Treptow and Tempelhof in the 1930s: The Defiance of Werner Kerlekien and Otto Laabs

Episode 7 takes us on a historical journey through the districts of Treptow and Tempelhof in the 1930s, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval. We focus on the lives of Werner Kerlekien and Otto Laabs, two Jehovah's Witnesses who exemplified resilience and defiance against the Nazi regime.
Werner Kerlekien, a piano builder from Treptow, was conscripted into the Wehrmacht in December 1939 but refused to serve, leading to his execution in April 1940.
Otto Laabs, a tram conductor from Tempelhof, was involved in a major protest action by his religious community, resulting in his imprisonment and eventual murder in the Hartheim Euthanasia Centre in 1942. This episode not only commemorates their bravery but also paints a vivid picture of Treptow and Tempelhof during the 1930s, from the bustling streets to the ominous shadows of the Nazi regime's presence.
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