Wehrwirtschaftsführer


Wehrwirtschaftsführer were, during the time of Nazi Germany, executives of companies or big factories called 'rüstungswichtiger Betrieb'.
Wehrwirtschaftsführer were appointed, starting 1935, by the 'Wehrwirtschafts- und Rüstungsamt' being a part of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, that was pushing the build-up of arms for the Wehrmacht.
The purpose of the appointment was to bind them to the Wehrmacht and to give them a quasi-military status.
After 1938, the appointed the Wehrwirtschaftsführer. From 1940 on, this title was given more and more also to leading employees in companies not belonging to the armament branch, also to demonstrate that those companies were contributing to the wartime economy.
Especially before 1940, appointments did not indicate the political attitude of the person receiving the title. They also gave no information saying that his company / the company he was managing was important for the armament.
If a manager was appointed 'Wehrwirtschaftsführer', his company could more easily use negative employment laws for the workers and employees.
Appointed were :