For a clear conscience: Risk your freedom!

On religious grounds, tinsmith Hans Jung (*1892) refused to work at the AEG- arms production. Because of this, he is convicted to three years of prison in February 1941.

Jung

Historical image-source: Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin, Foto: Hist. Archiv – I.2.060 ALB 388-07

Hans Jung had been arrested before in 1937 because he was still a member of the ‘Ernste Bibelforscher’ (Jehovas Witnesses) after their ban in April 1933. Being an injured WW-veteran, his penalty of 6 months was set relatively low but he lost his licence to pursue his own firm. After having served his first sentence, he was ordered to work for the military production at AEG in October 1940, a NS-model plant at this time. As Jung didn’t follow this order, AEG called the Gestapo to force Jung to commit to “the Fuehrer and the ultimate victory “. Jung didn’t bow to this and was convicted once more. After having served his second sentence, Hans Jung was delivered to the Gestapo – an indication that he was probably interned in a concentration camp after his arrest.

The persecution of the „Ernste Bibelforscher“ by the NS regime is not well-known even today. In Nuremberg and Fürth alone, several dozens of members were persecuted because they adhered to their faith and community. Of the about 6000 German members who paid for their resistance with prison and camp detention, about 2000 were killed by the NS regime.