Emil Maurice

Emil Maurice ( Westermoor , 19 of January of 1897 - Munich , 6 of February of 1972 ) was one of the first members of the Socialist German National Party (NSDAP), the Schutzstaffel (SS) and one of the personal friends of Adolf Hitler During the early days of the Nazi Party. Together with Erich Kempka he was one of Hitler’s personal drivers.

Biography

Early years and association with Hitler

A watchmaker by profession, Maurice soon came into contact with Adolf Hitler ; The personal friendship between them dates back to at least 1919, when both were members of the German Workers’ Party (DAP). ¹ With the foundation of the Sturmabteilung in 1920, Maurice became in fact the Oberster SA-Führer (Supreme Leader of the SA).

In 1923 Maurice also became a member of the Stabswache (Personal Guard), a small separate group of bodyguards devoted exclusively to the protection of Hitler, unlike the mass armed groups like the SA. ² The Stabwache was given the task of protecting Hitler during the meetings and congresses of the Nazi Party. At the end of that year, the bodyguard unit was renamed Stoßtrupp (Shock Troop) “Adolf Hitler”. ³ Maurice, Julius Schreck , Joseph Berchtold , and Erhard Heiden were all members of the Stoßtrupp . ⁴ On November 9, 1923 the Stoßtrupp , together with the SA and other paramilitary units, took part in the failed Putsch of the Brewery in Munich . Following the events of the Putsch, Rudolf Hess , Maurice and other Nazi leaders were imprisoned in Landsberg Prison . ⁵ While in prison with Hitler, Maurice took an active part in the writing of Mein Kampf and is in fact mentioned in the book. ¹ During these months , both the Nazi Party and all its related organizations, including Stoßtrupp , were banned.

After Hitler was released from prison, the Nazi Party was again legalized and unofficially re-founded. In 1925, Hitler ordered the formation of a new unit of bodyguards, the Schutzkommando (unit of protection). ⁶ This unit was formed by Julius Schreck and included former members Stoßtrupp , Maurice and Heiden. ^{4 7} Shortly after its creation, the structure of Schutzkommando was increased throughout the national organization of the NSDAP and would be renamed successively as Sturmstaffel (Squad Assault), and finally, on November 9, 1925, as the Schutzstaffel (SS). ⁸ Hitler became the number one member of the SS and Emil Maurice became number 2. ¹ By then he had become the SS- Führer of the new organization, although the SS leadership would actually be taken over by Schreck, The first Reichsführer-SS . ⁹ Maurice then became Hitler’s driver. From this new post came in contact with the niece of Hitler, Geli Raubal , with which maintained a loving relation. This fact would lead to Hitler to dispense with his services as a driver. ¹⁰

When in 1932 the SS reorganized and expanded, Maurice became a high-ranking SS officer, and eventually promoted to SS- Oberführer rank . While Maurice never became a top SS commander, his status as SS member number 2 gave him credit as one of the founders of the organization. Heinrich Himmler , who would eventually become the supreme commander of the SS, was in fact the 168th member of the Schutzstaffel . ^eleven

Conflict with Himmler and his Jewish origins

After Himmler had become the SS chief, Maurice came into conflict with the Reichsführer-SS by Himmler’s rules of racial purity for SS officers. The problems began in 1935, when he had to present the details of his family history before he was allowed to marry. All SS officers had to prove their racial purity, as did their family members, and it turned out that Maurice had Jewish ancestry: Charles Maurice Schwartzenberger (1805-1896), the founder of the Thalia Theater in Hamburg , was his great grandfather. Himmler, when he became aware of the matter, declared: “without a doubt … Maurice is, according to his ancestral table, of non-Aryan descent.” ¹⁰ Himmer recommended that Maurice be expelled from the SS, along with other members of his family, but to his displeasure Hitler came in protection of his former friend, forcing Himmler to readmit him and to make an exception as “Honorary Arios.” ¹⁰

Later life

In 1936 became deputy to the Reichstag by the circumscription of Leipzig and from 1937 exerted like president of the Chamber of Commerce of Munich. During World War II , between 1940 and 1942 he served as officer of the Luftwaffe . ¹⁰ After the war, in 1948, he was sentenced to four years in a forced labor camp.

He died on February 6, 1972. ¹⁰

References