Karl Diebitsch

Karl Diebitch ( born January 3, 1899 in Hanover; † August 6, 1985 in Kreuth ) was a German painter and porcelain painter and consultant of the Reichsführer- SS Heinrich Himmler in " artistic matters ".

Artistic Career

After attending school in Hanover Diebitch began a painting apprenticeship, he was able to complete only after the end of World War II, since he had reported in October 1915 as a volunteer with the German army. In order to study at the Academy of Fine Arts, he moved to Munich, but operated initially politically and as a member of paramilitary groups before he was 1923-1925 student of Hermann Groeber at the Academy. From 1927 to 1931 he was head of a porcelain painting in Munich, then without permanent employment. Early in 1936 he was commissioned by Heinrich Himmler's co-founder of the porcelain factory Allach, there was artistic director and designed vases and Julleuchter, which were intended as gifts for members of the SS.

After the Second World War Diebitch worked as a porcelain painter for the factory Heinrich & Co Selb.

Joined the NSDAP and Rise in the SS

After his Umzg to Munich he met Dietrich Eckart know, then Adolf Hitler and joined the NSDAP in May 1920. Diebitch participated as a member of the Freikorps Oberland to the Ruhr struggle in 1921 also in skirmishes on the border with Poland. In Breslau he was among the founders of a local branch of the NSDAP. After the banning of the party and its reestablishment he did not appear at first but again sharply criticized their recent development. Member of the NSDAP was Diebitch again until 1937 - under new membership number.

Prior to Diebitch applied in 1933 to join the SS, in which he on September 9, 1934 ( SS-Nr. 141 990 ) was added. Heinrich Himmler promoted him on the same day for SS - SS Captain. Diebitch has now been listed as " SS leaders in the personal staff RFSS ". Already on April 20, 1935, he received his promotion to rule SS First Lieutenant. In a direct transport Diebitch was promoted on 1 January 1936 SS -Hauptsturmführer, on 9 November of the same year to SS- Sturmbannführer and - in a re- direct transport - July 25, 1937 SS - Obersturmbannführer.

1939 Diebitch commanded the 11 reinforced SS Totenkopfstandarte. On April 20, 1939, he received the rank of SS - Standartenführer.

On March 1, 1940 Diebitch was assigned to the Waffen -SS, where he held various posts went through as " SS - Standartenführer of the reserve ." He was employed at the Supreme SS and Police Leader Italy and the SS Personnel Main Office. In the summer of 1944 Diebitch was again in the " personal staff RFSS, head office in Munich " called. In the NS - rank structure Diebitch rose to an SS chief officer of the General SS on April 20, 1944.

Parallel to its rise in the SS Himmler Diebitch worked to artistic matters and earned honorary positions in the cultural sector. In 1934 he was a consultant Himmler in artistic matters. In 1937 he became a member of the Reich Culture Senate, 1939, he received the honorary title of "Professor". 1942 Himmler appointed him to the " head of department for artistic and architectural issues."

Works

In addition to his porcelain works Diebitch designed stamps for the German Reich Post, tapestries and interiors for barracks and coats of arms and emblems - such as the research community Deutsches Ahnenerbe.

At the Great German Art Exhibition in Munich's Haus der Deutschen Kunst 1938 and 1939 he took part with paintings.