Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Martin Bormann

Role / Field:

High-ranking Nazi official, private secretary to Hitler, controlling information flow.

Born:

1900-06-17

Died:

1945-05-02

Century / Era:

1900s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Martin Ludwig Bormann (17 June 1900 – 2 May 1945) was a German Nazi Party official, head of the Nazi Party Chancellery, and private secretary to Adolf Hitler. Bormann gained immense power by using his position as Hitler's private secretary to control the flow of information and access to Hitler. He used his position to create an extensive bureaucracy and involve himself as much as possible in decision-making. Born in Wegeleben, Bormann joined a paramilitary Freikorps organisation in 1922 while working as manager of a large estate.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He served nearly a year in prison as an accomplice to his friend Rudolf Höss (later commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp) in the murder of school teacher Walther Kadow. Bormann joined the Nazi Party in 1927 and the Schutzstaffel (SS) in 1937. He initially worked in the party's insurance service, and transferred in July 1933 to the office of Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess, where he served as chief of staff. Bormann gained acceptance into Hitler's inner circle and accompanied him everywhere, providing briefings and summaries of events and requests. He was appointed Hitler's personal secretary on 12 April 1943.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After Hess's solo flight to Britain on 10 May 1941...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Martin Bormann