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Paul KornerStatesman, State Secretary of the Prussian Government
Date of Birth: 02.10.1893
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Post-War Activities
- Association with Hermann Göring
- Political Career
- Economic and Industrial Prowess
- Post-War Trials and Imprisonment
Early Life and Military Career
Paul Körner was born in Zittau, Germany, and attended local schools. In 1914, he volunteered for military service during World War I. He initially served in the Saxon Royal Field Artillery Regiment No. 28 and later became a staff officer, reaching the rank of captain by 1919. During the war, he befriended the Bavarian fighter pilot Hermann Göring.
Post-War Activities
After the war, Körner joined the Freikorps Lutzow and studied law. Unable to find employment, he lived on a small allowance from his family. In November 1926, he joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP).
Association with Hermann Göring
In 1928, Körner reconnected with Hermann Göring, whom he had met during the war. Körner had a Mercedes-Benz car, and Göring asked him to become his chauffeur and representative for various aviation firms. Körner became Göring's personal driver and confidant. In 1931, he joined the SS and was promoted to the rank of SS-Gruppenführer. From late 1931, he served as Göring's personal secretary.
Political Career
Following Hitler's rise to power in February 1933, Körner became Göring's personal advisor in the Prussian Ministry of the Interior. From March 1933 until the end of the war, he was a Reichstag deputy representing Berlin-West. On April 11, 1933, he became State Secretary of the Prussian government.
Economic and Industrial Prowess
As Göring was heavily occupied with his numerous roles, Körner assumed the day-to-day management of the Prussian government. From September 1933, he was the Prussian State Councillor. As a member of the Prussian State Council, he also represented Prussia in the Imperial Council (Reichsrat). From October 1936, Körner served as the permanent deputy to the Plenipotentiary for the Four-Year Plan under Göring. In 1937, he became the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the "Hermann Göring" concern.
Post-War Trials and Imprisonment
After the war, Körner was arrested by American troops. He testified at the Nuremberg Trials in 1946 against the major war criminals. He was also indicted and tried in the "Ministries Trial" (Wilhelmstrasse Trial) by the American Military Tribunal. On April 11, 1949, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison but was later amnestied and released on December 15, 1951, from the Landsberg prison for war criminals.
