Heldenpolitik: Ritterkreuz, Ideology and the Complexities of Hero Culture Under National Socialism
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Heldenpolitik: Ritterkreuz, Ideology and the Complexities of Hero Culture under National Socialism By Colin Gilmour A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2018 Department of History and Classical Studies McGill University Montreal, Quebec ©Colin Gilmour 2018 i Abstract This dissertation explores the political history of Germany’s highest award for military excellence during the Second World War: the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, or “Ritterkreuz.” Expanding upon a limited foundation of existing scholarly research, its primary focus is to examine the role played by this famous medal as a vessel of “symbolic capital” for the National Socialist regime. Designed not only as a tool to help forge a new archetype for military heroism, it was also to represent the “revolution” that the Party claimed to have produced in German society and politics. Using this function as a framework, the component chapters of this study document different ways in which it informed or affected official usages of the Ritterkreuz and the activities of its recipients – called “Ritterkreuzträger” – during the war years. Through this investigation, the dissertation argues that while achieving an impact on wartime culture that continues to be felt in Germany today, both medal and men proved as much a source of frustration and embarrassment to the regime as they did ideological success. As such, it challenges several existing assumptions regarding the role of orders and decorations created by National Socialism while highlighting an underrecognized layer of complexity in its “Heldenpolitik” (Hero Politics). ii Résumé Cette thèse explore l'histoire politique de la plus haute distinction militaire accordée en Allemagne durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale : la croix de chevalier de la croix de fer, la « Ritterkreuz ». En s’appuyant sur une littérature scientifique limitée, l’objectif principal de cette thèse est d’examiner le rôle joué par cette célèbre médaille en tant que véhicule porteur de « capital symbolique » pour le régime national-socialiste. Conçues non seulement pour permettre au régime de façonner un nouvel archétype d’héroïsme militaire, ces médailles ont aussi été exploitées comme emblèmes de la « révolution » sociopolitique qu’il prétendait avoir accomplie en Allemagne. En utilisant cette fonction comme cadre analytique, les chapitres de cette étude documentent les différentes manières qu’elle contribue à influencer l’utilisation de la Ritterkreuz et les activités de ses récipiendaires – nommés « Ritterkreuzträger » – durant les années de guerre. Dans le cadre de cette recherche, nous argumentons que bien que les effets culturels de cette campagne militaire soient toujours ressentis en Allemagne aujourd’hui, les médailles et les récipiendaires se sont avérés être autant une source de frustration et d'embarras que de succès idéologique. En tant que telle, notre étude remet en question plusieurs des hypothèses concernant le rôle des ordres et des décorations créés par le régime national-socialiste tout en levant le voile sur la complexité sous-estimée de l’« Heldenpolitik » (la politique centrée sur les héros). iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………………vi Guide to Abbreviations ………………………………………………………………………....viii Introduction 1 Chapter I The Roots of Symbolic Capital: Revisiting the Origins 23 of the Ritterkreuz I.1 Symbolic Roots I.2 Forging a Mythology I.3 Barriers and Compromises I.4 Symbolic Amalgamation Chapter II Hitler’s Halsorden: The Difficulties of Ritterkreuz-Distribution 74 II.1 Establishing Meaning II.2 The “Ordensfrage” II.3 Resentment and Division II.4 Fighting the Tide II.5 Symbolic Disintegration Chapter III Privileges of Rank: Ritterkreuzträger and the 148 Question of Special Benefits III.1 “Special Care” for Heroes III.2 Problematic Promotions III.3 Creating a Settler Elite Chapter IV Celebrity Soldiers: Ritterkreuzträger as the “Stars” 194 of the Wehrmacht IV.1 “Kein Heldenkult” IV.2 Ritterkreuz-Mania IV.3 Déjà vu IV.4 Heroes of Necessity IV.5 Instruments of Delusion Chapter V When Heroes Misbehave: Ritterkreuzträger and the 264 Problem of Political Reliability V.1 The “Risky” Side of Nazi Heldenpolitik iv V.2 Swept Under the Rug V.3 Crossing the Line V.4 Insult to Injury Epilogue The Endurance of a Hero Cult: The Ritterkreuz after 304 National Socialism Conclusions 320 Bibliography 331 v Acknowledgements Those close to me are aware of the personal and professional challenges that accompanied the researching and writing of this work. They are in many ways woven into its pages. As such, I must offer my sincerest thanks to those who have helped in finally bringing about its completion. First, of course, I thank Dr. Peter Hoffmann and Dr. Brian Lewis for the countless hours spent reading drafts, providing guidance and meeting with me when I needed it. I am also grateful to the other faculty members in the Department of History and Classics who encouraged me along the way, such as Judith Szapor, Lorenz Lüthi and Mike Fronda. Further afield, I am indebted to Ulrike Zimmermann and Sonderforschungs-bereich 948 “Helden, Heroismen, Heroisierung,” at Karl- Ludwigs Universität as well as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, for making possible much of the research which undergirds this work. On the same note, I would also be loath not to extend thanks (and apologies) to the archivists and librarians in Montreal, Berlin, Koblenz and Freiburg who fielded my many, and often quite large, requests for books, microfilm and other materials over the past several years. I want to specially thank the members of my writing group and office-mates of Ferrier 333 including Max Hamon, Sonya Roy, Veronika Helfert, Catherine Ulmer, Raminder Saini, Andrew Dial and especially Colin Grittner and Carolynn McNally. I am grateful for your advice, criticism and counsel and can only apologize once more for the volume of words you have all had to read about Nazi Germany, medals and war hero culture. DTF indeed! Likewise, a special thanks to my uncle, Ian Gilmour, for his willingness to spend time helping me sculpt and clarify my thoughts and writing. I am also grateful to my parents, Craig and Cindy, my parents-in-law Ray and Judy, my brothers and sisters Scott and Sarry, Alanna and Benoit and Alyssa, as well as my pastors vi Dwight Bernier and Graham Singh for offering support and the ability to recharge amidst difficult seasons. Last but certainly not least, I must thank my wonderful wife, Ashley, for her patience, perseverance and encouragement through this project, and for bearing its challenges and frustrations with me. I could never have done this without you. 1 Peter 5:10. Colin Gilmour, Montreal Montreal, QC. 2018. vii Guide to Abbreviations Medals, Orders and Decorations Order of the Iron Cross (ascending by precedence) - EK-W – Eisernes Kreuz für Nichtkombattanten (Iron Cross for Non-Combatants) - EK2 – Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross Second Class) - EK1 – Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross First Class) - RK – Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross) - RK-E – Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz ... etc. (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves) - RK-ES – Eichenlaub mit Schwerter ... etc. (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords) - RK-ESB – Eichenlaub mit Schwerter und Brillanten … etc. (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds) - RK-ESBG – Eichenlaub mit Schwerter und Brillanten … etc. in Gold (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds in Gold) - GK – Grosskreuz (Grand Cross of the Iron Cross) Order of the War Merit Cross - KVM – Kriegsverdienstmedaille (War Merit Medal) - KVK2 (-S) – Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse (War Merit Cross Second Class (with swords)) - KVK1 (-S) – Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (War Merit Cross First Class (with swords)) - RKVK (-S) – Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross (with swords)) Other Military or Veterans’ Awards - EW – Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 (Honour Cross of the World War 1914- 1918) - SK – Spanienkreuz (Spanish Cross) - EB – Ehrenblatt (Honour Roll) - EBS – Ehrenblattspange (Honour Roll Clasp) - VA – Verwundetenabzeichen (Wound Badge) - NKS – Nahkampfspange (Close Combat Clasp) - DK – Deutsches Kreuz (German Cross) Political Awards: - GPA – Goldene Parteiabzeichen (Golden Party Badge) - BO – Blutorden (Blood Order) - DO – Deutscher Orden (German Order) viii Relevant Institutions, Offices or Departments Military Offices/Designations - Adj.W.b.F. – Adjutant der Wehrmacht beim Führer (Wehrmacht Adjutant of the Führer) - HPA; LPA; MPA – Heerespersonalamt (Army Personnel Department), Luftwaffepersonalamt (Air Force Personnel Department), Marinepersonalamt (Navy Personnel Department) - OKW – Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht) - OKH/OKL/OKM – Oberkommando des Heeres (Army), Luftwaffe (Air Force) und Marine (Navy) - PK – Propagandakompanie (Propaganda Company) - WFVA- Wehrmacht Fűrsorge- und Versorgungsamt (Wehrmacht Welfare and Maintenance Department) - WPr – Wehrmacht Propagandaabteilung (Wehrmacht Propaganda Department) Offices/Departments of State and Party - DNB – Deutsches Nachrichtenbüro (German Press Office) - NSKOV – Nationalsozialistische Kriegsopferversorgung (National Socialist War Victims Association) - PKz – Parteikanzlei (Party Chancellery) - PräsKz – Präsidialkanzlei (Presidential