Graf Von Helldorff and Compiègne 1918

[gooster99]

Wolf Heinrich Graf Von Helldorff is one of the most enigmatic people in the Nazi regime but very little about him appears to have been written. He is probably the most senior Nazi to have been involved in the July 20th plot.

When Germany signed the armistice at Compiegne in November 1918 there were 2 interpreters in the party. One was Rittmeister (cavalry captain) Von Helldorff. German Wikipedia states this is the same future Nazi whereas English Wikipedia ignores it. Personally I think this was his older cousin Ferdinand but have no proof.

Can anyone shed some light please

[Br. James]

Our colleague and friend, Mike Miller, offers a detailed 16-page biographical sketch of Count von Helldorf in his "Leaders of the Storm Troops," Volume I, 2015, published by Helion & Co.

Br. James

[Michael Miller]

Our colleague and friend, Mike Miller, offers a detailed 16-page biographical sketch of Count von Helldorf in his "Leaders of the Storm Troops," Volume I, 2015, published by Helion & Co.

Br. James

Thank you for mentioning that, James.

In the upcoming third volume of my and Andreas Schulz's new series SA-Führer: The Senior Leadership of Hitler's Storm Troops, 1920-1945 (the first two volumes of which should be published this year by Fonthill), Helldorff will be granted upwards of 50 pages of text and ca. 75 photos. Hoping for a 2024 release on that fourth volume.

Best wishes,
~ Mike

[Michael Miller]

Regarding this question, I had the same one when I recently watched the recent German production of "All Quiet on the Western Front" on Netflix, which included a Rittmeister von Helldorff among the German delegation but with no first name specified. I then found many references to this via Google, some of which make the claim that it was Wolf-Heinrich. According to information from my coauthor, Andreas Schulz, he was assigned to the Dolmetscher-Schule in Berlin after passing his interpreter's examination on 6 November 1918.

00.10.1918-06.11.1918 Underwent training at the Dolmetscher-Schule in Berlin
06.11.1918 Successfully passed his Dolmetscher-Prüfung (interpreter’s examination) and assigned to the Dolmetscher-Schule.
14.01.1919 By order of the Kriegsministerium, returned to duty with Husaren-Regiment 12.

I can't give a definitive answer on this. It may indeed have been Ferdinand, but given his recent training as an interpreter, perhaps Wolf-Heinrich.

Best wishes,
~ Mike

[Br. James]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for sharing the news about your new series titled "SA-Führer," coming out from Fonthill. Having just checked the Fonthill website and not finding any word about your series there, I hope and trust that you will let us know when and how to order these new volumes -- hopefully signed and numbered editions, too!

With all good wishes for this and every new project you have in the works, my friend,

Br. James

[Glenn2438]

Mike,

There were numerous von Helldorff‘s serving in WW1 and I have yet to look into them all but given that the Dolmetscher was a Rittmeister, that would presumably rule out Wolf-Heinrich who held the rank of Leutnant in 1918?

Unless of course, there is a mistake with the rank.

Regards
Glenn

[Michael Miller]

Good point, Glenn. I hadn't considered the rank issue.

Wolf-Heinrich Graf von Helldorff:
22.03.1915 Leutnant (ohne Patent; 10.12.1919: Granted Patent vom 22.03.1915)

~ Mike

[Mark Costa]

Here are some nice photos of Helldorf wearing his Heer uniform during the second world war -- sometime in 1941.

Mark Costa

[Mark Costa]

Here are some documents of Helldorf related to his WWI service. Hopes this helps some.

Mark Costa

[Michael Miller]

Thanks for posting these, Mark.

I will always regret not finding that lot in time. It was quite affordable and there's nothing I'd rather own. It even included his Feldmütze!

~ Mike

[Mark Costa]

Thanks for posting these, Mark.

I will always regret not finding that lot in time. It was quite affordable and there's nothing I'd rather own. It even included his Feldmütze!

~ Mike

Mike:

Would have grabbed it myself but short of $$ at the time of the auction. A new auction coming up soon hope there are some goodies in it.

Mark

[Glenn2438]

I am unclear as to when he was elevated to the noble rank of Graf. He is shown in the Ehrenrangliste as plain von Helldorff as at 1918.

Regards
Glenn

[gooster99]

There is also a potential reference to Von Helldorff in another unusual place - the Vrba-Wetzler report makes 2 references to a new and vicious camp doctor (Hauptsturmfuhrer) who took over Auschwitz selections from the late summer of 1943. I presume they are referring to Mengele (the report says they have forgotten his name). They go on to say about this doctor that he is the "son or nephew of the Police President of Berlin". This comment is made on page 15 and 17 of their report.

An amazing connection if its true.

[Michael Miller]

There is also a potential reference to Von Helldorff in another unusual place - the Vrba-Wetzler report makes 2 references to a new and vicious camp doctor (Hauptsturmfuhrer) who took over Auschwitz selections from the late summer of 1943. I presume they are referring to Mengele (the report says they have forgotten his name). They go on to say about this doctor that he is the "son or nephew of the Police President of Berlin". This comment is made on page 15 and 17 of their report.

An amazing connection if its true.

I'm pretty near certain there was no familial relationship between von Helldorff and Dr. Josef Mengele. And I could be wrong, but I would think any nephew of von Helldorff (his children are accounted for- see below) would bear some title of nobility.

Married in Rothenburg ob der Tauber on 11.10.1920 to Ingeborg von Wedel (*10.11.1894 in Darmstadt, †08.04.1971 in Münster, the daughter of Oberst Benno von Wedel and his wife Elsbeth, née von Dewitz; her previous married name was Marschalck von Bachtenbrock; sister of the eventual SS-Brigadeführer, and successor to Graf Helldorff as Polizeipräsident in Potsdam, Wilhelm Graf von Wedel (*18.11.1891, †19.10.1939 in Potsdam). Four sons and one daughter were born to the marriage:

-Wolf-Ingo Ferdinand Julius Heinrich Benno Graf von Helldorff (*23.10.1921 in Leipzig), captured by Allied forces at La Haye as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel in 2. Kompanie/Panzer-Regiment 130.
-Joachim Ferdinand Hans Heinrich Wedego Graf von Helldorff (*06.03.1923 in Wohlmirstedt, †14.06.1997)
-Oda Carmen Gisela Henriette Gräfin von Helldorff (*20.01.1927 in Wohlmirstedt)
-Hans-Benno Ferdinand Heinrich Graf von Helldorff (*03.03.1929 in Harzburg, †10.08.2016)
-Olaf Rüdiger Heinrich Graf von Helldorff (*15.05.1936 in Berlin)


Best wishes,
~ Mike

[Forwest]

A major error in considering the member of the German delegation is that one of the two "Dolmetscher" was not Wolf-Heinrich Graf von Helldorff. It was his father, Rittmeister and also "Dolmetscher Officier" Ferdinand von Helldorff.