Stumbling Stones in Chemnitz

Bodo Ritscher
Born: 12.12.1908
Died:15.04.1995

Gustel Ritscher, née Ringelblum
Born: 31.08.1910
Died: 22/12/1998

Mr and Mrs Ritscher were among the anti-fascists in Chemnitz who fought against the Nazi rulers in Germany from the very beginning and continued their fight abroad.

Auguste Ringelblum, called Gustel by everyone, was born in Chemnitz as the daughter of the Jewish merchant Chaim (also known as Karl) Ringelblum and his wife Mirl (also known as Minna) Unger. She had five siblings. The family lived in the house at Brauhausstraße 17. Her father was in protective custody as an "enemy alien" during the First World War in 1917/18.

After leaving secondary school in 1925, Gustel worked as a textile worker. She joined the German Communist Youth League (KJVD) in 1928, the KPD and the Revolutionary Trade Union Opposition (RGO) in 1931. Perhaps her sister Anna Seipel, who was two years older and also politically active, was her role model?

It was during this time that Gustel met Bodo Ritscher, a transport worker and accountant. The son of a painter, he had been a member of the KJVD since 1923 and the KPD since 1926. They married on 28 January 1932 in Chemnitz.

After the KPD was banned in March 1933, Bodo Ritscher was a member of the illegal Chemnitz district leadership. Gustel Ritscher was appointed treasurer for the Chemnitz-Bernsdorf district. After Bodo Ritscher's arrest on 30 June 1933, his wife took over his position in the Chemnitz district leadership (distribution of illegal newspapers and leaflets).

Bodo Ritscher was held in Chemnitz police prison until 18 July 1933, where he was tortured. From there he was transferred to the Colditz and Sachsenburg concentration camps. Until his release on 12 September 1934, he was deployed in the quarry commando, among other things.

At the end of October 1933, Gustel Ritscher resigned from her illegal activities because she was to be sent to Bavaria. However, she was arrested in Chemnitz on 9 November 1933 following a denunciation and sentenced to two years in prison and three years loss of honour by the Dresden Higher Regional Court in August 1934 for preparation for high treason. After her release from Waldheim prison, she was placed under police supervision.

As they were in danger of being arrested again, the couple emigrated to Prague on 10 April 1936. In Czechoslovakia, they lived as recognised political refugees and were involved in general emigration work. In January 1938, the couple were expatriated by the authorities of the Nazi state.

Bodo Ritscher went to Spain in February 1938 to take part in the Spanish people's fight for freedom. He was a member of the 11th International Brigade, which existed until 24 September 1938. Gustel Ritscher, who wanted to take part in the struggle as a nurse, was unable to join him due to illness.

In August 1938, Gustel Ritscher moved to Paris. Here, too, she took part in the political work of the German anti-fascist emigration.

On 9 February 1939, Bodo Ritscher crossed the Spanish-French border after the defeat of the Republic in Catalonia and was interned with the refugees from Spain in Argeles and Gurs until April 1940. He then worked in a labour company until April 1941.

In the meantime, Gustel Ritscher was interned in Paris on 15 May 1940 and transferred to the Gurs camp. After her release, she lived in the south of France with her husband, who found work as a construction labourer in the Carmaux coal mines in April 1941. On 18 October 1942, she gave birth to a baby girl. She was given the name Anni. From April 1944, Bodo Ritscher supported the military aims of the Resistance by joining the "Milice patriotique" of the Front National.

In February 1947, Bodo and Gustel Ritscher moved to Paris with their daughter. In November 1947, they returned to Chemnitz via Berlin-Pankow. Bodo Ritscher subsequently worked as an administrative employee for the Chemnitz City Council.

The couple were buried in the Chemnitz VdN site in the urn grove, section US, section III, number 101.

It is a project against forgetting: stumbling stones have been laid in Chemnitz every year since 2007.

Embedded in the pavement, the memorial stones commemorate the tragic fates of fellow citizens who were persecuted, deported, murdered or driven to their deaths during the National Socialist regime.

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