Beneath our feet, echoes of a turbulent past resonate near this Artur Becker Plaque. It’s a tribute to Artur Becker. He was a German communist who fought against the rise of Nazism.
Artur Becker was born in 1905. He grew up in a working-class family. His father was involved in politics. Artur joined the Free Socialist Youth in 1919. By 1920, he was part of the Young Communist League. Two years later, he joined the Communist Party.
In 1930, Artur Becker was elected to the Reichstag. He represented Du00fcsseldorf-West. At the time, he was the youngest member of the house. But his political career was cut short.
As the Nazi party gained power, Artur Becker was forced to flee Germany in 1933. He sought refuge in Moscow. Later, he became an international organizer. He helped defend the Spanish Republic. In 1937, he joined the armed struggle. He became a Political Commissar. He served in the Thu00e4lmann Battalion of the International Brigades.
In April 1938, Artur Becker was badly wounded. Falangists captured him. After weeks of interrogation and torture, he was reportedly executed in a Burgos prison on May 16, 1938. The exact date of his death remains uncertain.
After World War II, East Germany honored Artur Becker extensively. Many streets, schools, and industrial plants were named after him. The youth power plant “Artur Becker” Trattendorf was one example. The officers’ college of the Ministry of the Interior was another.
Since 1960, the Freie Deutsche Jugend awarded the Artur Becker Medal. It recognized outstanding achievements in the socialist youth association. After German reunification, most of these names were changed. Still, some streets and schools continue to bear his name.
This Artur Becker Plaque is one of 96 memorial plaques in Berlin. They commemorate Reichstag members murdered by the Nazi regime. It has stood here since 1992. In September 2021, another memorial plaque was unveiled. It was placed at his former home on Schlichtallee 1 in Rummelsburg.
The Artur Becker Plaque reminds us of the courage of those who resisted Nazism. It stands as a symbol of his commitment to justice. It is a testament to his fight against oppression.