Reichswerke Hermann Göring
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| Reichswerke Hermann Göring | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Reichswerke Hermann Göring |
| Type | State-owned enterprise |
| Industry | Steel, mining, and manufacturing |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Hermann Göring |
| Defunct | 1945 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | Salzgitter, Germany |
Reichswerke Hermann Göring was a state-owned enterprise in Nazi Germany, established in 1937 by Hermann Göring, a prominent figure in the Nazi Party and close associate of Adolf Hitler. The company was created to manage the German steel and mining industries, with the goal of increasing production and reducing dependence on foreign imports, as outlined in the Four Year Plan. This plan was a key component of the Nazi economic policy, which aimed to prepare Germany for war by rapidly increasing industrial production, as seen in the Remilitarization of the Rhineland and the Anschluss. The company's establishment was also influenced by the Treaty of Versailles, which had imposed significant limitations on Germany's industrial production.
● History
The history of the company is closely tied to the Nazi regime and its aggressive expansionist policies, including the Invasion of Poland and the Battle of France. The company's founding was a key step in the implementation of the Four Year Plan, which was designed to rapidly increase Germany's industrial production and prepare the country for war, as seen in the Battle of Britain and the Invasion of the Soviet Union. The company's early years were marked by significant investment and expansion, with the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of existing ones, such as the Vereinigte Stahlwerke and the Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-Aktien-Gesellschaft. This expansion was facilitated by the Nazi Party's close relationships with industrial leaders, including Fritz Thyssen and Albert Vögler, and was supported by the Reich Ministry of Economics and the Reich Ministry of War.
● Organization and Structure
The company was organized into several divisions, each responsible for a specific aspect of production, including steel, mining, and manufacturing, with key facilities located in Salzgitter, Peine, and Braunschweig. The company's leadership was composed of high-ranking officials from the Nazi Party and the German military, including Paul Pleiger and Ernst Sachs, who played important roles in the company's operations and decision-making processes. The company's structure was also influenced by the Nazi Party's emphasis on Gleichschaltung, or the coordination of all aspects of society under party control, as seen in the Reich Chamber of Commerce and the Reich Ministry of Labor.
● Operations and Production
The company's operations were focused on the production of steel, coal, and other essential materials for the German war effort, including the production of Panzer tanks and Messerschmitt aircraft. The company's facilities were located throughout Germany and occupied territories, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Austria, with key facilities located in Katowice, Ostrava, and Linz. The company's production was supported by the use of forced labor from concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Mauthausen, as well as labor from prisoner-of-war camps, such as Stalag Luft III and Oflag IV-C. The company's operations were also influenced by the Nazi Party's emphasis on autarky, or economic self-sufficiency, as seen in the Reich Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Reich Ministry of Transport.
● Impact and Legacy
The company's impact on the German war effort was significant, with the production of essential materials and equipment for the German military, including the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe. The company's use of forced labor and its role in the Nazi war crimes have been the subject of significant controversy and criticism, with many of the company's leaders, including Hermann Göring and Paul Pleiger, being prosecuted for their roles in the Nuremberg trials. The company's legacy continues to be felt today, with many of its facilities still in operation, including the Salzgitter AG and the Vereinigte Stahlwerke, and its history serving as a reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of human rights, as seen in the United Nations and the European Union.
● Notable Facilities and Locations
The company operated a number of notable facilities and locations, including the Salzgitter steelworks, the Peine coal mine, and the Braunschweig manufacturing plant, as well as facilities in occupied territories, such as the Katowice steelworks and the Ostrava coal mine. The company's facilities were often located near key transportation hubs, including the Rhine River and the Elbe River, and were connected by a network of railways and highways, including the Reichsautobahn and the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The company's locations were also influenced by the Nazi Party's emphasis on strategic location, with many facilities located near key military installations, such as the Kriegsmarine base in Wilhelmshaven and the Luftwaffe base in Hamburg.