Hans Kammler

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Disciple9
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Hans Kammler

#1

Post by Disciple9 » 07 Jan 2003, 21:41

Hello
I am looking for biographical information on SS General Hans Kammler. He used to be in charge of the V2 production site at Nordhausen (and the Dora camp next door), among other things.

Does anyone know where I can find some relevant information? Pictures?

Thanks a lot

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sylvieK4
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#2

Post by sylvieK4 » 08 Jan 2003, 00:12

Here is a photo of Kammler. It is on a site with some information about the V2 project:

http://www.v2rocket.com/start/deploymen ... lfsen.html

Image


Disciple9
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Kammler's life

#3

Post by Disciple9 » 08 Jan 2003, 01:44

Thanks for that.
This is info I had not run into before.
However, I still can't find any info on Kammler at the end of the war. Apparently there are several conflicting versions of his death, but nothing too credible.
Also, can't find anything on his life before the war.
Another topic of great interest in his relation to the construction of underground factory, mostly in Silesia and in relation to the "Riese" project.

Any help would most appreciated.

Thanks

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Michael Miller
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SS-Ogruf.u.Gen.d.W-SS Dr.-Ing. Hans Kammler

#4

Post by Michael Miller » 08 Jan 2003, 05:34

Here is the information I currently have on Kammler.

Best wishes,
~ Mike Miller / ABR



Dr.-Ing.
Hans Friedrich Karl Franz Kammler
SS-Obergruppenführer
und General der Waffen-SS


Born: 26. August 1901 in Stettin / Pommern.
Suicide: 9. May 1945 near Eule / Böhmen (probably by cyanide).

NSDAP-Nr.: 1 011 855
(Joined 1. March 1932)
SS-Nr.: 113 619
(Joined 20. May 1933)

Promotions:
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS: 1. March 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS: 30. January 1944
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS: 20. April 1942
SS-Oberführer: 1. June 1941
SS-Standartenführer: 1. August 1940
SS-Obersturmbannführer: 1. June 1939
SS-Sturmbannführer: 11. September 1938
Leutnant d.R.: 1937
SS-Hauptsturmführer: 12. September 1937
SS-Obersturmführer: 20. April 1937
SS-Untersturmführer: 20. April 1936

Career:
Attended schools in Bromberg, Ulm an der Donau, and Danzig: 1908 - 1919; passed Reifeprüfung (school leaving examination) at the humanistic Städtischen Gymnasium in Danzig: 1919. Volunteered for service,assigned to Leib-Husaren-Regiment "Königin Viktoria von Preussen" Nr. 2 (Danzig): 6. February 1919 - 10. April 1919, then to the Kavallerie-Abteilung of Sturmabteilung "Rossbach" (Freikorps) in Grenzschutz Ost: 23. May 1919 - 31. July 1919. Studies in architectural department of Technischen Hochschulen Danzig and München: Winter Semester 1919 - Winter Semester 1923. Passed preliminary diploma examination at Technischen Hochschule Danzig: 29. October 1921, then final diploma examination at the same school: 25. October 1923. Training in structural engineering (under Regierungsbaumeister a.D. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paul Weber, Berlin) for entrance into the Prussian civil service: February 1924 - August 1925. Municipal building manager for the settlement of Berlin-Zehlendorf: February 1924 - February 1925. Self-employed design and construction manager for agricultural, horticultural, and farming settlements: February 1925 - August 1925 and intermittently until April 1928. Engaged in extensive apartment and settlement (sub-division) building projects in Berlin and Bochum; involved in contract bidding for the development of general construction plans as well for the erection of office and administrative buildings, schools, and movie theaters; active in the Preussischen Bau- und Finanzdirektion (Prussian Building and Finance Administration), Berlin; engaged in project management for the building of vehicle garages, police communications towers in Berlin-Adlershof and large scale renovation of government office complexes in Berlin; design and financial planning for the building of numerous police vehicle garages, repair facilities, and a Polizeikraftfahrschule (police driving school) with repair facilities; engaged in construction of associated workshops, classrooms and a test track for the Polizei-Kraftverkehrsamt (Police Transportation Administration) of Berlin; also involved in the the planning of the Polizeischule für Leibesübungen (Police Physical Education School) and the Polizei-Schwimmanstalt (swimming complex), both in Bad Schandau / Landkreis Pirna / Sachsen; Project management for construction and administrative activities within the Preussischen Bau- und Finanzdirektion and within Abteilung II and III of the Government in Potsdam, the Polizeipräsidium Berlin, and the Katasterdirektion, (land registry directorate) Berlin: August 1925 - February 1927. Outside collaboration (with approval of the Preussischen Bau- und Finanzdirektion [Prussian Building and Finance Administration]) with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paul Weber in Berlin: August 1925 - April 1928. Employed as instructor of construction theory in area of structural engineering: January 1926 - March 1926. Appointed Regierungsbaumeister (Government Master Builder): 4. February 1928. Research consultant within the Reichsarbeitsministerium - Reichsforschungsgesellschaft für Wirtschaftlichkeit im Bau- und Wohnungswesen (Reich Research Council for Construction and Housing Economics) and as executive representative for the Ministry during meetings and discussions concerning both domestic and international issues as well as giving research presentations at Technical Universities: 1. April 1928 - 28. March 1931. Senior consultant for the Förderung von Bauforschungen (Foundation for Construction Research), Berlin; within the Reichsarbeitsministerium, Administrative Head for research and communications responsible for all information distribution at the state, provincial and local levels: 1. April 1931 - 1. September 1933. Consultant with the ingenieurtechnischen Abteilung (engineering and technical department) of the NSDAP Gau Gross-Berlin: 1931 - 1933. Joined NSDAP: 1. March 1932. Promoted Dr.-Ing. by Technische Hochschule of Hannover: 29. November 1932. Member of the Board of Directors of the "Heimat" Gemeinnützige Bau- und Siedlungs AG ("Homeland" building and housing cooperative), Berlin-Zehlendorf: 1933. Leiter of the Abteilung für Wohnungs- und Siedlungswesen der agrarpolitischen Abteilung der Gauleitung des Gaues Gross-Berlin der NSDAP (department head for residential and settlement planning within the agricultural policy branch of the NSDAP Gau Gross-Berlin): 1933 - 1936. Employed in Amt for Agrarpolitik, Reichsleitung der NSDAP: 1933 - 1934. Joined SS, assigned to SS-Reitersturm 1 of SS-Reiter-Standarte 7 (Base: Berlin; Kammler’s duties included racial background verification): 20. May 1933 -. On assignment with the Amt für Agrarpolitik of the Reichsleitung der NSDAP during the organization and initial leadership of the Reichsbund der Kleingärtner und Kleinsiedler (Reich Garden and Settlement Association): 1933 - 14. June 1935 (released from that position at his own request with approval of Reichsleiter Richard Walter Darre). Referent in Abteilung VII (Staatseigener Grundbesitz, Bauerliche Siedlung / State Properties - Agricultural Settlements); Later within Abteilung VII Bäuerliche Siedlung / Agricultural Settlement - Land Use), both of the Reich and Prussian Ministry for Food Production and Agriculture; Personal assistant to the department head for Abteilung Siedlung und Osthilfe (Settlement and Eastern Relief); Referent for the Reichsstelle für Umsiedlung (Reich Resettlement Office); Referent for the Reichsstelle für Raumordnung (Reich Environmental Planning Office); Verbindungsreferent (liaison consultant) for inter-ministry issues concerning environmental planning: 1. October 1933 - 1. June 1936. Member of the Reichbund der Deutschen Beamten (Reich Association of Civil Servants): 11. December 1933 -. Promoted Regierungsrat in the civil service: 1. August 1934. Leiter of the Reichsgutachterausschusses für Bauvergebung (Reich Evaluation Committee for [construction] Contract Bidding): 1934 -. Member of the board of the Gemeinnützigen Wohnungsbau AG Gross-Berlin (Housing Cooperative Co. of Greater Berlin): 1934 -. Member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bauuntersuchungen (Labor Association for Building Studies) in the Reichsarbeitsministerium: 1934 -. Appointed as Ehrenmeister des Deutschen Handwerks (Honorary Master of German Trades): 3. June 1935. Reichsheer training with Kavallerie-Regiment 3: 16. September 1935 - 12. October 1935 & 14. September 1936 - 10. October 1936. Reichsheer training with Reiterschwadron of Regiment "Göring": 18. June 1937 - 7. June 1937; 3. September 1937 - 24. September 1937; 24. May 1939 - 20. June 1939. Member of the Lebensborn Society:. Referent for construction activities in a Luftkreis and Luftgau of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium; engaged in construction of staff housing for Luftwaffe personnel as well as construction of a Luftwaffe and air transport communications network; also directed construction of medical facilities and other special projects: 1. June 1936 - . Attached to Staff of SS Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt: 20. April 1936 - 1. August 1940. Promoted Regierungsbaurat: 1. November 1936. Promoted Oberregierungsbaurat and assigned as Gruppenleiter in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium: 1. June 1937. Lecturer on ideological subjects for the Berlin Schutzpolizei: 1937 -. Member of the Senat der Deutschen Akademie für Bauforschung (Senate of the German Academy for Construction Research) and the Krankenhausbauausschuss des Deutschen Gemeindetages (Hospital Construction Planning Committee of the German Municipal Council). Baudirektor der Luftwaffe and Baudirektor attached to Luftgaukommando II, Berlin: 20. April 1940 - 31. May 1941. Requested release from Reich civil service (with effect from 31. May 1941): 29. May 1941. Assigned to Staff, Hauptamt Verwaltung und Wirtschaft: 1. August 1940 -. Entered active service in Waffen-SS and assigned as Chef of Amt II (Bauten / Construction) in Hauptamt Haushalt und Bauten: 1. June 1941 - 1. February 1942. Chef of Amtsgruppe C (Bauwesen / Construction Matters) in the SS-Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungshauptamt: 1. February 1942 - April 1945. Assigned to leadership role in construction of underground assembly facilities for the A4 (V2)-Raketenprogramm (rocket program): 21. Aug. 1943 -. Responsible for the completion of large scale underground facilities to ensure ongoing fighter aircraft production: 4. March 1944 -. Involved with the Jägerstab (Fighter Staff) at the RMKR (Reich Ministry for Armaments and War Production): Mar. 1944 - 1. Aug. 1944. Involved in the Rüstungsstab (Armaments Staff; the reorganized successor organization to the Jägerstab) in RMKR: 1. Aug. 1944 -. Assigned by Reichsführer-SS to oversee the introduction to service of the A4 (V2) rocket under the immediate supervision of the Reichsführer-SS and the Chef of the SS-Führungshauptamt (SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Hans Jüttner): 8. August 1944 -. Sonderbeauftragter und Sonderbevollmächtigter 2 des RF SS (Special representative and second deputy to the Reichsführer-SS) attached to the RMRK, as well as Chef der Sonderinspektion V (Chief Inspector for V [retaliatory] Weapons): . Member of the SS-Führungsstab Bauwirtschaft- unterirdische Vorhaben (SS leadership staff for construction of underground facilities): . By Führer order, appointed head of V1 and V2 production and Befollmächtigter des Führers Strahlenforschung (Plenipotentiary of the Führer for rocket and jet-powered weapons research): 31. January 1945 -. Kommandeur of Division z.V. (zur Vergeltung): 31. January 1945 - 3. February 1945. m.d.F.b. (charged with command [by Reichsführer-SS]) of Armee-Korps z.V. (corps responsible for employment of V-Waffen [Vengeance Weapons]): 3. February 1945 - May 1945. Deputy of the Reichsführer-SS and Oberbefehlshaber des Ersatzheeres attached to the Kuratorium für Hochfrequenzforschung (Committee for High Frequency Research): 13. Feb. 1945 - May 1945. Leiter of the "Sonderstab Kammler" (Kammler Special Staff, responsible for numerous armament production projects under the direct orders and instructions of the Reichsführer-SS, Reich Armaments Minister Speer, and Hitler): 13. February 1945 - May 1945.

Decorations & Awards:
~ Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes mit Schwertern: 1945 as SS- Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
~ Deutsches Kreuz in Gold: 28. November 1944 as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse: 1944
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse: 1944
Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern
Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern
Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Verdienstkreuz II. Klasse des Ehrenzeichens des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes
Deutsches Reiterabzeichen in Silber und Bronze
Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Silber
Ehrendegen des RF SS
Totenkopfring der SS
SS-Zivilabzeichen Nr. 55 555
Ehrenwinkel für Altekämpfer
Julleuchter

Notes:
* Son of the Royal Prussian Army Oberleutnant (later Oberst) of Infantry and Gendarmerie Franz Kammler and his wife Maria, nee Steinhausen.
* Religion: Protestant until 1932, then declared himself “gottgläubig”.
* Married on 14. June 1930 to Jutta Carla Anna Horn (born 12. April 1908 in Naumburg/Saale; Member of NSV, NS-Studentenbund, and NSBDt). Two sons (born 11. February 1940 and 10. December 1943) and four daughters (born 13. March 1931 [died 16. September 1931]; 25. March 1932; 6. July 1934 [died 12. March 1936]; and 11. February 1937).
* Planned and organized construction of gas chambers, crematoria, and other facilities at Auschwitz-Birkenau, 1941 - 1943.
* Visited Auschwitz on an inspection tour with Himmler, 17. July 1942.
* Oversaw the demolition of remaining structures in the former Warsaw Ghetto, Summer 1943.
* Described by Heinz Höhne in The Order of the Death's Head as "... one of the most unscrupulous careerists ever to wear SS uniform... his ambition was abnormal even by SS standards; he would build gas chambers in Auschwitz or launching ramps for flying bombs with equal attention to detail. He eventually became a[n Ober]gruppenführer but in spite of his exalted position bore no loyalty to the SS; for him the Order was nothing but a ladder for his own advancement."
* In his diary entry of 3. April 1945, Reichsminister Dr. Goebbels wrote: “The Führer has had very prolonged discussions with Obergruppenführer Kammler who now carries responsibility for the reform of the Luftwaffe. Kammler is doing excellently and great hopes are placed on him.”
* In March 1945, with U.S. forces advancing through Germany, the slave laborers who had assembled the V weapons at the Dora-Mittelbau concentration camp were to be executed as security risks. It is believed that the order for their murder was received by Kammler, but he did not comply with it.
* On 9. July 1945, Kammler's widow petitioned the court to have her husband declared dead as of 9. May 1945. She included a sworn statement, dated 8. May 1948, by Kammler's driver, SS-Oberscharführer Kurt Preuk. According to Preuk, he had personally seen "the corpse of Kammler and been present at his burial" on 9. May 1945. By a ruling of the District Court of Berlin-Charlottenburg on 7. September 1948; (file 14.II 344/48); Kammler’s death on 9. May 1945 was officially established. In another sworn statement on 16. October 1959 concerning death benefits, Kurt Preuk stated that the date of death was "about 10. May 1945", but that he was not aware of the cause of death. On 7. September 1965, a wartime aide to Kammler, Heinz Zeuner (born 12. May 1921 in Clausthal-Zellerfeld), stated that Kammler died on 7. May 1945, South of Daffle/Moldavia. Zeuner stated that he, along with Preuk and others of Kammler's staff, observed the SS General's corpse. All eyewitnesses consulted on the matter asserted their certainty that cause of death was cyanide poisoning.
* The Central War Crimes Office for Nordrhein-Westfalen conducted an inquiry into Kammler's involvement with the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, issuing the following statement to the Senior Public Prosecutor in Köln on 3. October 1963: "...the death of the accused (as documented by the District Court of Berlin-Charlottenburg) has completed the execution of this case..."
* Height: 5 ft., 11 in. (180 cm).

fblau
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Kammler

#5

Post by fblau » 18 Nov 2006, 22:27

I just finished reading James McGovern's "Crossbow and Overcast" and he offers up the story of Kammler and some fellow SS member being overrun in a bunker as Prague fell to partisans. In his account, Kammler's loyal SS soldier shot him in the head as he was ordered to do when the situation was "hopeless".

I don't know of you are still following this thread, but I hope that helps.

Jan-Hendrik
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#6

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 19 Nov 2006, 10:24

An excellent and very detailed bio of Hans Kammler can be found in "Die Generale der Waffen-SS und der Polizei", Band 2 , by our dear forum moderators Dieter and AnDie, published by Biblioverlag in Germany .

Jan-Hendrik

Potsdamerplatz
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#7

Post by Potsdamerplatz » 19 Nov 2006, 10:59

* Planned and organized construction of gas chambers, crematoria, and other facilities at Auschwitz-Birkenau, 1941 - 1943.
* Visited Auschwitz on an inspection tour with Himmler, 17. July 1942.
Thank you for confirming this information Mr.Miller.

I mentioned this fact on a thread earlier this year and was told I was talking nonsense. I was sure that Kammler had been at Auschwitz during the beginning of the early extermination process.

Thanks also to sylvieK4 for the great photograph.

Best regards,

coops2000
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Re: Kammler's life

#8

Post by coops2000 » 21 Jul 2007, 21:33

Is the Riese project the same as the "Giant"?

I may be able to get some more info if you are interested. I had a contact in Poland, but haven't heard from him for some time, however he has been to the Giant. It's also linked with Kammler in that in that area there is the Wenceslas mine somewhere in that vacinity I think....

Disciple9 wrote:Thanks for that.
This is info I had not run into before.
However, I still can't find any info on Kammler at the end of the war. Apparently there are several conflicting versions of his death, but nothing too credible.
Also, can't find anything on his life before the war.
Another topic of great interest in his relation to the construction of underground factory, mostly in Silesia and in relation to the "Riese" project.

Any help would most appreciated.

Thanks

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Silke
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Joined: 26 Aug 2007, 19:41
Location: Olsztyn, Poland

Re: Kammler's life

#9

Post by Silke » 07 Sep 2007, 16:35

coops2000 wrote:Is the Riese project the same as the "Giant"?
Yes, it´s the same. Have a look here:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=76004

Silke

coops2000
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Location: Leicester

#10

Post by coops2000 » 07 Sep 2007, 19:38

Yes, thats the bloke... Pietre (Wars98) from the Warsaw voice

KKC
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Hans Kammler Myth

#11

Post by KKC » 30 Jan 2008, 23:36

Hello,

After reading several threads on this forum and others, I have found many postings, primarily between 2002 and 2003, that indicate General Hans Kammler had surrendered to Allied forces. One site even had a posting that documents regarding his surrender were found. It was stated that the documents were forensically tested.

It's now 2008. Have any of these claims been verified? Is there any further evidence to support Kammler's survival after the war? Or, have all these claims been proven false?

Very Curious,

KKC

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Silke
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Re: Hans Kammler Myth

#12

Post by Silke » 31 Jan 2008, 00:46

KKC wrote:It's now 2008. Have any of these claims been verified? Is there any further evidence to support Kammler's survival after the war? Or, have all these claims been proven false?
I read several threads on German web forums during the last months. My understanding is that the speculations about Kammler´s whereabouts after April 1945 are still going on without much changing since 2003.
Although, I found a hint on Rainer Fröbe, a German historian, who has published a short bio on Kammler with Roland Smelser/Enrico Syring: Die SS. Elite unter dem Totenkopf. Fröbe is reported to be an excellent expert on Kammler and is mentioned writing his dissertation about him. I couldn´t find out if this is really true and if so when Fröbe´s dissertation is going to be published.
Some of the pictures here were new to me:
http://www.einbeck1.de/html/kammler.html

Best regards,

Silke

KKC
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#13

Post by KKC » 31 Jan 2008, 03:06

Hi Silke,

Thanks for the quick reply and tip regarding Rainer Frobe. Since he's considered a Kammler expert, do you think he addresses these alleged post-war stories, or do you think his research is dedicated to Kammler's wartime activities? I had learned on another forum that the most in-depth biography on Kammler was in Vol.2 of "Die Generale der Waffen-SS und der Polizei" by Schulz/Zinke/ Wegmann. Have you heard of these authors?

KKC

KKC
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Location: USA

#14

Post by KKC » 31 Jan 2008, 03:09

Hi Silke,

My mistake. It was on this forum I learned about the second book. My apologies to that member.

KKC

Andreas Schulz
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#15

Post by Andreas Schulz » 31 Jan 2008, 11:25

We are the authors. Yes, in our volume 2 is a long bio of Kammler (16 pages).

AnDie (Andreas Schulz) & Oberstab (Dr. Dieter Zinke)

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