Dr. Hans Gamper

After graduating from secondary school in Brixen, Hans Gamper began his teacher training at the University of Innsbruck, studying German, Romance languages and literature and history, which he completed with a doctorate. In 1910, he joined the student fraternity Vindelicia.

After the First World War, he began his professional career, which took him to the Innsbruck grammar school, the teacher training college, of which he became director, and the office of regional school inspector (1936).

His political career began in 1925, when he became a member of the Tyrolean Parliament as a member of the Tyrolean Labor League, which he founded, and was a member until 1934. From 1929-1935, Hans Gamper was social affairs officer in the Tyrolean provincial government. From 1936-1938, after leaving the provincial government, he headed the "Social Working Group" (SAG) of the VF in Tyrol. He wrote anti-national socialist editorials in the "Volkszeitung" newspaper, which he took over the management of.

On the morning of March 12, 1938, he was arrested by the SS and taken to Innsbruck police prison. A short time later, Hans Gamper was taken to Dachau, where he remained in protective custody for almost a year.

On his return, he worked in the resistance movement. In spring 1945, together with Prof. Eduard Reut-Nicolussi, he organized the Tyrolean resistance movement, which led the successful fight for freedom in Innsbruck under Karl Gruber until the arrival of the Allies.