Max Schmeling

Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling (September 28, 1905 – February 2, 2005) was a German boxer whose two Heavyweight championship fights with Joe Louis transcended boxing and became worldwide social events which will forever be linked to the rivalry between Americans and Germans before World War II.

Incorrectly branded as a Nazi

Schmeling was branded as a "Nazi" by many boxing fans, but nothing was further from the truth. In reality, Schmeling became quite unpopular among the Nazis after the embarrassing loss to the black man, and was not used anymore in Nazi propaganda, which was a relief to him.

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In 1938, during the Kristallnacht, Schmeling hid two teenage sons of a Jewish friend in his Berlin hotel room, protecting them from the SS and Gestapo at great risk to himself. The two boys, Henry and Werner Lewin, were eventually smuggled out of Germany with Schmeling's help.

Related Topics:
Kristallnacht - SS - Gestapo

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When World War II broke out in 1939, Schmeling was drafted into the German Army. Because he had long refused to join the Nazi party, a vengeful Hitler sent him on suicidal missions in order to make him a hero -a very dead hero - only to see him return every time. Schmeling remained anti-Nazi throughout the war, and after it was over was interned briefly, still recovering from his war injuries. Afterwards he frequently visited American troops, giving away signed photos and taking pictures with the American soldiers.

Related Topics:
1939 - Nazi party - Hero

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