Erwin Strittmatter

Who was Erwin Strittmatter?

Erwin Strittmatter was a German writer. Strittmatter was one of the most famous writers in the GDR.

Strittmatter was born the son of a baker. After graduating from the Realgymnasium at the age of 17, he started an apprenticeship as a baker. Later, he worked as baker, waiter, chauffeur, zookeeper and unskilled laborer. In 1940 he volunteered to the Waffen-SS but was rejected. During the Second World War Strittmatter served as a member of the Ordnungspolizei in the SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 18, which was involved in the deportation of Jews from Athens. In October till December 1941 his unit was stationed at Cracow, probably as guards of the Krakau Ghetto. Later Strittmatter completed courses in anti-partisan warfare and was deployed in Slovenia, Finland und Greece.

Strittmatter deserted near the end of the war and continued to work as a baker while also working as a correspondent, later as an editor for a newspaper. In 1947, he became head official of seven municipalitites. In 1954 Strittmatter began working as a freelance writer. Strittmatter married Eva Strittmatter, who went on to become one of the most successful poets of East Germany, in 1956.