 U-boats who survived the war.
After the liberation, Frankenstein relocated to Stockholm in 1956, where he was recognized for his resilience and contributions, receiving the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2014. His remarkable life stands as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Frankenstein's journey through wartime Berlin was perilous; he and his family sought refuge in makeshift hiding spots, including bombed-out buildings, abandoned vehicles, and even an opera house. In a remarkable 1944 encounter, as he traveled by train one morning, he found himself questioned by a military policeman demanding to see identification. In this life-threatening moment, he cleverly fabricated a story, claiming to be a forced laborer, and managed to escape deportation when the officer, uninterested in Jews, let him go.
This incident reflected the daily dangers faced by Jews in hiding during the Holocaust, a time riddled with fear and uncertainty. Richard N. Lutjens Jr., a historian specializing in modern German history, noted how U-boats frequently changed their hiding locations—up to a dozen times during the war—due to relentless air raids and suspicious neighbors. Ultimately, Walter Frankenstein was one of approximately 1,700 U-boats who survived the war.
After the liberation, Frankenstein relocated to Stockholm in 1956, where he was recognized for his resilience and contributions, receiving the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2014. His remarkable life stands as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
