Kampfgruppe gegen die Unmenschlichkeit

At an event with the slogan „Doing nothing is murder!“ on 17 October 1948 in West Berlin’s Titaniapalast, Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt announced the founding of the „Kampfgruppe gegen Unmenschlichkeit“ (KgU, „Task Force against Inhumanity“): „I have an announcement to make: an idea, sparked by Berlin’s youth circles, was made to establish a Kampfgruppe gegen Unmenschlichkeit. This task force aims to systematically pursue the countless crimes against humanity … Those who are suffering and dying should rest assured knowing that the world will know of their mortal plight.“

His flat in Nikolassee became a contact point for the persecuted and those returning home from prison. They reported on prison conditions in the Soviet special camps and brought signs of life from missing persons. With this information, the search service organised by Rainer Hildebrandt searched for political prisoners.

The commitment by the head of the KgU created trust in broad circles within the Soviet occupation zone, and won sympathy among the citizens of West Berlin. His parlour was overflowing with desperate people seeking aid.

Rainer Hildebrandt continuously caused alarm in the press and became Enemy No. 1 for the GDR. Three kidnapping attempts, one of which was nearly successful, were carried out by the Stasi to dispose of him. Regardless, he continued his work.