NAZI Beer Hall Putsch (1923)


Figure 1.--Hitler staged his Beer Hall Putsch in Munich (November 8, 1923). He had a force of about about 3,000 Stormtroopers. It was poorly oganized and failed. There were apparently some cooperating units outside Munich. The German caption here read, "Zu dem Verbot der S.A. der "Privat Armee" Adolf Hitlers! Erinnerungen an den Hitler - Putsch im Jahre 1923. Mit Maschinengewehren bewaffnete S.A. Hitlers in den Strassen Neustadts an der bayrisch - thürigischen Grenze." This means something like, "The S.A., Hitler's private army, the armed Bavarian fighting associations of the force on the Thuringian border. Swastika crosshairs stand guard in the streets of Neustadt armed with machine guns." Thiringia is the Geman state north of Bavaria. The variety of uniforms shows they are not army troops, but they managed to get their hands on a machinegun. The white arm bands apparently had swastcas stenciled on them. The machinegun is a Maschinengewehr 08 (MG 08), the standard World War I German machinegun. Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-13370 / CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Gustav von Kahr, the Bavarian state leader, called a meeting of local officials (November 8, 1923). While von Kahr was speaking, Hitler with armed stormtroopers burst into the building. Hitler jumped on top of a table and fired a pistol. He told the astonished officials that he had just launched the National Revolution. Hitler ordered Goering and the SA to guard the officials. Among those officials in addition to von Kahr were Otto von Lossow (Army commander in Bavaria), and Hans von Lossow (commandant of the Bavarian State Police). He tried to convince these officials to join him. As the new leader of Germany, he offered them posts in the new German government. All three declined. An enraged Hitler threatened to shoot them and then commit suicide. He reportedly told them, "I have three bullets for you, gentlemen, and one for me!" All three then agreed. Then former Field Marshall Eric Ludendorff arrived. Ludendorff was regarded by many Germans as a great war hero. It was he and Hidenberg that had defeated the Russian Army at Tannenberg early in the War (1914). It was, however, also Ludendorff that had planned the final great offensive that had failed (1918). Unwilling to accept the idea that he had failed, he found Hitler's constant claim that the Army had not failed, but was stabbed in the back by Jews and Socialists appealing. He thus supported the NAZIs. I do not know how deply he was involved in the Putsch, but it is curious that he turned up just at this time. Hitler offered him command of the Army and Ludendorff accepted. While Hitler was seizing the Bavarian government. Roehm, leading another group of armed Stormtroopers took control of the War Ministry. Rudolf Hess with other Stormtroopers was arresting Jews and left-wing politicans. Hitler's plan was to march on Berlin and seize control of the national government. Hitler's planning for the Putsch did not include seizing radio stations and the telegraph offices. As a result, national government officials in Berlin learned about the Putsch and prepared to act against it. The following day, Hitler, Ludendorff, Goering, Hess, and about 3,000 armed Stormtroopers and other supporters marched through Munich in an effort to join Roehm at the War Ministey. When they reached Odensplatz they encountered a detachment of the Munich police who ordered them to stop. When the NAZIs refused, the police fired a warning volley. The Stormtroopers returned fire. In the ensuing fire fight 21 people were killed and about 100 wounded, among them Goering. Hitler dropped to the ground, dislocating his shoulder. He then ran away using a car to make his get away. The NAZIs had a larger force than the police, but after Hitler ran away so did most of the Stormtroopers. Ludendorff and his adjutant, however, walked straight at the police despite the fire. Later Hitler's flight was explained with the feletious explanation that he was rushing a wounded boy to the hospital. Hitler had anticipated that Ludendorff's participation meant that the Reichwehr was with him. This proved not to be the case.

Red Bavaria (1919)

The murder of Sparticists Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht in Berlin after the Sparticist uprising were the first notable political murders in Germany. Thet were, however, only the beginning. Kurt Eisner, a journalist, had become Bavarian primeminister after the ovrthrow of the monarchy (November 7, 1918). He proved to be an honest, but inept politican. When elections were held for the Diet, Eisner and his party won only three seats (January 12, 1919). The conservative Bavarian People's Party dominated the election and won 66 seats. Eisener set out to for the opening of the Lantag to resign and was shot by a nationaslist officer, Count Arco-Valley (Febrary 21). The population of Munich was outraged. A Worker-Soldier Peasant Central Committee was formed and proclaimed a state of seige. The Diet was not allowed to convene for several weeks, but finally met (March 17). They chose SD Johannes Hoffman minister president. Then new of a Communist Government seizing power in Hungary reached Munich (March 21). Local Communists decided this was the time to strike. What followed was the bloodiest episode in post-War Germany. The Communits Government was initially led by of all people, a romantic poet, Ernst Toller. Within only a week more hard core Soviet influenced Communists led by a young sailor, Rudolf Egelhofer, had control of the Governent. He set in motion a lawless period of seizing bank deposits, looting homes, and confiscating private assetts. Hoffman set up in Bamberg and urged the population to resist the Communists and requested military intervention from Berlin. The Communists turned back an Army column at Dachau north of Munich. Hoffman also requested Freikorps. The Freikorps were only minimally disciplined and committed terrible attricities as they moved toward Munich. One notable incdent was murdering 52 Russian POWs. The Comminists retailiated by shooting hostages, members of nationlis, anti-Semetic Thule Society. The Army and Freikorps finally fought their way into Munich from several directions on May Day (May 1). Mamy Communists who attempted to surrender were shot. The "liberators" aldso shot many civilians suspcted of sympathizing with the Communists. The episode profoundly affected Bavarian politics. Bavaria during the Imperial period had been much more liberal than Russia. The brief period of Communist control turned Bavaria to the right, creating strong anti-Communist feeling and because there were many Jews among the Communists, intensified anti-Semetic feeling.

Right-wing Rally (November ?)

Right-wing parties at the begiining of the November held a rally in Nuremberg. Agreement was reached to make Hitler Kampfbund Bayern (Kampfgemeinschaft Bayern). The participating groups included the NAZIS, Bund Oberland (Dr Weber) and Reichskriegsflagge (Hauptmann Heiss). It is at this time that Hitler begins to cooperate with World War I hero Field Marshall Erich Ludendorff.

Hitler's Plan

Hitler's plan was to first seize Munich were the NAZIs were stongest. He then planned to march on Berlin and seize control of the national government. Hitler seems to have thought that since Ludendorff has joined him that the Army was also with him.

Hitler and Göring: The Beer Hall (November 8)

Ministerpräsident Gustav von Kahr, the Bavarian state leader, called a meeting of local officials at the Bürgerbräukeller (November 8, 1923). While von Kahr was speaking, Hitler with armed SA stormtroopers burst into the building. Hitler jumped on top of a table and fired a pistol. He told the astonished officials that he had just launched the National Revolution. Hitler ordered Goering and the SA to guard the officials. Among those officials in addition to von Kahr were Otto von Lossow (Army commander in Bavaria), and Hans von Lossow (commandant of the Bavarian State Police). He tried to convince these officials to join him. As the new leader of Germany, he offered them posts in the new German government. All three declined. An enraged Hitler threatened to shoot them and then commit suicide. He reportedly told them, "I have three bullets for you, gentlemen, and one for me!" All three then agreed. Then former Field Marshall Eric Ludendorff arrived. Ludendorff was regarded by many Germans as a great war hero. It was he and Hidenberg that had defeated the Russian Army at Tannenberg early in the War (1914). It was, however, also Ludendorff that had planned the final great offensive that had failed (1918). Unwilling to accept the idea that he had failed, he found Hitler's constant claim that the Army had not failed, but was stabbed in the back by Jews and Socialists appealing. He thus supported the NAZIs. I do not know how deply he was involved in the Putsch, but it is curious that he turned up just at this time. Hitler offered him command of the Army and Ludendorff accepted.

Röhm: War Ministry (November 8)

While Hitler was seizing the Bavarian government. Roehm, leading another group of armed SAStormtroopers took control of the War Ministry.

Hess: Arressts (November 8)

Rudolf Hess with other Stormtroopers was arresting Jews and left-wing politicans.

Error

Hitler's planning for the Putsch did not include seizing radio stations and the telegraph offices. As a result, national government officials in Berlin learned about the Putsch and prepared to act against it.

Further Roundups (November 9)

The the SA and elite Stosstrupp Hitler began arresting Communist Party leaders.

Munich Street Confrontation (November 9)

The following day, Hitler, Ludendorff, Göering, Hess, and 2,000-3,000 armed supporters assembled. It was not just SA Stormtroopers. Joining the NAZIs were Stosstrupp Hitler and Bund Oberland. They proceeded to march through Munich in an effort to join Röhm at the War Ministey. When they reached Residenzstrasse they encountered a detachment of the Munich police who ordered them to stop. When the NAZIs refused, the police fired a warning volley. The Stormtroopers returned fire. In the ensuing fire fight 21 people (4 policemen and 16 putschists) were killed and about 100 wounded, among them Goering. Hitler dropped to the ground, dislocating his shoulder. He then ran away using a car to make his get away. The NAZIs had a larger force than the police, but after Hitler ran away so did most of the Stormtroopers. Ludendorff and his adjutant, however, walked straight at the police despite the fire. Later Hitler's flight was explained with the feletious explanation that he was rushing a wounded boy to the hospital. Hitler had anticipated that Ludendorff's participation meant that the Reichwehr was with him. This proved not to be the case.

War Ministry

While the police effectively ended the putsch at Residenzstrasse, some of the putschists held out longer. Röhm and the SA Stormtroopers at the War Ministry did not immediately surrender.

Bludfahne

The NAZI Blutfahne (Blood flag) was a Swastika flag which had been used by the MAZI plotters trying to seize power in Munich in the attempted Beer Hall Putsch (1923). The flag was the unit banner of the 5th SA Sturm which participated in the Purtch. The Munich police fired on the advancing group and the flag became stained by the blood. SA Storm Trooper Andreas Bauriedl who shot and killed and fell on the flag. After Hitler was released from Landsberg prison, the Blutfahne became perhaps the most revered symbol of the NAZI Party. It was carried by SS Sturmbannführer Jakob Grimminger at important NAZI Party ceremonies. The blood of the NAZI martyrs on the flag was seen as possessing sacred symbolic power. It was ritualized and sanctified in the ceremony which became known as "The Rite of the Blood Flag." The most notable ceremony occurred at the annual NAZI Party rallies at Nuremberg. Hitler would use the Blutfahne to annoit or santify new flags in a kind of priestly religious ritual. Honor guards would present new banners and Hitler would piously touch them with the new Blutfahne. The flag was kept at NAZI Party headquarters in Munich which became a kind if reliquary where it was protected by an SS honor guard.

Landsburg Prison

Adolf Hitler after his conviction for treason as a result of the Munich Beer Hall Putch wrote Mein Kampf while confined in Landsburg Prison. Hitler's prison term was was served at Landsberg Castle in Munich. His terms of confinment were not severe. Living conditions were reasonably comfortable. Friends and visitors could bring food. He was in group quarters. He apparantly bored the other inmates with his political harangs. He took this serious and proceeded to do just that. He did not like to type. He thus dictated orally which Rudoolf Hess, his secretary, wrote down. This probably contributed to the rambling text. Mein Kampf is a long and rambling book which as a result, the content aside, makes for difficult reading. Hitler was an avid consumer of crack pot ideas, many of which are exhibited in the book.

Rewards

Hitler with a few notable exceptions (escpecially Röhm) was loyal to his old conrads from the early years of the NAZI rise to power. Many of those who participated in the Putsch became important officials in the NAZI regime. The two most important were Herman Göring and Rudolf Hess. Others received important posts. Hand or received important appointments. Hans Frank became a leading NAZI jurist and finally Govenor General of the General Government (MAZI occupied Poland). Julius Stricher participated and this as well as his virulent anti-Semitism explain his appointment as Gauleiter of Franconia. One Austrian, Ernst Rüdiger Starhemberg, participated in the Putsch, but later split with the NAZIs. He had the good sence to flee Austria after the Anschluss.





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Created: 11:50 PM 8/3/2008
Last updated: 10:12 PM 9/19/2009