Ernst Wilhelm Bohle Party and statesman of the Third Reich, Gauleiter, head of the Foreign Organization of the NSDAP Date of Birth: 28.07.1903 Country: Germany

Biography of Ernst Wilhelm Bohle

Ernst Wilhelm Bohle was a prominent party and state official of the Third Reich. He was born on July 28, 1903, in Bradford, England, to a university professor. Bohle received his education at an English gymnasium and later attended the University of Cologne and the University of Berlin.

After completing his studies, Bohle joined various export-import firms in the Rhineland and Hamburg from 1924 to 1930. He then worked for an automotive company in Hamburg until June 1933. During this time, Bohle became one of Gregor Strasser's closest associates in the Foreign Department of the Nazi Party, serving as a specialist in South and Southwest Africa and later in North America.

On March 1, 1932, Bohle became a member of the Nazi Party (party membership number 999,185). In 1932, he was appointed as the inspector of the Foreign Organization (AO) of the Nazi Party. On May 8, 1933, he was appointed as the leader of the Foreign Organization of the Nazi Party, holding the rank of Gauleiter. The Foreign Organization focused on promoting the ideals of National Socialism among Germans living abroad, and Bohle was the only Gauleiter of the Nazi Party who held this position without territorial jurisdiction.

In August 1933, Bohle founded the "Society of German Women Abroad." He also joined the SS on September 13, 1933, and attained the rank of Brigadeführer. On October 3, 1933, he became the authorized representative for foreign organizations of the Nazi Party's Deputy Führer's Staff.

From January 30, 1937, to November 14, 1941, Bohle served as the leader of the Foreign Organization within the German Foreign Ministry, holding the position of State Secretary. In this role, he oversaw more than 3,000 members of the Nazi Party abroad and participated in the organization of "fifth columns" in various countries. Bohle also served in the Personal Staff of the Reichsführer-SS, alongside other high-ranking party officials and government officials who held top SS ranks. On June 21, 1943, Bohle was awarded the rank of Obergruppenführer in the SS.

In May 1945, Bohle was arrested by the Allies. He stood trial before the 11th American Military Tribunal in the "Wilhelmstrasse Case" and on April 11, 1949, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment. He was granted amnesty on December 21, 1949. In the following years, Bohle worked for a trading company in Hamburg.

Throughout his career, Bohle received several awards and decorations, including the Cross of War Merit 2nd Class without Swords, Cross of War Merit 1st Class without Swords, Golden Party Badge of the Nazi Party, Medal for 10 Years of Service in the Nazi Party, Ring of the "Dead Head," and the Honorary Saber of the Reichsführer-SS.