Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was born in Munich on the 7th of October 1900 into a conservative middle-class Catholic family. His father Joseph Gebhard Himmler worked as a teacher and his mother Anna Maria Himmler came from the Heyder family. He had two brothers named Gebhard Ludwig and Ernst Hermann. Heinrich attended a grammar school in Landshut where his father served as deputy principal. He did well academically but struggled with athletics and suffered from lifelong stomach complaints. In his youth he trained daily with weights to become stronger. Other boys at the school later remembered him as studious and awkward in social situations. His diary entries from age 10 show a keen interest in current events, duelling, and serious discussions of religion and sex. In 1915 he began training with the Landshut Cadet Corps. His father used connections with the royal family to get him accepted as an officer candidate. He enlisted with the reserve battalion of the 11th Bavarian Regiment in December 1917. The war ended in November 1918 while he was still in training denying him the chance to see combat or become an officer. After discharge on the 18th of December he returned to Landshut. From 1919 to 1922 he studied agriculture at the Munich Polytechnic following a brief apprenticeship on a farm and subsequent illness. Although many regulations discriminating against non-Christians were eliminated during German unification in 1871 antisemitism continued to thrive. Himmler was antisemitic by university time though not exceptionally so. Students avoided Jewish classmates yet he remained Catholic and spent leisure time with members of the League of Apollo fencing fraternity whose president was Jewish. He maintained a polite demeanour despite growing antisemitism. During his second year at university he redoubled attempts to pursue a military career unsuccessfully but extended involvement in Munich's paramilitary scene. It was then that he first met Ernst Röhm an early Nazi Party member and co-founder of the Storm Battalion SA. Himmler admired Röhm because he was a decorated combat soldier. At Röhm's suggestion Himmler joined his antisemitic nationalist group the Imperial War Flag Society. In 1922 Himmler became more interested in the Jewish question with diary entries containing increasing antisemitic remarks and discussions about Jews with classmates. His reading lists dominated by antisemitic pamphlets German myths and occult tracts. After the murder of Foreign Minister Walther Rathenau on the 24th of June his political views veered towards the radical right. He took part in demonstrations against the Treaty of Versailles while hyperinflation raged. His parents could no longer afford to educate all three sons. Disappointed by failure to make a military career and unable to finance doctoral studies he took a low-paying office job after obtaining his agricultural diploma. He remained in this position until September 1923.
Himmler joined the Nazi Party on the 1st of August 1923 receiving party number 14303. As a member of Röhm's paramilitary unit he was involved in the Beer Hall Putsch an unsuccessful attempt by Hitler and the Nazi Party to seize power in Munich. This event set him on a life of politics. He was questioned by police about his role but not charged due to insufficient evidence. However he lost his job and had to move in with his parents in Munich. Frustrated by these failures he became ever more irritable aggressive and opinionated alienating friends and family. In 1923, 24 while searching for a world view he abandoned Catholicism focusing on occult and antisemitic ideas. Germanic mythology reinforced by occult ideas became a religion for him. Himmler found the Nazi Party appealing because its political positions agreed with his own views. Initially he was not swept up by Hitler's charisma but as he learned more about Hitler through reading he began to regard him as a useful face of the party and later admired and worshipped him. To consolidate his position in the Nazi Party he took advantage of disarray following Hitler's arrest after the Beer Hall Putsch. From mid-1924 he worked under Gregor Strasser as a party secretary and propaganda assistant travelling all over Bavaria agitating for the party giving speeches and distributing literature. Placed in charge of the party office in Lower Bavaria from late 1924 he integrated area membership with the Nazi Party when re-founded in February 1925. That same year he joined the Schutzstaffel SS as an SS-Leader with SS number 168. The SS initially part of the much larger SA was formed in 1923 for Hitler's personal protection and re-formed in 1925 as an elite unit of the SA. Himmler's first leadership position in the SS was district leader in Lower Bavaria from 1926. Strasser appointed Himmler deputy propaganda chief in January 1927. As typical in the Nazi Party he had considerable freedom of action increasing over time. He began collecting statistics on Jews Freemasons and enemies of the party developing an elaborate bureaucracy out of strong need for control. In September 1927 Himmler told Hitler of his vision to transform the SS into a loyal powerful racially pure elite unit. Convinced Himmler was the man for the job Hitler appointed him Deputy Reichsführer-SS with rank of SS-Oberführer. Around this time he joined the Artaman League a German youth group meeting Rudolf Höss later commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp and Walther Darré whose book The Peasantry as the Life Source of the Nordic Race caught Hitler's attention leading to later appointment as Reich Minister of Food and Agriculture. Darré believed firmly in superiority of the Nordic race influencing Himmler heavily. Upon resignation of SS commander Erhard Heiden in January 1929 Himmler assumed position of Reichsführer-SS with Hitler's approval still carrying duties at propaganda headquarters. One of his first responsibilities was organizing SS participants at Nuremberg Rally that September. Over next year Himmler grew SS from force of about 290 men to about 3,000. By 1930 he persuaded Hitler to run SS as separate organization although officially still subordinate to SA.
In early 1934 Hitler and other Nazi leaders became concerned Röhm planned coup d'état. Röhm had socialist populist views believing real revolution not yet begun. He felt SA now numbering some three million men far dwarfing army should become sole arms-bearing corps state absorbing army under leadership. Röhm lobbied Hitler to appoint him Minister of Defence position held by conservative General Werner von Blomberg. Göring created Prussian secret police force Geheime Staatspolizei or Gestapo in 1933 appointing Rudolf Diels head. Concerned Diels not ruthless enough use Gestapo effectively counteract power SA Göring handed control over to Himmler on the 20th of April 1934. Also on date Hitler appointed Himmler chief all German police outside Prussia radical departure from long-standing German practice law enforcement state local matter. Heydrich named chief Gestapo by Himmler on the 22nd of April 1934 continued as head SD. Hitler decided the 21st of June Röhm SA leadership eliminated sending Göring Berlin the 29th of June meet with Himmler Heydrich plan action. Hitler took charge Munich where Röhm arrested giving choice die suicide shot. When Röhm refused kill himself shot dead two SS officers. Between 85 and 200 members SA leadership other political adversaries including Gregor Strasser killed between the 30th of June and the 2nd of July 1934 actions known Night Long Knives. With SA neutralized SS became independent organization answerable only Hitler the 20th of July 1934. Himmler title Reichsführer-SS became highest formal SS rank equivalent field marshal army. SA converted sports training organization. On the 15th of September 1935 Hitler presented two laws known Nuremberg Laws Reichstag banning marriage non-Jewish Jewish Germans forbidding employment non-Jewish women under age 45 Jewish households depriving so-called non-Aryans benefits German citizenship. These laws among first race-based measures instituted Third Reich. Himmler Heydrich wanted extend power SS urging Hitler form national police force overseen SS guard Nazi Germany against many enemies real imagined. Interior Minister Frick also wanted national police force controlled him Kurt Daluege police chief. Hitler left Himmler Heydrich work out arrangements Frick. Himmler Heydrich greater bargaining power allied Frick's old enemy Göring. Heydrich drew set proposals Himmler sent meet Frick. Angry Frick then consulted Hitler told agree proposals. Frick acquiesced the 17th of June 1936 Hitler decreed unification all police forces Reich naming Himmler Chief German Police State Secretary Ministry Interior. In role Himmler still nominally subordinate Frick but in practice police effectively division SS hence independent Frick control. Move gave Himmler operational control Germany entire detective force. He gained authority over all Germany uniformed law enforcement agencies amalgamated new Ordnungspolizei Orpo order police branch SS under Daluege. Shortly thereafter Himmler created Kriminalpolizei Kripo criminal police umbrella organization all criminal investigation agencies Germany. Kripo merged Gestapo Sicherheitspolizei SiPo security police under Heydrich command. September 1939 following outbreak World War II Himmler formed SS-Reichssicherheitshauptamt RSHA Reich Security Main Office bring SiPo included Gestapo Kripo SD together one umbrella again placing Heydrich command. Under Himmler leadership SS developed own military branch SS-Verfügungstruppe SS-VT later evolved Waffen-SS. Nominally under authority Himmler Waffen-SS developed fully militarized structure command operations growing three regiments over 38 divisions during World War II serving alongside Heer army never formally part it.
When Hitler and his army chiefs asked pretext invasion Poland 1939 Himmler Heydrich Heinrich Müller masterminded carried out false flag project code-named Operation Himmler. German soldiers dressed Polish uniforms undertook border skirmishes deceptively suggesting Polish aggression against Germany. Incidents used Nazi propaganda justify invasion Poland opening event World War II. Beginning war against Poland Hitler authorized killing Polish civilians including Jews ethnic Poles. Einsatzgruppen SS task forces originally formed Heydrich secure government papers offices areas taken Germany before World War II. Authorized Hitler direction Himmler Heydrich Einsatzgruppen units now repurposed death squads followed Heer army into Poland end 1939 murdered some 65,000 intellectuals other civilians. Militias Heer units also took part killings. Under Himmler orders via RSHA squads tasked rounding up Jews others placement ghettos concentration camps. Germany subsequently invaded Denmark Norway Netherlands France began bombing Great Britain preparation Operation Sea Lion planned invasion United Kingdom. On the 21st of June 1941 day before invasion Soviet Union Himmler commissioned preparation Generalplan Ost General Plan East plan approved Hitler May 1942. Called Baltic States Poland Western Ukraine Byelorussia conquered resettled ten million German citizens current residents some 31 million people expelled further east starved used forced labour. Plan would extend borders Germany east by 1,000 kilometers. Himmler expected take twenty to thirty years complete plan cost billions of Reichsmarks. Himmler stated openly question existence thus racial struggle pitiless severity course 20 to 30 million Slavs Jews perish military actions crises food supply. In late 1941 Hitler named Heydrich Deputy Reich Protector newly established Protectorate Bohemia Moravia. Heydrich began racially classify Czechs deporting many concentration camps. Members swelling resistance shot earning Heydrich nickname Butcher Prague. Appointment strengthened collaboration Himmler Heydrich Himmler proud SS control state. Despite direct access Hitler Heydrich loyalty Himmler remained firm. With Hitler approval Himmler re-established Einsatzgruppen lead-up planned invasion Soviet Union. March 1941 Hitler addressed army leaders detailing intention smash Soviet Empire destroy Bolshevik intelligentsia leadership. His special directive Guidelines Special Spheres re Directive No. 21 Operation Barbarossa read operations area army Reichsführer-SS given special tasks orders Führer prepare political administration. Tasks arise forthcoming final struggle two opposing political systems. Within framework tasks Reichsführer-SS acts independently own responsibility. Hitler intended prevent internal friction like occurring earlier Poland 1939 when several German Army generals including Johannes Blaskowitz attempted bring Einsatzgruppen leaders trial murders committed. Following army into Soviet Union Einsatzgruppen rounded killed Jews others deemed undesirable Nazi state. Hitler sent frequent reports. In addition 2.8 million Soviet prisoners war died starvation mistreatment executions just eight months 1941, 42. As many 500,000 Soviet prisoners war died executed Nazi concentration camps course war most shot gassed. By early 1941 following Himmler orders ten concentration camps constructed inmates subjected forced labour. Jews Germany occupied territories deported camps confined ghettos. Germans pushed Moscow December 1941 signalling expected quick defeat Soviet Union failed materialize. Result instead deportation many Jews Europe destined death.
On the 6th of June 1944 Western Allied armies landed northern France during Operation Overlord. Response Army Group Upper Rhine Heeresgruppe Oberrhein group formed engage advancing US 7th Army under command General Alexander Patch French 1st Army led General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny Alsace region west bank Rhine. Late 1944 Hitler appointed Himmler commander-in-chief Army Group Upper Rhine. On the 26th of September 1944 Hitler ordered Himmler create special army units Volkssturm People's Storm People's Army. All males aged sixteen to sixty eligible conscription militia over protests Armaments Minister Albert Speer noting irreplaceable skilled workers removed armaments production. Hitler confidently believed six million men raised new units initiate people's war invader. Hopes wildly optimistic. October 1944 children young fourteen enlisted. Severe shortages weapons equipment lack training members Volkssturm poorly prepared combat about 175,000 died final months war. On the 1st of January 1945 Hitler generals launched Operation North Wind goal break lines US 7th Army French 1st Army support southern thrust Battle Bulge Ardennes offensive final major German offensive war. After limited initial gains Germans Americans halted offensive. By the 25th of January Operation North Wind officially ended. On the 25th of January 1945 despite Himmler lack military experience Hitler appointed him commander hastily formed Army Group Vistula Heeresgruppe Weichsel halt Soviet Red Army Vistula, Oder offensive Pomerania decision appalled German General Staff. Himmler established command centre Schneidemühl using special train Sonderzug Steiermark headquarters. Train had one telephone line inadequate maps no signal detachment radios establish communication relay military orders. Himmler seldom left train worked about four hours per day insisted daily massage before commencing work lengthy nap after lunch. General Heinz Guderian talked Himmler the 9th of February demanded Operation Solstice attack Pomerania northern flank Marshal Georgy Zhukov 1st Belorussian Front progress by 16th. Himmler argued not ready commit specific date. Given Himmler qualifications army group commander Guderian convinced himself Himmler tried conceal incompetence. the 13th of February Guderian met Hitler demanded General Walther Wenck given special mandate command offensive Army Group Vistula. Hitler sent Wenck special mandate without specifying Wenck authority. Offensive launched the 16th of February 1945 soon stuck rain mud facing mine fields strong antitank defences. Night Wenck severely injured car accident doubt salvage operation Guderian later claimed. Himmler ordered offensive stop 18th directive regrouping. Hitler officially ended Operation Solstice the 21st of February ordered Himmler transfer corps headquarters three divisions Army Group Center. Himmler unable devise viable plans completion military objectives. Under pressure Hitler worsening military situation Himmler became anxious unable give coherent reports. When counter-attack failed stop Soviet advance Hitler held Himmler personally liable accused following orders. Himmler military command ended the 20th of March when Hitler replaced General Gotthard Heinrici Commander-in-Chief Army Group Vistula. By time Himmler under care doctor since the 18th of February fled Hohenlychen Sanatorium. Hitler sent Guderian forced medical leave absence reassigned post chief staff Hans Krebs the 29th of March. Himmler failure Hitler response marked serious deterioration relationship two men. By time inner circle people Hitler trusted rapidly shrinking.
March 1945 German war effort verge collapse Himmler relationship Hitler deteriorated. Himmler considered independently negotiating peace settlement. His masseur Felix Kersten moved Sweden acted intermediary negotiations Count Folke Bernadotte head Swedish Red Cross. Letters exchanged two men direct meetings arranged Walter Schellenberg RSHA. Also March 1945 Himmler issued directive Jews marched South-east wall Südostwall fortifications construction project Austro-Hungarian border Mauthausen. Desired hostages potential peace negotiations. Thousands died marches. Himmler Hitler met last time the 20th of April 1945 Hitler's birthday Berlin Himmler swore unswerving loyalty Hitler. Military briefing day Hitler stated would not leave Berlin despite Soviet advances. Along Göring Himmler quickly left city after briefing. the 21st of April Himmler met Norbert Masur Swedish representative World Jewish Congress discuss release Jewish concentration camp inmates. Result negotiations about 20,000 people released White Buses operation. Himmler falsely claimed meeting crematoria camps built deal bodies prisoners died typhus epidemic. Claimed very high survival rates camps Auschwitz Bergen-Belsen even sites liberated obvious figures false. the 23rd of April Himmler met directly Bernadotte Swedish consulate Lübeck. Representing himself provisional leader Germany claimed Hitler dead within next few days. Hoping British Americans fight Soviets alongside remaining Wehrmacht Himmler asked Bernadotte inform General Dwight Eisenhower Germany wished surrender Western Allies not Soviet Union. Bernadotte asked Himmler put proposal writing Himmler obliged. Meanwhile Göring sent telegram hours earlier asking Hitler permission assume leadership Reich capacity Hitler designated deputy act Hitler prodding Martin Bormann interpreted demand step face coup. the 27th of April Himmler SS representative Hitler HQ Berlin Hermann Fegelein caught civilian clothes preparing desert arrested brought back Führerbunker. Evening the 28th of April BBC broadcast Reuters news report Himmler attempted negotiations western Allies. Hitler long considered Himmler second only Joseph Goebbels loyalty called Himmler loyal Heinrich. Hitler flew rage betrayal told those still bunker complex Himmler secret negotiations worst treachery ever known. Hitler ordered Himmler arrest Fegelein court-martialled shot. By time Soviets advanced Potsdamer Platz 1 kilometer Reich Chancellery preparing storm Chancellery. Report combined Himmler treachery prompted Hitler write last will testament completed the 29th of April one day suicide Hitler declared both Himmler Göring traitors. Stripped Himmler all party state offices expelled Nazi Party. Hitler named Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz successor. Himmler met Dönitz Flensburg offered himself second-in-command. Maintained entitled position Dönitz interim government Reichsführer-SS believing SS good position restore maintain order after war. Dönitz repeatedly rejected Himmler overtures initiated peace negotiations Allies wrote letter the 6th of May two days German Instrument Surrender dismissing Himmler all posts.
Rejected former comrades hunted Allies Himmler attempted go hiding. Had not made extensive preparations carried forged paybook name Sergeant Heinrich Hizinger. the 11th of May 1945 small band companions headed south Friedrichskoog without final destination mind. Continued Neuhaus group split up. the 21st of May Himmler two aides stopped detained checkpoint Bremervörde set former Soviet POWs. Following two days moved around several camps brought British 31st Civilian Interrogation Camp near Lüneburg the 23rd of May. Officials noticed Himmler identity papers bore stamp British military intelligence seen used fleeing members SS. Duty officer Captain Thomas Selvester began routine interrogation. Himmler admitted who Selvester had prisoner searched. Himmler taken headquarters Second British Army Lüneburg doctor conducted medical exam him. Doctor attempted examine inside Himmler mouth prisoner reluctant open jerked head away. Himmler then bit hidden potassium cyanide pill collapsed floor dead within 15 minutes despite efforts expel poison system. Shortly afterward Himmler body buried unmarked grave near Lüneburg. Grave location remains unknown.
Himmler interested mysticism occult early age tied interest racist philosophy looking proof Aryan Nordic racial superiority ancient times. Promoted cult ancestor worship particularly among members SS way keep race pure provide immortality nation. Viewing SS order lines Teutonic Knights had them take over Church Teutonic Order Vienna 1939. Began process replacing Christianity new moral code rejecting humanitarianism challenging Christian concept marriage. Ahnenerbe research society founded Himmler 1935 searched globe proof superiority ancient origins Germanic race. All regalia uniforms Nazi Germany particularly SS used symbolism designs. Stylized lightning bolt logo SS chosen 1932. Logo pair runes set 18 Armanen runes created Guido von List 1906. Ancient Sowilō rune originally symbolised sun renamed Sieg victory List iconography. Himmler modified variety existing customs emphasize elitism central role SS. SS naming ceremony replace baptism marriage ceremonies altered separate SS funeral ceremony held addition Christian ceremonies SS-centric celebrations summer winter solstices instituted. Totenkopf death head symbol used German military units hundreds years chosen SS Julius Schreck. Himmler placed particular importance death's-head rings never sold returned him upon death owner. Interpreted death's-head symbol mean solidarity cause commitment unto death.
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Common questions
When was Heinrich Himmler born and where did he grow up?
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was born in Munich on the 7th of October 1900 into a conservative middle-class Catholic family. He attended a grammar school in Landshut where his father served as deputy principal.
How did Heinrich Himmler join the Nazi Party and what role did he take initially?
Heinrich Himmler joined the Nazi Party on the 1st of August 1923 receiving party number 14303. From mid-1924 he worked under Gregor Strasser as a party secretary and propaganda assistant travelling all over Bavaria agitating for the party.
What specific date did Heinrich Himmler become Reichsführer-SS and how large was the SS at that time?
Upon resignation of SS commander Erhard Heiden in January 1929 Himmler assumed position of Reichsführer-SS with Hitler's approval. Over next year Himmler grew SS from force of about 290 men to about 3,000 before persuading Hitler to run SS as separate organization by 1930.
When did Heinrich Himmler gain control over all German police forces and which organizations were merged under him?
Hitler decreed unification of all police forces naming Himmler Chief German Police State Secretary Ministry Interior on the 17th of June 1936. This move gave Himmler operational control of Germany entire detective force including the newly created Kriminalpolizei Kripo and Gestapo merged into Sicherheitspolizei SiPo under Heydrich command.
How did Heinrich Himmler die and what date did his death occur?
Heinrich Himmler died on the 23rd of May 1945 after biting a hidden potassium cyanide pill during interrogation by British officials near Lüneburg. He collapsed and died within 15 minutes despite efforts to expel the poison system.