Nazi Party District Leadership Munich

When the organization of the Nazi party was reformed in 1932, District Leaderships (Kreisleitungen) were created as intermediate bodies between the Regional Leaderships and the party base. The position of District Leader was the lowest full-time party office. District Leaders (Kreisleiter) were appointed by Hitler at the suggestion of the Regional Leader (Gauleiter) and were responsible to the Regional Leadership in all party matters. The District Leader was responsible for the “entire political, cultural and economic organization of all manifestations of life according to National Socialist principles” (Organization Manual, p. 130). He was supported by a staff of up to around 40 employees, which increased in number over the course of the Nazi regime, including the District Manager (Kreisgeschäftsführer), the Head of District Organization (Kreisorganisationsleiter), the Head of District Training (Kreisschulungsleiter), the Head of District Propaganda (Kreispropagandaleiter) and the Head of the District Personnel Office (Kreispersonalamtsleiter). He oversaw the Nazi Party Local Groups.

The Nazi Party District Leadership was responsible not just for the city of Munich but also the surrounding district of Munich. Its headquarters were at Von-der-Tann-Straße 3. The number of party members in this administrative area increased from around 10,000 when the Nazis came to power to 63,000 in 1939, including more than 10,000 ‘Political Leaders’ in 116 Local Groups who were required to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler (party officials such as leaders of Blocks, Cells and Local Groups). The District Leaderships were involved in enforcing rule in a variety of ways, for example by organizing Nazi propaganda, monitoring subordinate party functionaries and administrative authorities, while also acting as points of contact for denunciations or complaints from party members. During the war, they were required to take on additional responsibilities such as removing the consequences of aerial warfare and honoring fallen soldiers in an effort to boost morale.