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Ernst AchenbachGerman lawyer and politician
Date of Birth: 09.04.1909
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Ernst Achenbach
Ernst Achenbach was a German lawyer and politician, who had a complex political career. He was born in the German town of Siegen and was raised in the Protestant faith. Achenbach studied law in various cities including Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, and Bonn. In 1936, he graduated from the university and obtained a position as managing director at the Adolf Hitler Fund. It was during this time that Achenbach became a formal member of the Nazi Party in 1937.
Diplomatic Career
Achenbach's career took a diplomatic turn when he worked at the German embassy in Paris. Following the occupation of France by the Nazi army, he was appointed as the head of the political department at the embassy, working directly under German ambassador Otto Abetz. In addition to his diplomatic duties, Achenbach was responsible for the deportation of Jews from the country.
Post-War Life
After leaving the embassy in 1944, Achenbach became an ordinary soldier. He was arrested by Allied forces and provided valuable information that led American analysts to suspect a serious conspiracy against Hitler within the German embassy in France. In 1946, Achenbach began working as a lawyer in Essen. Despite his membership in the Nazi Party, he managed to avoid the typical trial for German war criminals. However, in 1970, public pressure resulted in Achenbach being denied the position of Commissioner of the European Economic Community.
Political Career
Achenbach left the Nazi Party after the war and joined the Free Democratic Party (FDP). He worked in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and was a close associate of Friedrich Middelhauve. Interestingly, Achenbach's responsibilities included overseeing voluntary donations, similar to his role in the Nazi Party. Many of his colleagues from the Adolf Hitler Fund and former Nazis, such as Hugo Stinnes Jr., Heinz Wilke, and Wolfgang Diewerge, also worked under his leadership.
From 1953 to 1959, Achenbach served as the chairman of the FDP in the Ruhr District. He was actively involved in party activities in North Rhine-Westphalia and even became a member of the Bundestag. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Achenbach focused on diplomatic activities and defense issues. He chaired the Committee on Relations with African Countries and Madagascar from 1969 to 1974. Achenbach remained an active member of the Bundestag's international division until 1976 and played a key role in important political operations, including the signing of the additional Franco-German agreement on transitional measures in 1971.
Legacy and Death
Ernst Achenbach passed away on December 2, 1991. Despite his involvement in the Holocaust, his political career continued for many years. However, Achenbach's association with the Nazi Party eventually caught up with him, leading to public scrutiny and hindering his political advancement.
