Karl Bömer: Difference between revisions
Changing short description from "German propaganda officer" to "German propaganda officer (1900 – 1942)" |
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Bömer joined the [[NSDAP]] in 1932. Bömer was appointed by [[Alfred Rosenberg]] to lead the Press Department of the NSDAP's Foreign Policy Office in May 1933. During the 1930s, Nazi authorities hired Bömer to engage with the foreign press corps in Berlin within the German Propaganda Ministry.<ref>[[Pierre J. Huss|Huss, Pierre J.]] (1942), ''The Foe We Face'', New York, p. 129-133.</ref> His familiarity with publicity methods gleaned from his time in the US positioned him as a valuable resource in shaping and managing the foreign press corps's perception of the Nazi regime in Germany. |
Bömer joined the [[NSDAP]] in 1932. Bömer was appointed by [[Alfred Rosenberg]] to lead the Press Department of the NSDAP's Foreign Policy Office in May 1933. During the 1930s, Nazi authorities hired Bömer to engage with the foreign press corps in Berlin within the German Propaganda Ministry.<ref>[[Pierre J. Huss|Huss, Pierre J.]] (1942), ''The Foe We Face'', New York, p. 129-133.</ref> His familiarity with publicity methods gleaned from his time in the US positioned him as a valuable resource in shaping and managing the foreign press corps's perception of the Nazi regime in Germany. |
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==Dismissal and arrest (1941)== |
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In May 1941 Bömer's inadvertent revelation of the Soviet attack while under the influence at a Bulgarian Embassy gathering in Berlin led to his dismissal from ministry news conferences.<ref>Desmond, Robert William (1984), ''Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945'', Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.</ref> Despite inquiries from foreign correspondents, Bömer's whereabouts remained undisclosed until it was revealed that he had been apprehended by the Gestapo. Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Bömer faced trial and condemnation by a [[People's Court (Germany)|People’s Court]], losing all titles and receiving a prison sentence. Despite facing potential execution, he was ultimately released due to agreement by the senior Nazi authorities, on the understanding that he serve in the army on the Eastern front.<ref>Desmond, Robert William (1984), ''Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945'', Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.</ref> |
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==Death== |
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Bömer sustained injuries near Kharkov and passed away in a military hospital in Krakow in August 1942, holding the rank of lieutenant at the time of his demise.<ref>Desmond, Robert William (1984), ''Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945'', Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:46, 20 March 2024
Karl Bömer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Karl Bömer in 1940 | |
| Born | September 7, 1900 Münster, Germany |
| Died | August 22, 1942 (aged 41) Krakow, Poland |
| Nationality | Germany |
| Education | PhD, University of Münster[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Nazi propaganda and public relations officer |
Karl Bömer (September 7, 1900 – August 22, 1942) was a German ministerial director and the head of the Foreign Department for Journalism in the Ministry of Propaganda. His accidental hint at German plans to invade the USSR led to his arrest by the Gestapo in May 1941. Subsequently, he fought on the Eastern Front in 1942 and sustained injuries near Kharkov; Bömer died in a military hospital in Krakow.[2]
Education and early career
Bömer embarked on academic pursuits in journalism in the late 1920s, including visits to various American universities and lecturing at the School of Journalism of the University of Missouri. It was during this time that Bömer crossed paths with Pierre J. Huss, who would later head the INS Berlin bureau.[3] Prior to his appointment in the Nazi Propaganda Ministry, Bömer cultivated experience in journalism and public relations and participated in initiatives aimed at fostering improved relations between Germany and Mexico as well as the US.[4]
Career in the Nazi era (1932-1941)
Bömer joined the NSDAP in 1932. Bömer was appointed by Alfred Rosenberg to lead the Press Department of the NSDAP's Foreign Policy Office in May 1933. During the 1930s, Nazi authorities hired Bömer to engage with the foreign press corps in Berlin within the German Propaganda Ministry.[5] His familiarity with publicity methods gleaned from his time in the US positioned him as a valuable resource in shaping and managing the foreign press corps's perception of the Nazi regime in Germany.
Dismissal and arrest (1941)
In May 1941 Bömer's inadvertent revelation of the Soviet attack while under the influence at a Bulgarian Embassy gathering in Berlin led to his dismissal from ministry news conferences.[6] Despite inquiries from foreign correspondents, Bömer's whereabouts remained undisclosed until it was revealed that he had been apprehended by the Gestapo. Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Bömer faced trial and condemnation by a People’s Court, losing all titles and receiving a prison sentence. Despite facing potential execution, he was ultimately released due to agreement by the senior Nazi authorities, on the understanding that he serve in the army on the Eastern front.[7]
Death
Bömer sustained injuries near Kharkov and passed away in a military hospital in Krakow in August 1942, holding the rank of lieutenant at the time of his demise.[8]
References
- ^ Deutsche Biographische Enzyklopädie (German Biographical Encyclopedia), Vol. 1, p. 629.
- ^ The New York Times, August 24, 1942, 'Disgraced Boemer Is Killed In Russia’, p. 2.
- ^ Huss, Pierre J. (1942), The Foe We Face, New York, p. 130.
- ^ Huss, Pierre J. (1942), The Foe We Face, New York, p. 129-130.
- ^ Huss, Pierre J. (1942), The Foe We Face, New York, p. 129-133.
- ^ Desmond, Robert William (1984), Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945, Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.
- ^ Desmond, Robert William (1984), Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945, Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.
- ^ Desmond, Robert William (1984), Tides of War World News Reporting, 1940-1945, Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, p. 123 (ref. 6); 164.