Map dated November 1923 for an apparent plot to capture a military barracks, probably in Weimar

HELL, General Ernst-Eberhard (1887-1973)

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Date Published: 1923
Edition: 1st Edition
Binding: No binding
Condition: Very Good
Book Id: 3664

Description

41.5cm x 33cm, light paper printed two sides and folded to 10.5cm x 16.5cm. Some separatations along the folds otherwise in very good condition.

This document is dated 26 November 1923 in Weimar, and originates with the office of the military authority of Thuringia.

It states that a sketch has been found in the briefcase of Dr. Neubauer, a member of Parliament for Thuringia, relating to a plan to capture a military barracks. The sketch [3645_02 and 03] is a diagram of a barracks (its location is not given) with messages superimposed on it such as "march in," "turn off lanterns," "deploy at the same time," "break through fence" and "ambush" (Überfall) presumably instructions for attacking different parts of the barracks.

This document is stamp signed by the Chief of Staff, von Livonius, and the Captain of the General Staff (Hauptmann im Generalstab), whose signature reads simply "Hell." HELL, General Ernst-Eberhard (1887-1973). Hell's signature certifies the accuracy of the copy (of the sketch, one assumes).

Ernst-Eberhard Hell was a German general who held several divisional commands and was later elevated to Corps level during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Ernst-Eberhard Hell was captured by Soviet troops in August 1944 during the Jassy&Kishinev Offensive (August 1944) and was held until 1955. Awards and decorations, Iron Cross (1914), 2nd Class (11 September 1914), 1st Class (14 August 1916), Eiserner Halbmond, Cross of Honor in 1934, Iron Cross (1939), 2nd Class (12 May 1940), 1st Class (17 May 1940), Eastern Front Medal, German Cross in Gold (14 June 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Knight's Cross on 1 February 1943 as General der Artillerie and commander of VII. Armeekorps, 400th Oak Leaves on 4 June 1944 as General der Artillerie and commander of VII. Armeekorps, Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (12 March 1944) quoted from Wikipedia Map is to do with an apparent plot to capture a military barracks, probably in Weimar. There is no further comment about the significance of this plan or any indication of the action taken in response to it, though the man mentioned in connection with the incriminating map is said to be a government official. Written in German with English summary translation available.

The map is dated in November 1923, which may be significant since it is the same month in which Hitler's attempted Munich Beer Hall Putsch occurred. Could this planned uprising intercepted in Weimar have been intended to support that early Nazi attempted coup?

Weimar was the seat of Germany's parliament at the time, so seizing the Weimar barracks ( if that was the intended target) might have made sense as a threat to the national government. It was definitely a time of great political unrest in Germany, and the Nazis were not the only enemies of the government.