Emma Zimmer

Emma Anne Zimmer (August 14, 1888 – September 20, 1948) was a female overseer at the Ravensbrück concentration camp for two years during the war.

Emma Zimmer was born as Emma Anne Mezel in Schlüchtern. On June 1, 1943, already over 50 years old, she was granted permission to stay on staff as a female overseer at Ravensbrück, despite her age. She was the first chief woman officer at Ravensbrück from 1939-1941 and took an active part in the selection of internees to be gassed during 1941 at the Bernberg Euthanasia Center near Berlin. Zimmer served as a guard at Ravensbrück and was known in the camp for being brutal and sadistic in her guard duties.

She was awarded the War Merit Cross Second Class without swords.

Emma Zimmer stood trial at the seventh Ravensbrück Trial and was sentenced to death for her war crimes. She was hanged by Albert Pierrepoint on the gallows at Hamelin Prison on September 20, 1948. She was 60 years old.