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Walter BecherGerman politician, former Nazi
Date of Birth: 01.10.1912
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Walter Becher
Walter Becher, a German politician and former Nazi, was born in Karlsbad, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire. He came from an influential family engaged in manufacturing since 1530. One of the most well-known projects of the Becher clan was the herbal liqueur 'Karlsbader Becherbitter', now known as 'Becherovka'. After school, Walter studied political science and worked as a journalist. As a student, he joined the 'Deutsche Gildenschaft' movement. In 1938, Becher became a member of the NSDAP, the precursor to the Nazi Party, and started working as an editor for the pro-Nazi publication 'Die Zeit', focusing on arts, science, and entertainment.
During World War II, Becher served in the German army from 1940 onwards. In 1942, he was appointed as an editor of the military newspaper 'Panzer-Propagandazug PK 697', under the leadership of Kurt Joachim Fischer. However, Becher's military and political career came to an end with Germany's defeat in the war. Like many of his comrades, he ended up in an American prisoner of war camp. After his release, Becher was unable to return to Bohemia and was forcibly relocated to Bavaria. He became an active member of the expelled Bohemian German community.
In 1947, Becher participated in the creation of another public organization, the 'Sudeten German Council'. In 1959, he founded the 'Committee for the Protection of Citizens against Defamation by the Leftist Press' to defend civilians against possible insults from the left-wing media. Becher maintained his connections with the Sudeten Germans and became the vice-president of one of their unions in 1968. In 1982, he was appointed as the president.
Walter Becher received the Bavarian Medal for Merit in 1962 and the European Charlemagne Prize of the Sudeten German Association in 1983 for his outstanding achievements in the struggle for self-determination and international understanding. His biography served as the basis for the documentary short film 'Der Präsident im Exil' (The President in Exile) in 1969.
His son, Peter Becher, currently holds the position of chairman of the Adalbert Stifter Association. After World War II, Walter played a role in the establishment of the German Community Party. However, prior to the parliamentary elections, he switched to the BHE party. In 1959, Walter attempted to initiate the creation of a new conservative movement based on the National Democratic Union, but his call received little response. In 1961, BHE participated in another mass merger, and Becher automatically became a member of the Gesamtdeutsche Partei. Unfortunately, this did not significantly enhance his parliamentary career.
