How many times was Hitler imprisoned?

[Mannheim]

I keep getting different answers to this question. Anyone got a definitive answer?

[Mannheim]

I'd settle for 'arrested'.

[DavidFrankenberg]

2 times.
1 time for having insulted some political man. Hitler was very angry after him and made him killed during the night of the long knives in 1934.
1 time for the putsch of november 1923.

[Hans1906]

Quote: "1 time for having insulted some political man. Hitler was very angry after him and made him killed during the night of the long knives in 1934."

David, can you please elaborate, thank you very much.


Hans1906

[GregSingh]

September 21st, 1921
AH was arrested on suspicion of preparing a coup and his apartment was searched.
September 22nd, 1921
Released due to lack of evidence.

[Mannheim]

Thanks, Greg. I have a vague memory of reading that he had done some time (three months) before his Landsberg stay which is why I posed the question. Time for some more reading ...

[GregSingh]

In January 1922 AH was sentenced to three months in jail for breach of the peace (disruption of a meeting of Bayerbund on 14 of September 1921). He spent a month (June/July 1922) in Stadelheim Prison.

Apparently during the Bayerbund meeting, AH assaulted the founder - Otto Ballerstedt.
Otto Ballerstedt's body was found in the forest after on 30 June 1934 he was arrested by SS men in his Munich apartment.

[Mannheim]

That's exactly it, Greg! I can't remember where I read it. I thought perhaps Timothy Ryback's "Personal Library of Adolf Hitler' but can't find it therein. I do recall there was a reference to some SA men being murdered in Stadelheim gaol. Not to worry, it'll turn up. Thanks again!

[George L Gregory]

That's exactly it, Greg! I can't remember where I read it. I thought perhaps Timothy Ryback's "Personal Library of Adolf Hitler' but can't find it therein. I do recall there was a reference to some SA men being murdered in Stadelheim gaol. Not to worry, it'll turn up. Thanks again!

Maybe you read it in Ian Kershaw’s biography of Hitler.

Hitler’s provocation of his political enemies and of the authorities to gain publicity was stepped up. In mid-September he led the planned violent disruption by his followers of a meeting in the Löwenbräukeller, to be addressed by one of his arch-enemies at the time, the separatist leader of the Bayernbund, Otto Ballerstedt. Hitler’s arrival in the packed hall was the signal for his supporters, many of them young thugs from the ‘Sport Section’ who had taken up seats around the platform early in the evening, to storm the podium, screaming ‘Hitler’ continually in chorus, and prevent Ballerstedt from speaking. Someone had the idea of switching off the lights to prevent a brawl. But this only made the disturbance worse. When the lights went on again, Ballerstedt and another member of his party were physically attacked and injured before the police could arrive. Even then, it seems, the police had to ask Hitler’s help in calling his men to order. He was by this time happy enough to do so. The aim had been met. ‘Ballerstedt won’t speak any more today,’ he declared.

The matter did not, however, end there. Ballerstedt pressed charges against Hitler, who was sentenced in January 1922 to three months’ imprisonment for breach of the peace – two months suspended against future good behaviour (though conveniently forgotten about when the good behaviour did not materialize). Even his powerful friends could not prevent him serving the other month of his sentence. Between 24 June and 27 July 1922 he took up residence in Stadelheim prison in Munich.

[Hans1906]

Thanks to Mr. GregSingh, my above question is answered.

Quote from GregSingh:
"In January 1922 AH was sentenced to three months in jail for breach of the peace (disruption of a meeting of Bayerbund on 14 of September 1921). He spent a month (June/July 1922) in Stadelheim Prison.

Apparently during the Bayerbund meeting, AH assaulted the founder - Otto Ballerstedt.
Otto Ballerstedt's body was found in the forest after on 30 June 1934 he was arrested by SS men in his Munich apartment."

Otto Ballerstedt / "Bayernbund" https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Ballerstedt

I was not aware of this part of the story before, and I thank you very much for this information, it's always good to learn something new, that's what distinguishes you and the AHF, very good!


Hans1906

[DavidFrankenberg]

Sorry Hans, i didnt read your question before. But Greg answered it very well.
Peter Longerich talks about it in his Hitler. What is very sad is that Otto retired from the political life for many years when he was assassinated.

In the wiki article it is said that Hitler himself attacked physically and injured Otto Ballerstedt. This is the first time i read that Hitler physically attacked someone.
Does anybody have any proof of an other assault committed by Hitler ?

Hitler was known for exhibiting a whip. I wonder if he used it against Ballerstedt ?

[Hans1906]

David, the story about Otto Ballerstedt shows the real character of Hitler, a petty late act of revenge, against a man who was already no longer even involved in the day-to-day political business.

A very late revenge, how pathetic, how cowardly and actually already at that time completely senseless...
I personally can't think of anything more, unfortunately.
Only so much, bad losers, and lousy and resentful, how very pathetic.


Hans1906

[GregSingh]

In the wiki article it is said that Hitler himself attacked physically and injured Otto Ballerstedt

When there was a brawl, it's difficult to establish who did what and when.
According to witnesses, it was beyond doubt that Hitler and Esser orchestrated the whole event.

"Editor Esser rushed against Ballerstedt, because he had always avoided the Jewish question[..], and cockily declared that National Socialists would have to remove Ballerstedt off the podium.[..]Hitler and a group of his people occupied the podium. Ballerstedt tried in vain to get the word out, he was surrounded by a roaring pack, beaten bloody and unceremoniously thrown down from high podium and removed backwards.[..]Men continued to attack him while Hitler from the podium directed the matter. Esser picked up Ballerstedt's walking stick and started beating."

[DavidFrankenberg]

You are absolutely right Hans.
I have read sometimes that what Hitler didnt stand was that Ballerstedt came before a court... it was understood like a treason in the middle of the right-far/right. It's like a mafioso who could not stand another mafioso putting him on trial or something like that. A gang rule.

Hi Greg, this is the way i always heard of the event. Only wiki stipulates that Hitler physically assaulted him.
Like the witnesses you are quoting, i think that Hitler just gave orders and did not dirt his own hands. It does not diminish his responsibility.

[DavidFrankenberg]

Ian Kershaw gives more precisions in his book Hitler. The SA surrounded the podium and shouted "Adolf Hitler"... Someone cut the electricity and a brawl happened. The police intervened. Adolf Hitler managed a deal : the SA would retire if Otto Ballerstedt dont speak anymore tonight. All agreed.
Then Ballerstedt sued him. Hitler spent one month in jail from 24 june till 27 july 1922.

The intervention of the police indicates that some police officers should have witnessed the event.