German Leadership

Wilhelm Bruckner as Oberst, Heer.

Bruckner was a veteran Nazi (Beer Hall Putschist), a Freikorps Epp veteran, and SA veteran. He also had a good and extensive university education - not, perhaps, typical of the SA man - and a respectable WW1 (don't think he earned the EKI - but plenty of other metalwork). From about 1930 to 1940, Bruckner was Hitler's Adjutant-in-Chief, a job in which he was, apparently, popular with staff and clients, and efficient and effective. Hard to know - but this may have reflected a certain relaxed quality that made him vulnerable to potential enemies such as Bormann and the SS. In 1940, following a trivial domestic spat withing the Fuhrer's household, Bruckner was summarily dismissed as Adjutant. He held the SA rank of Obergruppenfuhrer at the time. He was succeeded by his deputy, the SS Adjutant Julius Schaub. Bruckner opted to activate a Reserve Heer commission. This 'photo may be associated with a promotion to Oberst early in 1942 - I am not clear as to the details. In any event - a nice studio portrait. Best regards, JR.