Children…

In 1926, the state of Bavaria passed a law “against
Gypsies, travellers and the work-shy”. A “Gypsy” without
a permanent job risked being put in a house of correction.
This law and others like it were adopted by the
Nazis after 1933. As decreed by Nazi ideology, persecutions
along similar lines as those against the Jews were
initiated. SS Chief Heinrich Himmler believed that some
“originalAryans” might still exist in the German Romanispeaking
groups, but the majority was considered to be
of “mixed blood” and therefore a “social danger”. Such
racial biological notions influenced policies of persecution
against German “Gypsies”, and during the war
would often determine who lived and who was killed.
from the Bavarian law of 16 July 1926 for
“the combating of Gypsies, travellers, and the workshy”
§ 1
Gypsies and persons who roam about in the manner of
Gypsies – ‘travellers’ – may only itinerate with wagons and
caravans if they have permission from the police authorities
responsible. This permission may only be granted for a
maximum period of one calendar year and is revocable at
all times. (…)
§ 2
Gypsies and travellers may not itinerate with school age children.
Exceptions may be granted by the responsible police
authorities, if adequate provision has been made for the
education of the children. (…)
§ 9
Gypsies and travellers over sixteen years of age who are
unable to prove regular employment may be sent to workhouses
for up to two years by the responsible police authorities
on the grounds of public security.
“Gipsy” Trollmann
In March 1933, Erich Seelig is stripped of his title as German
national middleweight boxing champion. The reason: he is Jewish.
The title remains vacant until June that year when two completely
different boxers are matched against each other. In one
corner is Adolf Witt, an “Aryan” with a powerful right hand, in
the other Johann Trollmann. The now nazified boxing association
does not appreciate Trollmann fighting for the title. The reason:
he is a “Gypsy”. But Trollmann, also known by his fighting name
“Gipsy”, is one of Germany’s most popular boxers. The Nazis are
sensitive to public opinion, and the “co-ordinated” boxing association
is forced to make an exception. The association has chosen
Witt as he is the only one capable of challenging Trollmann.
But on 9 June, Witt is humiliated by his slender opponent. For
twelve rounds the 26-year-old Trollmann dances around Witt, winning
points and totally outclassing his opponent. The organisers
are embarrassed and declare the match a draw. The audience is
infuriated. For several minutes, they protest loudly and threaten
to smash up the hall. Finally, the organisers give in and declare
Trollmann the new German middleweight champion. He is immediately
attacked by the boxing magazine Boxsport. His style is
labelled “alien” and “theatrical”, and they jeer at his “Gypsy-like
unpredictability”. Eight days later, Trollmann is stripped of his
title. His career is effectively over.
But another match has already been scheduled, to which
Trollmann turns up with his hair dyed blond. This time, instead of
dancing, he stands in the middle of the ring like an oak and takes
one blow after the other. In the fifth round, the bloodied “Gipsy”
is counted out.
Later, four of his brothers are sent to concentration camps,
while in 1939, Trollmann himself is called up and joins the infantry.
Eventually, he is sent to the Russian front. While on leave in 1942,
he is arrested by the Gestapo and sent to the Neuengamme concentration
camp, where he is forced to do the heaviest labour. At their
parties, well-built SS guards have fun playing “German champion”
and boxing with the starving 35-year-old. On 9 February 1943, the
SS has tired of this game and Johann Trollmann is shot and killed.
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