Hans Litten, German lawyer and jurist (b. 1903)

Hans Litten: A German Lawyer Who Defied the Nazis

Born on June 19, 1903, Hans Achim Litten was a courageous German lawyer who became a beacon of justice during the tumultuous final years of the Weimar Republic. From 1929 to 1932, Litten dedicated his legal career to representing opponents of the nascent Nazi regime, primarily championing the rights of workers and political activists against the escalating violence of far-right extremist groups.

The Audacious Cross-Examination of Adolf Hitler

Hans Litten's name is most notably etched in history for his fearless confrontation with Adolf Hitler in 1931. During a crucial trial known as the "Eden Palace Trial," which concerned a brutal attack by Nazi SA stormtroopers on a dance hall frequented by left-wing workers, Litten took the extraordinary step of subpoenaing Hitler to appear as a witness. For three gruelling hours, Litten meticulously cross-examined Hitler, exposing the true, violent intentions behind the Nazi Party's seemingly legalistic facade.

Litten, representing the injured workers, challenged Hitler directly on the legality and violent aims of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazi Party's paramilitary wing. He cornered Hitler, forcing him to admit that while the party claimed to be pursuing power through legal means, its members were, in fact, prepared to achieve their goals through force. This public humiliation deeply unnerved Hitler, who, years later, reportedly forbade any mention of Litten's name in his presence, a testament to the profound impact of that courtroom encounter.

Arrest, Imprisonment, and Tragic End

The night of the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933, marked a turning point for Germany and for Hans Litten. This pivotal event, which the Nazis quickly blamed on communists, served as a pretext for a widespread crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition. In the early hours of February 28, Litten was among the first wave of progressive lawyers, journalists, and left-wing intellectuals to be arrested as part of the Nazis' retaliatory sweep. His past defiance of Hitler made him a prime target for retribution.

For the remainder of his life, Hans Litten endured unspeakable suffering in various German concentration camps, including Sonnenburg, Esterwegen, and Buchenwald. He was subjected to systematic torture, relentless interrogations designed to break his spirit and extract information, and psychological torment. His captors sought to crush his will and make him denounce his principles.

In 1937, Litten was transferred to Dachau concentration camp, where his already brutal treatment worsened considerably. Cut off from all outside communication and facing unimaginable conditions, Hans Litten, after five years of relentless persecution, tragically committed suicide on February 5, 1938. His death, a desperate act of defiance against absolute subjugation, brought an end to a life dedicated to justice.

Overlooked Hero and Modern Recognition

Despite his immense courage and the significant impact of his legal challenges against the rising Nazi power, Hans Litten was largely ignored for decades after World War II. His nuanced political stance, rooted in left-leaning anti-Nazism, did not fit neatly into the simplistic narratives promoted by either Western capitalist or Eastern communist propaganda during the Cold War. As a result, his story remained largely untold to a broader international audience.

Today, a number of memorials exist in Germany honouring his bravery and sacrifice, serving as poignant reminders of his stand against tyranny. However, it was not until 2011 that Litten's story finally reached a wider mass media audience. The BBC broadcast "The Man Who Crossed Hitler," a compelling television film set in Berlin in the summer of 1931, which vividly portrayed Litten's audacious cross-examination of Adolf Hitler and brought his remarkable legacy to global attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hans Litten

Who was Hans Litten?
Hans Litten was a German lawyer who fearlessly represented opponents of the Nazi Party, particularly workers, in crucial political trials between 1929 and 1932 during the Weimar Republic. He is renowned for his direct confrontation with Adolf Hitler in court.
What was Hans Litten's most significant legal action?
His most significant action was subpoenaing Adolf Hitler and cross-examining him for three hours in 1931 during the "Eden Palace Trial." Litten exposed Hitler's violent intentions and the true nature of the Nazi Party, a humiliation Hitler never forgot.
Why was Hans Litten arrested by the Nazis?
Litten was arrested on the night of the Reichstag fire (February 28, 1933) because he was a prominent opponent of the Nazis and had publicly humiliated Adolf Hitler. His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on political dissenters.
Which concentration camps was Hans Litten held in?
Hans Litten was imprisoned in several Nazi concentration camps, including Sonnenburg, Esterwegen, Buchenwald, and finally Dachau, where he ultimately died.
Why was Hans Litten's story largely unknown for many years?
His story was largely ignored for decades because his specific political leanings as a left-leaning anti-Nazi did not align comfortably with the post-war political narratives of either West Germany or communist East Germany during the Cold War era.
How did Hans Litten's story gain modern recognition?
His story gained widespread recognition in 2011 when the BBC broadcast "The Man Who Crossed Hitler," a television film that dramatized his confrontation with Adolf Hitler, bringing his legacy to a global audience.