AFHRA documents on Luftwaffe National Socialist Political Officers

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Dave Pawlikowski
Political officers in JG / NJG units?
Thu Jul 19 01:53:38 2001


Very briefly, there was a passage in Peter Hinchliffe's book " Ace of Diamonds " - bio of Schnaufer - and it spoke of a visit by a political officer to St. Trond to make sure that everyone was on the same page, so to speak, when it came to personal politcs and the Reich.

I have never seen / read / heard of anything like this in the Luftwaffe anywhere else. Is this a true event? Was there an attempt to keep the pilots " politically pure " once in combat? Or just in pilot school?

I have read of these officers in Waffen SS units - " Loyalty is my Honor " by Gordon Williamson for example, but then I expected to read about that situation in those formations.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Thank you!

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Schultz
Re: Political officers in JG / NJG units?
Thu Jul 19 08:09:52 2001


Sadly enough after the bombing attempt on Hitler,units of all the branches of service where suspect of treason, therefore all had to endure some degree of dishonor, the luftwaffe like other units endured this disrespect.
Even before there where occasional checks on the Luftwaffe,most where ignored (as in any military)but they happened.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Larry deZeng
Re: Political officers in JG / NJG units?
Thu Jul 19 14:25:10 2001


Coincident with the July 20th Plot, a special office was set up in the Luftwaffe that came directly under Göring called: Chef des NS-Führungsstab der Luftwaffe (Chief of the National Socialist Leadership Staff of the Luftwaffe). It(he) was responsible for overseeing the political performance and attitude of personnel at all levels of the Luftwaffe, preparing related directives and instructions, and maintaining liaison with the Nazi Party and the political section of OKW. The heads of this section were: Gen.Maj. Hans-Henning Baron von Fölkersamb (6/44 - 12/44) and Gen.Maj. Carl-August Schumacher (1/45 - 5/45). Both of these officers were fanatical Party members as well as Luftwaffe generals. The date of appointment of the first of these suggests that the order to set up this office may have been issued prior to the July 20th Plot. There's loads of material on this subject for those who read German.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rabe Anton
National Socialist Political Officers
Thu Jul 19 15:06:08 2001


See AFHRA 512.62512M, 15 May 1946, Br. Air. Min.,
"GAF in the Grip of the Nazi Party."

RA