Ernst Kaltenbrunner

[Birgitte Heuschkel]

Anyone have a list of places this fellow operated at from the 30s to the end?

[Michael Miller]

Here's what I currently have on him; hope you find it useful.

Best wishes,
~ Mike Miller / ABR



Dr. jur. Ernst Kaltenbrunner
SS-Obergruppenführer und
General der Waffen-SS und Polizei /
Staatssekretär / M.d.R.


Born: 4. October 1903 in Ried / Innkreis / Oberösterreich.
Hanged: 16. October 1946 in Nürnberg Prison.

NSDAP-Nr.: 300 179
(Joined 18. Oct. 1930)
SS-Nr.: 13 039
(Joined 31. Aug. 1931)

Promotions:
General der Waffen-SS: 1. Dec. 1944
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei: 21. Jun. 1943
Generalleutnant der Polizei: 1. Apr. 1941
SS-Untersturmführer d.R. (Waffen-SS: 1. Jul. 1940
SS-Gruppenführer: 11. Sep. 1938
SS-Brigadeführer: 12. Mar. 1938
SS-Oberführer: 20. Apr. 1937
SS-Standartenführer: 20. Apr. 1936
SS-Sturmhauptführer: 25. Sep. 1932
SS-

Career:
Attended Realgymnasium in Linz, then studied chemistry at the Technische Hochschule in Graz. Studied law at University of Graz; Promoted Dr. jur.: 1926. Employed for one year in a Salzburg court, then practiced law in Linz (ultimately became involved in Nazi political activities). Joined Austrian NSDAP: Oct. 1930. Joined SS, assigned to Staff of SS-Abschnitt VIII (Linz) as legal advisor: 31. Aug. 1931 -. In custody of Austrian authorities at Anhaltelager Kaisersteinbruch in the Burgenland for Nazi political activities: Jan. 1934 - Apr. 1934. Führer of 37.SS-Standarte (Base: Linz): 15. Jun. 1934 - 15. Jun. 1935. Rearrested following Austrian Nazi Putsch of 25. July 1934 and charged with high treason; released, 1935. Disbarred by Austrian authorities for his political activities. Führer of SS-Abschnitt VIII (Linz): 15. Jun. 1935 - 12. Mar. 1938 [Abschnitt officially banned by Austrian government, continued to exist in secrecy]. Arrested for treason (sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and forbidden to practice law): May 1935. Staatssekretär für die öffentliche Sicherheit (State Secretary for Security in Austrian Government of Dr. jur. Artur Seyss-Inquart): 11. Mar. 1938 -. Führer of SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau" (HQ: Linz to Mar. 1938, then VIenna; Retitled from SS-Oberabschnitt "Österreich", May 1938): 20. Jan. 1937 - 31. Jan. 1943. Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Donau" (HQ: Vienna): 11. Sep. 1938 - 31. Jan. 1943. Member of the Reichstag (Wahlkreis Oberösterreich): Jan. 1939 - 8. May 1945. Chef of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA): 1. Jan. 1943 - May 1945. Staatssekretär für Sicherheitswesen im Reichsministerium des Innern (State Secretary for Security Matters in Reich Ministry of Interior): Aug. 1943 - 8. May 1945.

Postwar Prosecution:
Fled to the Tyrol, Apr. 1945, reestablishing his heaquarters at Alt-Aussee. Captured by U.S. troops, he was tried by the International Military Tribunal at Nürnberg. Represented by Dr. Kurt Kauffmann. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on 18. Nov. 1945. Kaltenbrunner denied responsibility for virtually all of the crimes of which he was accused, asserting that he had only visited a concentration camp (Mauthausen) on one occasion; that he had never seen a gas chamber; that his signature on numerous incriminating documents was forged; and that he had no real power or influence. He stated: “I do not feel guilty of any war crimes. I have only done my duty as an intelligence organ and I refuse to serve as an Ersatz [substitute] for Himmler.” Convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, he was sentenced to death on 1. Oct. 1946.

Decorations & Awards:
~ Ritterkreuz des KVK mit Schwertern: 15. Nov. 1944 as SS- Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, Chef of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt
~ Deutsches Kreuz in Silber: 22. Oct. 1943
Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern: 30. Jan. 1943
Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange "Prager Burg"
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen: 30. Jan. 1939
Blutorden: 31. May 1942
Dienstauszeichnungen der NSDAP in Silber und Bronze
SS-Dienstauszeichnungen
Ehrendegen des RF SS
Totenkopfring der SS
Ehrenwinkel für Altekämpfer

Notes:
* Son of the attorney Hugo Kaltenbrunner (born 22. Aug. 1875 in Grieskirchen as son of the attorney Dr. Karl Kaltenbrunner) and his wife, Therese (née Udwardy; died 1943). Grew up in a strongly German nationalist and anti-church household. Two brothers: Dr. jur. Werner Kaltenbrunner (born 26. Jul. 1905 in Ried) became an attorney in Vöcklabruck and was also an SS member (SS-Nr. 487 762), holding the rank of SS-Untersturmführer with the SS-Hauptamt; and Dr. Roland Kaltenbrunner (born in Raab / Oberdonau, 2. Jan. 1910) rose to become Secretary of Commerce for Gau Oberdonau of the NSDAP in Linz, as well as an SS-Obersturmführer with the Hauptamt SS-Gericht(SS-Nr. 309 461).
* Religion: Catholic; left church with his wife, and they subsequently declared themselves “gottgläubig”.
* Married to Elisabeth (Lisl) Eder (Born 20. Oct. 1908 in Linz; NSDAP-Nr. 301 490; Member of NS-Frauenschaft), 14. Jan. 1934; one son born 28. Feb. 1935 and one daughter born 25. Jul. 1937.
* Kaltenbrunner’s face was badly scarred as the result of an auto accident.

[Birgitte Heuschkel]

Michael, you are a hero. Give yourself a cup of coffee on me.

[Mark C. Yerger]

You might like to find a copy of the Kaltenbrunner biography by Black, I think one of the best researched books actually combining insight and facts. Also a lot of info on Austria and the SS/NSDAP included due to Kaltenbrunner's career in that country.

Best
Mark