Erwin Kraus Party activist of the NSDAP, Corpsführer of the NSKK Date of Birth: 26.05.1894 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Service
3. Career in Industry and Transport
4. NSDAP Membership and NSKK Leadership
5. Reichstag Member and NSKK Corpsführer
6. Later Career and End of the War

Early Life and Education

Benno Martin Krauss was born in Tuttlingen, Germany. He attended Gymnasium before pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical Institute in Karlsruhe.

Military Service

During World War I, Krauss served in the 235th Reserve Regiment and the Air Force from 1914 to 1918. After the war, he joined the Volunteer Corps of the Eastern Border Guard on the Baltic from 1919 to 1920, where he participated in street battles against communists.

Career in Industry and Transport

Krauss subsequently held leadership roles in the industry and transportation sectors. He served as a freelance expert for automotive companies in Munich and Stuttgart.

NSDAP Membership and NSKK Leadership

In 1929, Krauss joined the Nazi Party (membership number 247,608). He played a key role in the formation of the National Socialist Automobile Corps (NSAK) in 1930, leading its "Southwest" organization headquartered in Stuttgart. After the NSAK was reorganized into the NSKK, Krauss became a high-ranking official. In May 1933, he was appointed Head of the Technical Department and Chief Inspector "South" of the NSKK. From 1935, he served as Inspector of Technical Training and Equipment.

Reichstag Member and NSKK Corpsführer

Krauss was elected to the Reichstag for Württemberg in 1936. He briefly led the NSKK's day-to-day operations. Upon Adolf Hühnlein's death, Krauss became Corpsführer of the NSKK on June 21, 1942, also assuming the roles of Chief of Imperial Driving Schools and Commissioner for Motor Transport. Despite the NSKK's autonomous status within the NSDAP, Krauss did not receive the rank of Reichsleiter like his predecessor.

Later Career and End of the War

In September 1944, Hitler appointed Krauss as Inspector for Motor Vehicle Training for the Volkssturm. He remained at the helm of the NSKK until its dissolution in May 1945.