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Edmund VeesenmayerGerman politician.
Date of Birth: 12.11.1904
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Nazi Party and SS Membership
- Involvement in the Anschluss
- Diplomatic Career
- Mission to Slovakia and Ireland
- Activities in Croatia and Serbia
- Role in Hungary
- Deportation of Hungarian Jews
- Post-War Trials and Imprisonment
- Post-War Life
Early Life and Education
Edmund Veesenmayer was born in Oberstaufen, Germany, on September 12, 1904, to a high school teacher. From 1923 to 1926, he studied social and political sciences in Munich, followed by a doctoral program from 1926 to 1928.
Nazi Party and SS Membership
In 1932, Veesenmayer joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and became involved in economic affairs. He became a reference for Wilhelm Keppler in April 1934 and established connections with influential business leaders. Veesenmayer also joined the SS in June 1934 and received the ranks of Untersturmführer (September 1936) and Obersturmführer (January 1937).
Involvement in the Anschluss
As Keppler's deputy, Veesenmayer played a significant role in the removal of Austrian Gauleiter Josef Leopold. He became a Hauptsturmführer SS in November 1938 and assisted in the preparation of the Anschluss.
Diplomatic Career
In February 1938, Veesenmayer joined the Foreign Office as a minister. He worked as Keppler's reference again from March to June and became a board member of several Viennese companies.
Mission to Slovakia and Ireland
From November 1938 to March 1939, Veesenmayer represented the Foreign Office in Bratislava, where he mediated and gathered intelligence. In March 1940, he assisted in the preparation of an uprising in Ireland aimed at separation from the United Kingdom.
Activities in Croatia and Serbia
In April 1941, Veesenmayer was sent to Zagreb to mobilize Croatian nationalists. He advocated for Ante Pavelic as the leader of a puppet government. Between 1941 and 1942, he made several visits to Serbia and Croatia, providing support in the fight against partisans and calling for the deportation of Serbian Jews.
Role in Hungary
On March 15, 1944, Veesenmayer became a SS Brigadeführer and extraordinary and plenipotentiary envoy to Hungary with dictatorial powers. He controlled civilian administration, while Admiral Horthy and his government retained only ceremonial functions.
Deportation of Hungarian Jews
Veesenmayer played a pivotal role in the deportation of Hungarian Jews. In June 1944, he reported the deportation of over 289,000 Jews in 92 train cars and stated that the deportations would double by the end of July. He believed the "Jewish Question" would be solved after 900,000 Jews were deported.
Post-War Trials and Imprisonment
Veesenmayer left Hungary in March 1945 and surrendered to the Americans in Salzburg in May. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at the Wilhelmstrasse Trial but had his sentence reduced to 10 years in 1951. He received amnesty later that year.
Post-War Life
British intelligence revealed Veesenmayer's connections with a Nazi group in 1953. He later headed the German branch of the French company Pennel & Flipo and resided in Darmstadt until his death.
