Here stands the Heinz-Steyer-Stadion a testament to a courageous life. Heinz Steyer a Dresden native was more than just a footballer. He was a printer a communist and a resistance fighter. Imagine the young Steyer joining the Communist Youth League at 18. Soon he was a member of the Communist Party of Germany. He played football for Rot-Weiss a workers’ sports club. After the Nazis seized power Steyer secretly distributed newspapers. He spread the word about Nazi terror and the resistance.
His actions didn’t go unnoticed. In 1933 he was arrested. He spent two years and nine months in prisons in Waldheim and Zwickau. Even after his release Steyer continued his fight. He faced repeated imprisonment in concentration camps. Despite being deemed unfit for military service the Nazis drafted him. They assigned Steyer to the penal unit 999.
The 999 units were punishment battalions. Steyer was sent to Greece. He worked as a clerk in the military command in Lechena on the Peloponnese. But he used his position to help others. He secretly warned Greek partisans of planned crackdowns. He even provided illegal documents and supplies to help the resistance. This was incredibly dangerous. He risked his life to aid others.
Steyer’s bravery didn’t last. He was arrested in July 1944. A military court sentenced him to death. He was executed on July 12 in the village of Ai Giannis. But his memory lives on. In Dresden a street and this stadium bear his name. This stadium was renamed the Heinz-Steyer-Stadion in 1949. The large stadium stands as a symbol of resistance and courage. A memorial stone once stood before the stadium. This stone honored Steyer’s life and sacrifice. The stadium is currently being renovated. It will continue to honor his legacy. Heinz Steyer’s story is one of defiance. It’s a reminder of the struggle against tyranny. His life continues to inspire. His actions echo even now within these very walls.