The Speakers Organization of the NSDAP

A large number of sub-organizetionswere under the command of the Reichspropagandaleiter. This article will concentrate on one ofthose organizations...the Speakers Corps of the Party. This sub-organization waspart of the Amtsleitung "Aktive Propaganda". The following is taken directlyfrom the 1937 "Organisationsbuch der NSDAP'' and is the most complete description of the Corps. The "Organisationsbuch'' for the years 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1943 have only minor differences in text.

Amtsleitung Active Propaganda:

The Active Propaganda had the duty of organizing all direct propaganda at mass meetings with their huge architectural settings, to the small meetings of the Ortsgruppen, and even the smaller Stutzpunkte. This put the complete propaganda speakers organization of the Party, plus their sub-sections and adjacent organizations, under the control ofthe Amtsleitung Active Propaganda. As well as the constant problems of current political questions, the organization had to indoctrinate the speakers staff with information and distribute the monthly publication, "Unsere Wille und Weg" to all propagandists in the Reich.

The activities of the speakers also called for the design and circulation of posters and leaflets, as well as keeping notes on the meetings as related to the speakers and the propaganda offices. Thus, a total overview of propaganda was known based on the statistics in all the reports from the Kreisen and Gauen.

Hauptstelle Rednerwesen:

The Hauptstelle Rednerwesen, with its sub-section "Rednerorganisation"was in charge of the total Reichs-, Gau and Kreisrednet of the NSDAP, as well as all professional speakers of the sub Party organizations and all adjacent ones as well.

This staff of speakers for the movement was to be supplied with all materials necessary. But it was stressed that the Party material was only to go to valid speakers.

The Rednervermittlung, which was the booking agency for the Reichsredner, Stosstrupprednern of the Anwarter for the Stosstrupp, was the only office authorized to perform that duty. This office also had the responsibility for the Rednerschulung section, whose duties included the education of the incoming political and professional speakers, as well as the continued education of all active speakers. Therefore, a special Reichsrednerschule (Reichs speakers school) was established for this purpose.

Die Parteiredner:

The Speakers Corps consisted of the following:

* Reichsredner

* Stosstruppredner - Anwiirter

* Gauredner

* Kreisredner

* Fachredner (professional speakers) Upon the announcement of a meeting, the description and activities had to be listed. The theme would be: a. The proficiency principle. b. Based on the reputation of the "OldFighters."

Basically there was a difference between the political speaker and the profession alone. The political speaker had the obligation, in public meetings and gatherings, to stress National Socialistideology as well bringing announcements from the government to the German people by way of the spoken word. Political speakers could only be chosen from Party members who had been a member of the NSDAP prior to January 1933, and who were already active speakers or were a Party Leader or were in the SA, SS or the HJ.

Reichs- and Stosstruppredner could only be Party members who had been active for a certain amount of time as Anwarter in the Rednerstosstrupp, and had been a student who had passed his exams in an ideology course at a Gaueducational school.

Party speakers were also "on call" to teach educational courses for the NSDAP.

Party speakers could, if they did not hold a higher rank in another Party organization, be listed by rank based on activity and seniority as follows:

Reichsredner: Hilfsstellenleiter to Hauptstellenleiter of the Reichsleitung.

Stosstruppredner: Mitarbeiter to Stellenleiter of the Reichsleitung.

Gauredner: a. Those who had been active before 14.9.1930 and since then had performed as a speaker or had a special qualification and was a Stellenleiter der Gauleitung. b. Those who could prove they had been active in the Party and had the ability as a speaker and was a Hauptstellenleiter of a Kreisleitung of the NSDAP.

Kreisredner: Had to be a Stellenleiter of a Kreisleitung of the NSDAP.

Fachredner: These were Reichs-,Gau- and Kreis professional speakers. Those of adjacent organizations and sub-organizations of the Party who were active speakers also came under the auspices of the Reichspropagandaleitung. They did not, however, hold a Party rank such as Party Leader. To remain under the auspices of the Reichspropagandaleitung one had to be proficient, have merit, and be a member of the Party.

Ausweise:

Speakers were issued special identification cards by the Reichspropagandaleitung. Illustrated is a rare card of Dr.Albeit Jaeger, who was a Party speaker of the Munich Gauleitunk. He received his card on January 1, 1935. This identification card was valid for either a quarter or half of a year. As shown on the dated stamps, they became valid with the rubber stamp overprint. It is believed that this is the first time such a card has been illustrated in a publication.

Otto Spronk, "The Speakers Organization of the NSDAP", The Military Advisor, 2002

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