Recent searches
Search options
Administered by:
Couples
Lilly Wust & Felice Schragenheim fell in love in wartime Berlin. Lilly was born Charlotte Elisabeth Kappler in 1913. Around the time Hitler was elected, Lilly married a man with Nazi sympathies - much to the dismay of her parents, who had been members of the Communist Party. But like most Germans, she turned a blind eye to the troubling developments around her.
(Story continued in comments)
II - She + Günther were not happy in their marriage + both had extramarital affairs. One of hers resulted in a 4th son, meaning eligibility for the “Mother Cross”—awarded to women who bore male children for Hitler. The award brought privileges, like eligibility for a house maid. Inge Wolf, a woman who was actively fighting the Nazi system took that job. Inge introduced Lilly to Felice Schragenheim.
III - Lilly was immediately taken by the beautiful dark-haired woman who was 8 years younger than Lilly + who, as Jew was living with a false ID.
Lilly's apartment became a gathering place for Felice + Inge’s circle. Lilly did not know who she was entertaining but enjoyed the attention. Lilly’s husband, who returned home every few weeks, was happy to see his wife more relaxed + enjoyed the attention of the young + pretty women in his home.
IV - Felice began to court Lilly. She showered her with flowers, letters, + poems. The 2 became very close. They held a secret wedding ceremony + when Lilly’s husband was moved to the front, Felice moved in officially as Lilly's caretaker. Problems arose as Lilly didn’t understand Felice’s frequent + unexplained absences, Felice couldn’t be honest with the person with whom she shared her life. During a fight, when Lilly threatened to kick Felice out, she finally told about her real identity.
Part V - The 2 women had about 1+1/2 years together. In August 1944 Felice was arrested by the Gestapo. Felice was sent to a series of concentration camps + it's not known exactly when she perished.
Lilly lived to be 92-years-old. In 1994, she shared her story + records with author Erika Fischer, who wrote a fictionalized account of her #lovestory: #AiméeUndJaguar, later turned into a movie.
@simbarr What are heartbreaking story. Thank you for sharing this.
@BobHorowitz It's heartbreaking - but Felice changed Lilly's heart to where she saved three jewish woman after they parted. That's beautiful ... She was honored as Rightious Among Nations after the war
@simbarr A big addition of awesomeness to the already fascinating story.