Lina Haag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lina Haag
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| Born |
Lina Jäger
18 January 1907 Hagkling, Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire
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| Died | 18 June 2012 (aged 105) |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | anti-Nazi activist; author |
| Known for | Dachau Award for Courage |
Lina Haag was a brave German woman who stood up against unfair rule. She was born on January 18, 1907, and lived until June 18, 2012. Lina is remembered for her strong spirit and for fighting for what was right.
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Lina Haag's Early Life
Lina Jäger was born in a place called Hagkling. When she was a teenager in the 1920s, she joined the youth group of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). This was a political party that believed in a society where everyone was equal.
In 1927, Lina married Alfred Haag, who was also a Communist. Alfred was a member of the local parliament for the KPD. This was until Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933.
Standing Up to the Nazis
When the Nazis took over, they arrested many people who disagreed with them. Both Lina and Alfred Haag were arrested because they were Communists. They spent many years in different prisons and concentration camps. These were terrible places where people were held against their will.
Lina and Alfred showed amazing strength and courage during their time in prison. Lina spent a long time in a special prison called Remand Prison. There, she met other important prisoners, like Liselotte Herrmann.
In 1938, Lina was set free. She managed to convince the leader of her camp at Lichtenburg to go against the secret police, known as the Gestapo.
Alfred's Release from Camp
After Lina was released, she was reunited with her daughter. They moved to Berlin, the capital city, and Lina found a job. She went to the headquarters of the SS almost every day. The SS was a powerful Nazi organization. Lina kept asking them to release her husband, Alfred.
In 1940, Lina was finally allowed to meet with Heinrich Himmler. He was a very powerful leader in the SS. Because of Lina's bravery and persistence, Himmler ordered Alfred's release. Alfred had been held in the Mauthausen concentration camp and the Dachau concentration camp. He had suffered greatly there.
Lina's Wartime Writing
After his release, Alfred was forced to join the German army, called the Wehrmacht. He was sent to fight on the Eastern Front during World War II. Meanwhile, Lina and her daughter's home in Berlin was destroyed by bombs.
Lina was then sent to work in a hospital in a town called Garmisch. While she was there, she wrote a book about her experiences. It was like a very long letter to Alfred. She didn't know if she would ever see him again. This letter was later published in 1947 as A Handful of Dust.
Alfred was captured by the Red Army, which was the Soviet Union's army. He was finally released in 1948.
Later Life and Recognition
Lina and Alfred Haag lived in Munich after the war. Alfred passed away in 1982.
In 2007, Lina was given a special award. It was called the Dachau Award for Courage. This award recognized her incredible bravery and strength during the Nazi era.
Lina Haag died in Munich on June 18, 2012. She was 105 years old.
