Willy Olschewski jun. (7.2.1902 Berlin – 28.6.1944 Munich-Stadelheim prison)

The machinist Willy Olschewski came to Munich with his family in 1918. Politicized through contact with his parents’ large circle of friends, he joined the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in 1925, later joining the leadership of the KPD group in Munich-Thalkirchen. He married Gertrud Riesebeck in 1928. After the arrest of his father Wilhelm and his brother Erich, he was also arrested on June 9 ,1933, after which he was held in ‘protective custody’ at Dachau Concentration Camp until September 9, 1933.

Like his father, he continued to maintain contacts with Nazi opponents, in spite of being under threat and observation by the police. After the war began he was involved in setting up the Munich group of the resistance organization under Beppo Römer in Berlin, which operated branches throughout the Reich. Willy Olschewski attended illegal meetings and attempted to make contact with those opposed to the Nazis in Munich companies. Along with many others, he was arrested when the group was exposed on February 4, 1942. One of the main defendants at the People’s Court trial in Munich, he was sentenced to death together with friends on April 20, 1944. The verdict stated: “As long-standing communists in Munich, the defendants participated in activities pursued by an illegal organization led by retired captain Josef Römer and other enemies of the state in 1941 and 1942 with the aim of overthrowing the National Socialist leadership, also planning acts of sabotage and terror. The defendants are therefore sentenced to death for the preparation of high treason and for aiding and abetting the enemy and are forever dishonored” (BArch, R 3017/86). On the same day, Olschewski was taken to Stadelheim prison and executed there on June 28 – along with his brother-in-law Otto Binder and Engelbert Kimberger.

Their bodies were not released for burial. Investigations by relatives after the liberation revealed that they had been dissected at the Anatomy Department of Würzburg University and used for the study of anatomy. On the Day of the Victims of Fascism, 14 September, 1947, the coffins with their mortal remains were laid out in front of the Feldherrnhalle in a solemn memorial ceremony and they were honored by members of the state government.