Julius Schreck | |
|---|---|
 Schreck in 1936 | |
| 1st Reichsführer-SS | |
| In office 4 April 1925 – 15 April 1926 | |
| Leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Berchtold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 July 1898 |
| Died | 16 May 1936(1936-05-16) (aged 37) |
| Political party | Nazi Party |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Branch/service | Imperial German Army |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Julius Schreck (13 July 1898 – 16 May 1936) was a GermanNazi official and close confidant ofAdolf Hitler. Born inMunich, Schreck served inWorld War I and shortly afterwards joined right-wing paramilitary units. He joined theNazi Party in 1920 and was a founding member of theSturmabteilung ("Storm Detachment"; SA). Later in 1925, he became the first leader of theSchutzstaffel ("Protection Squadron"; SS). He then served for a time as a chauffeur for Hitler. Schreck developedmeningitis in 1936 and died on 16 May of that year. Hitler gave him astate funeral.
Julius Schreck was born on 13 July 1898 in Munich inBavaria. He served in theGerman Army duringWorld War I. After the war ended, Schreck became an early member of theNational Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party; NSDAP), having joined in 1920 and documented as member No. 53. Schreck developed a friendship with the party's leaderAdolf Hitler during its early years.[1]
Schreck was a founding member of theSturmabteilung ("Storm Detachment"; SA), being involved in its growth and development.[2] This was a paramilitary wing of the party designed to disrupt political opponents and provide muscle for security tasks. Hitler, in early 1923, ordered the formation of a small separate bodyguard dedicated to his service and protection rather than an uncontrolled mass of the party, such as the SA.[3] Originally the unit was composed of only eight men, commanded by Schreck andJoseph Berchtold.[4] It was designated theStabswache ("Staff Guard").[5] TheStabswache were issued unique badges, but at this point theStabswache was still under overall control of the SA, whose membership continued to increase. Schreck resurrected the use of theTotenkopf ("death's head") as the unit's insignia, a symbol various elite forces had used in the past, including specialized assault troops ofImperial Germany inWorld War I who usedHutierinfiltration tactics.[6]
In May 1923, the unit was renamedStoßtrupp-Hitler ("Shock Troop-Hitler").[4][6] The unit was solely responsible for Hitler's personal protection.[2] On 9 November 1923 theStoßtrupp, along with the SA and several other paramilitary units, took part in theBeer Hall Putsch inMunich.[2] The plan was to seize control of the city in acoup d'état and then challenge the government inBerlin. The putsch was quickly crushed by the local police. In the aftermath of the failed putsch both Hitler, Schreck, and other Nazi leaders were incarcerated for treason atLandsberg Prison.[2] The Nazi Party and all associated formations, including theStoßtrupp, were officially disbanded.[7]
After Hitler's release from prison on 20 December 1924, the Nazi Party was officially refounded. In 1925, Hitler ordered Schreck to organise the formation of a new bodyguard unit, theSchutzkommando ("Protection Command").[8] Hitler wanted a small group of tough ex-soldiers such as Schreck, who would be loyal to him. The unit included oldStoßtrupp members such asEmil Maurice andErhard Heiden.[9][10] The unit made its first public appearance in April 1925. That same year, theSchutzkommando was expanded to a national level. It was also successively renamed theSturmstaffel ("Storm Squadron") and then finally theSchutzstaffel ("Protection Squadron"; SS) on 9 November 1925.[11] Schreck became SS member #5.[12] He was asked by Hitler to command the bodyguard company. Schreck never referred to himself asReichsführer-SS, but the title was retroactively applied to him in later years.[13]
In 1926, Schreck stood down as commander of the SS and Berchtold took over the leadership.[14] Berchtold changed the title of the office position, which became known as theReichsführer-SS.[15] Schreck remained on the SS rolls as an SS-Führer and worked as Hitler's privatechauffeur after Maurice until 1934.[16] In 1930, after the SS had begun to expand underHeinrich Himmler, Schreck was appointed an SS-Standartenführer, but had little actual power. He continued to serve at Hitler's side and they were on very good terms.[16]
Schreck continued as Hitler's personal driver until 1936.[14] That spring Schreck developedmeningitis and died on 16 May in Munich.[16] He was a well-liked man and Hitler was distraught when Schreck died.[16] His final rank was SS-Brigadeführer, a rank equivalent to that of aGeneralmajor in theWehrmacht.[17] Schreck was accorded a Nazi state funeral. Himmler referred to him as "Adolf Hitler's first SS man".[18]
| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by Office established | Reich Leader of the SS 1925–1926 | Succeeded by |
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| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
