Heinrich Karsten Wagenfeld

Who was Heinrich Karsten Wagenfeld?

Hein Wagenfeld was a German theoretical and experimental physicist known for his work in electron and X ray crystallography especially X ray diffraction relating to absorption and the Borrmann effect. He was highly regarded for his commitment to international understanding and peace.

Early years

Wagenfeld was born to Bauhaus designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld and Elsa née Heinrich. He attended the Volksschule in Oberweimar and in Berlin Schlachtensee. From 1939 to 1943 he attended the Dreilinden Oberschule in Berlin Wannsee until his mother sent him out of Berlin due to the escalating bombing raids. He briefly attended high school in Weimar but his openly anti-Nazi attitude made the situation unsafe and he returned to live with his mother in Berlin. In Berlin in 1944 he received secret tuition in English and Mathematics from a retired Jewish teacher named Dr. Skutsch.

In September 1944, Himmler, Reichsfuehrer of the SS, issued the decree that all men between 16 and 60 enter the Volksturm. When Wagenfeld turned 16 that December, he avoided the Volkssturm by enlisting in an Air Force Auxiliary unit and managed to survive the months till the end of the war without significant combat experience. From the age of 16-18 Wagenfeld was held British Prisoner of War in the Munster Training Area in the Luneburg Heath. He ‘doctored’ his discharge papers and discharged himself from prison camp in March 1947. From 1947-1948 he continued his schooling at the Lilienthal High School in Berlin Lichterfelde where he completed his Abitur.