Himmler's personal staff

[Mikedc]

Hello Max,
Nice thread, hope I can contribute something as well.
Most likely some names I'm mentioning here are mentioned already.
SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Jeppe (Führer z.b.V.).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Walter Graeschke (Führer z.b.V. 24-1-33/1-4-36).
SS-Standartenführer Leo Voggenauer (head Abteilung IV 21-3-33/1-3-36).
SS-Standartenführer Dr. Hans Denker (Referent für Sanitätswesen 1-7-33/22-4-34).
SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Horst Webendörfer (Stabsoffizier z.b.V. 11-33/11-36).
SS-Sturmbannführer Ulrich Graf (Führer z.b.V. end 33/??).
SS-Sturmführer Alfons Weber (Führer z.b.V. end 33/??).
SS-Sturmführer Hans Haggenmüller (Stabsoffizier beginning of 34/??).
SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Hippenstiel (Führer z.b.V. beginning of 34/??).
SS-Standartenführer Ernst Brandes (Stabsoffizier 2-4-34/7-6-35).
SS-Sturmbannführer Leo Petri (Stabsoffizier summer 34/11-35).
SS-Sturmbannführer Max Böttger (Stabsoffizier fall 34/??-37).
SS-Obersturmführer Hans Bastians (Führer z.b.V. fall 34/??).
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Reck (Führer z.b.V. 4-7-35/15-10-35).
SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhel Janowsky (Führer 9-11-35/1-4-36).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Hans Denker (Führer 1-4-36 tot 1-3-38).
SS-Obersturmführer W.O.M. Kleinmann (Stabsoffizier ??-37/??).
SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Werner (Verbindungs-Offizier/liaison-officer with Gauleiter and Reichsstatthalter Sudetenland ??-38/??).
SS-Hauptsturmführer Konrad Spengler (Stabsoffizier 1939).
SS-Brigadeführer H.L.K. Schmitt (Stabsoffizier ??-39/??-44).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Viktor Böttcher (Stabsoffizier ??-39/??-43).
SS-Oberführer Paul Brinkmann (Stabsoffizier 10-9-39 till 20-5-41).
SS-Brigadeführer Hans Döring (Stabsoffizier ??-42/1-4-44).
SS-Brigadeführer Friedrich Schmidt (Stabsoffizier 1-4-42/9-11-44).
SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hennicke (Stabsoffizier 10-42/6-44).
SS-Oberführer Viktor Brack (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/4-45).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Sigfrid Georgii (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Walter Graeschke (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Brigadeführer Ulrich Graf (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Oberführer Dr. Erich Gritzbach (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Brigadeführer Leopold Gutterer (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Standartenführer Dr. Heinz Kurz (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Wege (Stabsoffizier 9-11-44/5-45).

Furthermore I've a lot of names from whom I don't know what their function was:
SS-Oberführer Georg Aumeier.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Rudolf Brandt.
SS-Oberführer Walter Burghardt.
SS-Obergruppenführer Albert Forster.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Franz Gerstl.
SS-Gruppenführer Arthur Karl Greiser.
SS-Untersturmführer Eduard Hiebel.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Ingrisch.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Richard Just.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Korn.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Alfred Maurer.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Willi Rogenz.
SS-Gruppenführer Fritz Schlessmann.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Schneid.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Joseph Volk.
SS-Standartenführer Erich von Warzewski.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Alfred Rokicki.
SS-Standartenführer Josef Weber (??-34 till 2-1-42).
SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Paulus (spring 34/??).
SS-Sturmhauptführer Karl Berling (summer 34/??).
SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Hanns Meixner (10-34/12-38).
SS-Obersturmführer Walter Heggblum (end 34/7-35).
SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Leo Ernst (9-37/8-39).
SS-Gruppenführer Karl Zech (30-1-38/11-42).
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Dittjen (??-38/??).
SS-Sturmbannführer Eberhard Hinderfeld (??-38/??).
SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Knote (??-38/??).
SS-Obersturmführer Kurt Wichmann (1938).
SS-Obersturmführer Ernst Knoblauch (end 38/??-39).
SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Hans-Rolf Sayle (12-38).
SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Friedrich Weber (??-42/??-44).
SS-Untersturmführer Heiner Kurzbein (10-42).
SS-Oberführer Alexander Freiherr von Dörnberg (9-11-44/5-45).
SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Adolf Katz (1-45).

Rohstoffstelle (this became Rohstoffamt later on):
SS-Obersturmbannführer Albert Kloth (head ??-38/7-41).
SS-Standartenführer Albert Kloth (head 15-1-42/??).

Abteilung Vierjahresplan (Dienststelle Greifelt):
SS-Sturmbannführer Albert Kloth (??-37/??-38).

Abteilung Haushalt:
SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Ernst Möckel (Fachführer finances 5-10-33/20-4-35).

Gerichtsamt:
SS-Brigadeführer Hermann Harm (head1-4-37/1-6-38).

Hopefully this is of some use.
Greetings, Mike

[Georges M. Croisier]

Hello
You'll find a lot of information at the German military archives in Freiburg i. Br.

http://www.bundesarchiv.de/index.html.de

Regards Georges

[Max Williams]

Hello
You'll find a lot of information at the German military archives in Freiburg i. Br.

http://www.bundesarchiv.de/index.html.de

Regards Georges

Not on Himmler's personal staff.
Max.

[Max Williams]

Hello Max,
Nice thread, hope I can contribute something as well.
Most likely some names I'm mentioning here are mentioned already.
.......
Hopefully this is of some use.
Greetings, Mike

Mike,
Many thanks. All contributions gratefully received.
Max.

[Georges JEROME]

Preuß. Staatshandbuch 1939 :
- CdDP im RMdI
Polizei-Adjutant Hptm. d. Schupo SS-Hstuf. Suchanek
Adjutant : SS-Hstuf Dörner
- RFSS
Chefadjutant : SS-Oberf. von Alvensleben
1. Adjutant Frhr. von Hadeln, SS-Hstuf.
Adjutant : SS-Ustuf. Peiper
Persönlicher Stab:
Stabsführer SS-Ostubaf. Ullmann
Personlicher Referent des RFSS SS-Hstuf. Dr. Brandt
Pers. Referent des Chefs des Pers. Stabs, SS-Hstuf. Schallermeier
Chef des Protokolls SS-Staf. von Uslar
Verbindungsoffizier : SS-Ostubaf. Prutchnow
Pressestelle SS-Stubaf. Grau
Sachbearbeiter für den Vierjahresplan SS-Oberf. Greifelt

Georges

[Max Williams]

That's excellent.
With all this information we can collate a comprehensive layout of the personnel involved. Keep it coming.
Max.

[giselher]

Mike,

Ernst Knoblauch was the brother of Gruf. Kurt Knoblauch. At one point I opened a thread for him also with a photo. He was employed full time by the SS sometimes around 1938. If I remember correctly he was heading the brickworks in Neuengamme in 1939. I would have to look up details.

Being on Himmler's personal staff? I don't know. This can only have been a very brief period. Maybe a sort of initial training period after becoming and active SS-Officer?

Best Tilman

[Max Williams]

Does anyone have a photo of August Meine please?
Max.

[Landsberger]

What do we know about STAF Baumert, mentioned in this interrogation as liaison between RFSS and Hedwig Potthast? Was that his only duty?

Who is OSTUF Gutgesen?

Thanks.


Ref No SAIC/15
22 May 1945
SEVENTH ARMY INTERROGATION CENTER
Apo 758 US ARMY

HEDWIG POTTHAST, REICHSFUEHRER HIMMLER’S MISTRESS

1. SOURCE

Hedwig POTTAST is an attractive woman in her early thirties, who might be termed the prototype of the Nazi “Deutsche Frau”. She gave the impression of being an unassuming woman rather than a forceful or calculating type.

2. HISTORY
Source was born 6 Feb 1912, in COLOGNE, the daughter of a merchant of middle class family. She attended school in TRIER, and later studied at the Economic institute for Interpreters in MANNHEIM, earning her degree in 1933. From 33-34, she worked as a clerk in a govt office in COBLENZ. In the autumn of 35 she applied for transfer to a post where she could utilize her knowledge of English, and she was subsequently given a position in the Newspaper Dept. of the GESTAPO Office in BERLIN. However, she still had no opportunity to make use of her English, and she asked for a transfer or for permission to resign. She was not allowed to leave the GESTAPO Service, but was given a new position as private secretary to Heinrich HIMMLER, a post she occupied from Jan 36 to the beginning of 41.
Source states that she supervised HIMMLER’S “PIVAT KANZLEI” (Private Chancellery) and that her work was in no way associated with his SS activities.

3. AFFAIR WITH HIMMLER

In the course of the source’s work with HIMMLER an attachment developed which eventually led to a serious love affair. Source left her job in 1941 to lead the life of a loyal, devoted mistress, and she bore two children to HIMMLER in the years which followed. The alliance was not legalized by marriage only because HIMMLER felt that a divorce might result in his wife’s death, as the later had been very ill ever since the birth of her only child. In the autumn of 42 source moved to BERCHTESGADEN, where she remained until just before the Allied occupation.

4. RECENT CONTACTS WITH HIMMLER

Source states that the last time she saw HIMMLER was during the week ending 22 March 45. At that time HIMMLER was confined to bed in a hospital at HOHENLYCHEN near BERLIN, suffering from an attack of grippe. While visiting him there source encountered Dr. Felix KERSTEN of LINNEGATAN 8, STOCKHOLM, a massage specialist who had been treating HIMMLER for years. Dr. KERSTEN told her to call upon him if ever she needed any help. ( A wire from source to Dr. KERSTEN was intercepted by Allied authorities, disclosing source’s location and leading to this interrogation).
While she lived in BERCHTESGADEN, she used to receive daily telephone calls from HIMMLER. She presumes that the calls came from BERLIN, but she is not certain. The last call from him came on 19 April 45. As usual he discussed only personal matters over the phone, although he mentioned the fact that the situation was getting more difficult every day. Before saying goodbye, he promised to call again the following day, but source states that she never spoke to him again. A letter from him arrived the same day, however, delivered by one of HIMMLER’S staff officers. It contained the usual personal messages, but ended with another phrase about difficulties and the hope that God would protect her, the children, and Germany. The letter gave no hints as to HIMMLER’S plans and no directions for source. Source states positively that this was the last word, direct or indirect, which she has received from him.
Previous to the interrogator’s arrival, source had been shown a copy of “Stars and Stripes”, announcing HIMMLER’S capture. She apparently believed this to be true, because she was obviously deeply concerned and shocked when it was suggested that the story might not be true. She could offer no opinion as to his whereabouts, but by a question revealed that she thought he might be in hiding somewhere “trying to save something for Germany”. She does not believe that he has fled to another country, and she claims that he never gave any indication of having any plans in case of a German collapse.

5. HIMMLER’S STAFF

Source mentioned the following personalities on HIMMLER’S private staff:
STAF (SS Col) BAUMERT Acted as private courier between HIMMLER and source.
STAF (SS Col) Dr. BRANDT
Lt Col of Police SUCHANEK
OSTUF (1st Lt) GUTGESEN

6. AFTERMATH

When the Allied advance threatened BERCHTESGADEN, source moved with her children first to ACHENSEE, Tyrol, and subsequently to another address, where this interrogation took place.
After repeatedly protesting that she had burned all her letters from HIMMLER, source finally admitted that she had burned only a small portion of them, as she couldn’t bear to destroy anything so precious to her. Appropriate authorities have been notified regarding the disposition of these letters.

7. HIMMLER

Source states that HIMMLER never discussed politics or SS activities with her, and that she has been completely uninformed on these matters since leaving her job. She considers HIMMLER an idealist with tremendous faith in Germany and the in FUEHRER. She believes that everything he did was for the sake of Germany. He never enriched himself, and never kept valuable presents but gave them to the SS. His only property is his house in GMUND/TEGENSEE, which he bought on a mortgage and paid off over a period of years.
HIMMLER was privately opposed to a continuation of the war against the Western Allies. He attributes the fact that England and the US fought Germany to VON RIBBENTROP’s ineptitude, and believes that another Foreign Minister might have avoided such a disaster.

22 May 1945

SEVENTH ARMY INTERROGATION CENTER
PAUL KUBALA
Major, MI
Commanding

[Max Williams]

Excellent material. Thanks to all contributors.
Max.

[Georges JEROME]

Hello,


Geschäftszimmer II Ostubaf. Gutgesell (mentionned above)

Georges

[Peter]

My notes suggest

SS-Hstuf. Hilmar Gutgesell

born 23 Aug 1913 Neuhaus a. Rwg
SS-Nr. 265.175
NSDAP-Nr. 3.601.528

SS-Ustuf./Ostuf. with Pers. Stab RFSS 1941-44
Promoted SS-Hstuf. 30 Jan 45
SS-Hstuf. with SS-Pz.Gr.AuE.Btl. 1 in Jan 45

[radevich]

Vahrenkamp Wilhelm stubaf 41

Wilhelm VAHRENKAMP SS-Nr.309 718 geb.06.07.1898 NSDAP-Nr.1 215 309
SS-Sturmbannführer: 09.11.1941

[Oberhessin]

Walter Burghardt was responsible for the Mob-Pläne in the Parteikanzlei. He died in 1938, his successor was Kurt Knoblauch.

[radevich]

Treusch Wilhelm also Abwehrbeauftragter im Pers. Stab RFSS

Wilhelm TREUSCH SS-Nr. 291.215 geb.24.01.1905 NSDAP-Nr. 6.086.424
SS-Stubaf..: 20.04.1942