 |
Hans KehrlStatesman, businessman, leader of the military economy
Date of Birth: 08.09.1900
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Business Career
- Entry into Nazi Politics
- Government and Ministerial Roles
- Ostfaser and Wartime Production
- Post-War Trial and Later Life
Early Life and Education
Hans Kehrl was born in Cottbus, Germany, to Rudolph Kehrl, the owner of a woolen mill. He received his education at the Brandenburg and Cottbus Gymnasia before pursuing studies at the State Technical College for Textile Industry in Reutlingen in 1921.
Business Career
After graduating, Kehrl spent time in the United States (1922-1924), where he completed a management course in Boston. Upon his return, he joined his father's business, becoming a co-owner in 1926. During this period, he became a member of Gustav Stresemann's national-liberal German People's Party (DVP).
Entry into Nazi Politics
In 1931, Kehrl established connections with the Nazi party. He joined the NSDAP on May 1, 1933 (membership number 1,878,921) and the SS on September 13, 1936 (membership number 276,899), receiving the rank of Untersturmführer SS. By 1944, he had risen to the rank of Brigadeführer SS.
Government and Ministerial Roles
After the Nazis came to power, Kehrl became an economic advisor for the NSDAP district "Kurmark." He also served as President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Lower Lusatia (Cottbus) from 1933 to 1935. In 1934, he became an associate of Wilhelm Keppler, the Führer's Commissioner for Economic Affairs.
Kehrl held various positions in the German government, including Chief Referendary of the Raw Materials Office in the Four-Year Plan Office (1936-1938), General Referendary for Special Questions in the Ministry of Economics (1938-1942), and Head of Planning in the Ministry of Armaments (1943).
Ostfaser and Wartime Production
In 1941, Kehrl became chairman of the board of "Ostfaser GmbH," a textile industry monopoly that controlled over 300 factories and employed approximately 30,000 people in occupied territories of the Soviet Union. Its production primarily supported the German Wehrmacht.
Post-War Trial and Later Life
After the war, Kehrl was arrested by American troops and put on trial in the "Wilhelmstrasse Trial." In 1949, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was amnestied and released in 1951. Subsequently, he worked as an economic adviser in Leverkusen, Germany, and published his memoirs in 1973.
