Claus Hubalek

Claus Hubalek was a German writer, dramaturge, and screenwriter, known for his works addressing themes of war and post-war society. After serving in the Wehrmacht during World War II and being a prisoner of war, he studied philology and began writing. His debut, Unsere jungen Jahre (1947), and the novella Das Glasauge (1949) established his literary career.

Hubalek gained prominence with his play Der Hauptmann und sein Held (1953), which won the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Preis and was later adapted into a film. As chief dramaturge at Norddeutscher Rundfunk (1963–1966), he worked on notable television adaptations, including Stalingrad. He later served as chief dramaturge at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, co-directing the production Über den Gehorsam. Hubalek’s television films include Der 21. Juli (1972) and Luftwaffenhelfer (1980), reflecting his critical engagement with Germany’s wartime history.