Krista Lavíčková
Encyclopedia
Krista Lavíčková was a Czech secretary who fought against Nazism
with the German Resistance
group, the European Union
. She was arrested on September 3, 1943 and was tried along with her father, Paul Hatschek
, at the Volksgerichtshof ("People's Court"). Her father's second wife, Elli Hatschek
, was arrested with her father, but was tried at a later date. All were sentenced to death, three of the sixteen members of the European Union who were executed by the Third Reich.
, Czechoslovakia. As an adult, she lived in Prague, where she worked as a secretary. She was involved with the German Resistance group, the European Union, whose members were from various European nations. On September 3, 1943, she was arrested by the Nazis. Tried with her father at the Nazi "People's Court", they were both sentenced to death on March 27, 1944. Before her execution, she was imprisoned at the women's prison on Barnimstrasse, in Berlin. Her father's second wife, Elli Hatschek
, was arrested with her father, but was tried separately. She was also sentenced to death, charged with being connected to the European Union and with Wehrkraftzersetzung
, a crime which included "undermining the military". Lavíčková's father was executed by fallbeil ("falling axe") on May 15, 1944 at Brandenburg-Görden Prison
. Lavíčková was executed at Plötzensee Prison
on August 11, 1944. Including Lavíčková, her father and step-mother, there were sixteen members of the European Union executed by the Nazis. The record of her execution states, "The convict, who was calm and composed, was laid on the falling axe apparatus without resistance, whereupon the executioner performed the beheading with the guillotine and then reported that the sentence was carried out. The sentence was carried out in 7 seconds, from leading [the prisoner to the guillotine] to notification of completion." Elli Hatschek was not tried until November 1944. On December 8, 1944, like Lavíčková, she was executed by guillotine at Plötzensee Prison.
Lavíčková was married. Her farewell letter, written before her execution, is addressed to Ilsinko and Friedl.The letter was written on both sides of a lined sheet of paper. At the bottom of the first are printed instructions from her Nazi captors, "Only use the lines! No writing in the margins!"
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
with the German Resistance
German Resistance
The German resistance was the opposition by individuals and groups in Germany to Adolf Hitler or the National Socialist regime between 1933 and 1945. Some of these engaged in active plans to remove Adolf Hitler from power and overthrow his regime...
group, the European Union
European Union (resistance group)
The original European Union was an antifascist resistance group during Germany's Nazi era, which formed around Anneliese and Georg Groscurth and Robert Havemann. Other important members were Herbert Richter and Paul Rentsch....
. She was arrested on September 3, 1943 and was tried along with her father, Paul Hatschek
Paul Hatschek
Paul Hatschek was a Czech engineer of optical and film technology and a member of the German Resistance against Nazism during the Third Reich. He was involved with Robert Uhrig and then became a leading member of the resistance group, the European Union. According to Robert Havemann, Hatschek was...
, at the Volksgerichtshof ("People's Court"). Her father's second wife, Elli Hatschek
Elli Hatschek
Elli Hatschek was a member of the German Resistance against Nazism. She was married to Paul Hatschek, a leading member of the resistance group, the European Union and who was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. Under heavy interrogation, he gave up the names of others in his group, who were then...
, was arrested with her father, but was tried at a later date. All were sentenced to death, three of the sixteen members of the European Union who were executed by the Third Reich.
Biographical details
Lavíčková, née Hatschek, was born in Moravian OstravaOstrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, Czechoslovakia. As an adult, she lived in Prague, where she worked as a secretary. She was involved with the German Resistance group, the European Union, whose members were from various European nations. On September 3, 1943, she was arrested by the Nazis. Tried with her father at the Nazi "People's Court", they were both sentenced to death on March 27, 1944. Before her execution, she was imprisoned at the women's prison on Barnimstrasse, in Berlin. Her father's second wife, Elli Hatschek
Elli Hatschek
Elli Hatschek was a member of the German Resistance against Nazism. She was married to Paul Hatschek, a leading member of the resistance group, the European Union and who was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. Under heavy interrogation, he gave up the names of others in his group, who were then...
, was arrested with her father, but was tried separately. She was also sentenced to death, charged with being connected to the European Union and with Wehrkraftzersetzung
Wehrkraftzersetzung
Wehrkraftzersetzung is a term from German military law during the Third Reich. In 1938, with Adolf Hitler moving Germany closer to war, the Nazi government issued a decree for the purpose of suppressing any expression or activity opposed to the Nazi regime or the Wehrmacht...
, a crime which included "undermining the military". Lavíčková's father was executed by fallbeil ("falling axe") on May 15, 1944 at Brandenburg-Görden Prison
Brandenburg-Görden Prison
Brandenburg-Görden Prison is located on Anton-Saefkow-Allee in the Görden section of Brandenburg an der Havel. Erected between 1927 and 1935, it was built to be the most secure and modern prison in Europe. It was a Zuchthaus for inmates with lengthy or life sentences at hard labor, as well as...
. Lavíčková was executed at Plötzensee Prison
Plötzensee Prison
Plötzensee Prison was a Prussian institution built in Berlin between 1869 and 1879 near the lake Plötzensee, but in the neighbouring borough of Charlottenburg, on Hüttigpfad off Saatwinkler Damm. During Adolf Hitler's time in power from 1933 to 1945, more than 2,500 people were executed at...
on August 11, 1944. Including Lavíčková, her father and step-mother, there were sixteen members of the European Union executed by the Nazis. The record of her execution states, "The convict, who was calm and composed, was laid on the falling axe apparatus without resistance, whereupon the executioner performed the beheading with the guillotine and then reported that the sentence was carried out. The sentence was carried out in 7 seconds, from leading [the prisoner to the guillotine] to notification of completion." Elli Hatschek was not tried until November 1944. On December 8, 1944, like Lavíčková, she was executed by guillotine at Plötzensee Prison.
Lavíčková was married. Her farewell letter, written before her execution, is addressed to Ilsinko and Friedl.The letter was written on both sides of a lined sheet of paper. At the bottom of the first are printed instructions from her Nazi captors, "Only use the lines! No writing in the margins!"