A Nazi Who Fell in Love with a Jewish Girl. Forbidden Love in the Third Reich Ends in Tragedy

A supporter of Nazism and a Jew. This love story took place in wartime Berlin. Felice Schragenheim, a writer active in the Jewish underground, fell in love with Lilly Wust, the wife of a staunch Nazi. This unique relationship, documented in letters and poems, is an example extraordinary courage and love in the times of Hitlerism.

Lilly Wust, born Charlotte Elisabeth Kappler in 1913, came from a traditional Berlin family. Her early years fell during World War I and her youth in the turbulent 1920s. Lilly had no interest in politics and, like many Germans, ignored the growing Nazi threat. She married Günther Wust, an accountant with Nazi sympathies, despite the opposition of his parents, who were former members of the Communist Party.

The beginning of forbidden love

During the war, Lilly led the life of a typical German woman, not very affected by the realities of war. The fourth son brought her the bronze Mother’s Crossa distinction for women bearing children for Hitler, which provided her with various privileges, including the right to domestic help. This is how she appeared Felice Schragenheima young woman working underground on behalf of Jews.

In November 1942, Lilly met Felice Schragenheim in a café. Felice, eight years younger than Lilly, came from a middle-class Jewish family. Her parents died young, and Felice herself had witnessed her grandmother’s deportation, which made her hide to avoid deportationShe worked in a bottle factory and risked her life was involved in underground activitieshelping Jews survive.

The relationship between the women developed quickly. Felice, fascinated by Lilly, visited her home more and more often. Unaware of Jewish origin women, enjoyed her company. Felice became increasingly emotionally involved, showering Lilly with flowers, letters, and poems over time.

In February 1943, after Goebbels’ famous speech, the persecution of Jews intensified. Goebbels promised that no Jews would remain in Berlin for Hitler’s birthday in April. Felice left Berlin and moved to the mountains with friends to avoid detection. However, the women continued to correspond. While Felice was away, Lilly was admitted to hospital with a serious infection. Eventually, the hiding Jew was able to return to Berlin, where she decided to visit her in the hospital. It was there that they kissed for the first time.

Lilly’s husband was transferred to the front, so Felice moved into their home, officially as Lilly’s guardian. Their happiness did not last long, as the situation in Berlin became increasingly difficult. Felice, due to her secret activities, was less and less present at home, which led to conflicts in their secret relationship. Finally, during one of their arguments revealed her true origins to Lilly. This did not change her feelings, however, in fact the two women grew even closer. Lilly supported Felice’s underground activities, wanting nothing more than for her safety.

Tragic end

In the summer of 1944, the situation in Berlin became critical for the Jews in hiding. Despite the urgings of her friends, Felice refused to escape, not wanting to leave Lilly. This decision proved fatal. In August 1944 Felice was arrested by the Gestapo in Lilly’s apartment.

Lilly tried to save her beloved by visiting her in prison and following her to Theresienstadt. Unfortunately, this was the last time they saw each other. Felice was deported to Auschwitz and then to the Gross-Rosen concentration camp. Her fate is unknown, but she probably died during the evacuation of the camp in January 1945.

Lilly survived the war and lived to the age of 92. After Felice was deported she helped three other Jewish women hidefor which she was honored with the German Federal Cross of Merit and the Israeli title “Righteous Among the Nations”. Her love story with Felice was described in the book “Aimee and Jaguar” by Erika Fischer and later filmed.