Mielke:Hermann Scheffler (1884-1951)

Herrmann Scheffler, a functionary of the German Woodworkers' Union before 1933 and an initiator in the development of union press, became part of the circle of committed resistance fighters against the Nazi regime after 1933. The National Socialists imprisoned him in a concentration camp. After his release from the camp, Scheffler remained in the sights of the Nazi pursuers. Although he was a member of the illegal leadership of the unions and acted as a liaison to the foreign representatives of the German unions in the fight against the Nazi regime, he was suspected after the war of having transformed from Saul to Paul. Scheffler was criticized for having published pro-Nazi articles as the editor of two craft magazines. However, there were reasons for this. Siegfried Mielke traces the life of a forgotten trade unionist and active resistance fighter. His actions during the Nazi dictatorship impressively reflect the diversity of resistance activities.