In the aftermath of the Reichstag fire of February 27, 1933, Socialists and Communists were targeted throughout Germany. Less than a month later, on March 22, 1933, the Nazis first concentration camp was established in Dachau.
On June 8, 1933, a group of Socialists and Communists from Augsburg, Germany entered the Dachau concentration camp. Among the new prisoners was Friedrich Hoyer, a boiler maker and Communist Party functionary.
Later that summer, Hoyer sent a post card hand-painted with a red rose for his wife’s 50th birthday (Eva Hoyer was born on August 31, 1883).
Friedrich Hoyer was released from Dachau on March 5, 1935.
The entry and release of Friedrich Hoyer are representative of the early history of the concentration camps in the Third Reich. During these early years of the camps, most inmates were either Socialists or Communists. There were some Jewish inmates, though they tended to be incarcerated for being either Socialists or Communists. The major influx of Jews into concentration camps for primarily racial grounds began in earnest in 1938.
Below is the post card Friedrich Hoyer painted for his wife.
The following research article, written by Professor Kevin Ostoyich, tells Hoyer’s full story.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, or if you would like to request a PDF copy of the article, please send an email to Mikayla Hoppe: mikayla@spungenfoundation.org
Click HERE to open the full PDF article.