Richard Walther Darré

[Stan Engel]

Here's what Wikipedia says aboout him:

Richard Walther Darré (born Ricardo Walther Oscar Darré, also known as Richard Walter Darré; 14 July 1895 - 5 September 1953) was an SS-Obergruppenführer and one of the leading Nazi ‘blood and soil’ ideologists. He served as Reich Minister of Food and Agriculture from 1933 to 1942.

Also known as "Crazyknight", he was born in Belgrano, a Buenos Aires neighbourhood, in Argentina to a German father and half-Swedish, half-German mother.

Darré resigned in 1942, ostensibly on health grounds, but in reality because he disputed an order from Hitler to reduce rations in the labour camps.

Is that correct? Did Darré resign or was he fired? What was the cause for dismissal or resignation? Did infighting with other officials force his ouster? He was succeeded by Herbert Backe, the State Secretary.

Additionally, Wikipedia says this about a speech Darré gave:

Darré became infamous during the war for the following lurid and chilling excerpt of a speech he was said to have made in 1940, which was reported in Life magazine:

"As soon as we beat England we shall make an end of you Englishmen once and for all. Able-bodied men and women between the ages of 16 and 45 will be exported as slaves to the Continent. The old and weak will be exterminated. All men remaining in Britain as slaves will be sterilised; a million or two of the young women of the Nordic type will be segregated in a number of stud farms where, with the assistance of picked German sires, during a period of 10 or 12 years, they will produce annually a series of Nordic infants to be brought up in every way as Germans. These infants will form the future population of Britain. They will be partially educated in Germany and only those who fully satisfy the Nazi's requirements will be allowed to return to Britain and take up permanent residence. The rest will be sterilised and sent to join slave gangs in Germany. Thus, in a generation or two, the British will disappear."

Did Life Magazine report such a speech? Did Darré actually say those things?

[Halfdan S.]

Hi Stan! I'm sorry, I haven't got an answer for your questions - but since I was about to ask a question on Darré antway, I might just as well do it here . . . I would like to know whether Darré kept his rank as Reichsleiter after his resignation/dismissal in 1942? Backe took over his post in the party; Reichsbauernführer and as leader of the Reichsamtes für Agrarpolitik (renamed Reichsamt für das Landvolk), but wasn't made Reichsleiter - as far as I remember Backe rose to Oberbefehlsleiter. So to recapture: Was Darré a Reichsleiter until 1945?

Cheers
Halfdan S.

[Mark Costa]

Halfdan:

Darrés name was stricken from the list of Reichsleiters after 1943. For a short while his name appeared as having been "on leave". Backe replaced Darré as Reichsminister but not Reichsleiter of the NSDAP Agrarian Office. Alhough not on the list he was still allowed to wear his uniform, but was not listed as retired as Wilhelm Grimm was, nor was he fired as was Frank. Darré was simply sent into oblivion without a job and his party office closed and taken under the control of the Party Chancellery.

Mark

[Michal78]

Not bad photo of Darré in uniform of Reichsleiter.
Michal

[J. Duncan]

Does anyone know exactly WHY Darré got sacked in favor of Backe? Goebbels, writing in his Diaries, complains constantly about Darré ("The Fuhrer has had enough of Darré.") but does not really specify a reason why Hitler was so sick of him. Goebbels writes with a vehemence suggesting a hatred for the man.

[Max Williams]

In a word.......inefficiency. Hitler became tired and embarrassed by Darré's continuous promotion of "green" issues and his doctrine of "blood and soil." His influence began to wane from 1936 onwards and after the outbreak of war, Darré failed to gear up agricultural policy and output on a war footing, preferring to continue with hair brained schemes. Backe effectively carried out the role of Agriculture Minister for a couple of years before he officially replaced Darré who steadfastly refused to accept his dismissal.
Max.

[J. Duncan]

Thanks Max. It sounds like Darré was a dreamy idealist with his "head in the clouds" whereas Backe was more of a man of action, an efficient administrator, much needed during a time of crisis.

[AlifRafikKhan]

Source : http://snyderstreasures.com/images/auto ... arreOA.jpg

[AlifRafikKhan]

German General Walter Darré WWII 1944 Signed Litho Printed Hoffmann Photograph.

Darré was appointed Food Minister, later RSHA Minister and died in Munich in 1953.

This is an image of the caption and date "1944" on the back. This was one of the propaganda photographs showing Hitler and Darré together by Hitler's train.

This photo measures 4-3/4 x 6-3/4 inches overall.

The condition is near excellent, with some slight scuffs and a minor crease at the upper left corner from age.

Source : http://snyderstreasures.com/images/auto ... itlerF.jpg

[AlifRafikKhan]

What is the date of his Gruppenführer and Brigadeführer promotion?

[Phil Nix]

He was p romoted Of 24.12.1932 and he was not promoted Bf. He was promoted Gf 13.5.1935
Phil Nix

[AlifRafikKhan]

Thank you Phil...

[Peter]

I read in some sources that Richard Walther Darré was involved in major fraud/corruption and one source (Ailsby) records that in 1942 he was dismissed, found guilty and sentenced to 5 years.

Since Hitler allowed a degree of discreet "self enrichment" for Gauleiters, etc, I am suprised that this happened, it seems more likely that he was guilty of failing in his post as Reich Minister for Food & Agriculture.

Was he found guilty of corruption ?

[Michael Miller]

No offense to him, but that's typical Ailsby rubbish.
You are correct in your supposition that it was his professional failings that led to his dismissal and replacement by Backe.

Best wishes,
~ Mike

[J. Duncan]

If you want to learn more detailed reports about Darre's failings, read Goebbel's Diaries. Goebbels complains about him constantly.