Hermann Friedrich Graebe
Hermann Friedrich Graebe was born on (June 19, 1900 and was a German engineer and manager. He came from a poor family. Graebe joined the Nazi
party in 1931, but soon became disappointed with the movement. By 1934,one year
after Hitler's rise to power, in a party meeting he openly criticized the Nazi
campaign against Jewish businesses. Following that incident, Graebe was
apprehended by the Gestapo and jailed in Essen for several months. But,he was
released without trial.Graebe became witness of horrifying scenes.
On October 5, 1942, he was present at the mass-killing near Dubno where he saw
5,000 Jewish men, women, and children, lined up naked. Graebe was not content
to remain a detached observer of unspeakable crimes. He soon set out to save as
many Jews as he could. He started to accept more assignments and contracts from
his company. As result, the need arose to employ a greater number of Jewish
workers. Graebe went to great lengths to protect his Jewish employees and families.
He used his own money to provide shelter and food for his workers. His strategy
helped save many Jews.