Prinzenerlass
Encyclopedia
Prinzenerlass was the name of a decree issued in 1940 by Adolf Hitler
that prohibited all members of Germany's formerly reigning royal houses from joining or participating in any military operations in the Wehrmacht
.
Until the Nazi seizure of power
, and even until the outbreak of World War II
, the members of the former German nobility continued to enjoy the rights they had prior to the abolition of the monarchy in 1918. During the course of the war, however, Hitler changed this position, and a deep mistrust grew, especially after the attempted assassination
on his life, in which several members of the former nobility were key participants.
In May 1940, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia
, the grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II
, took part in the invasion of France
. He was wounded during the fighting in Valenciennes
and died in a field hospital
in Nivelles
on 26 May 1940. His funeral service was held at the Church of Peace
, and he was buried in the Hohenzollern family masoleum in the Antique Temple
in Sanssouci Park
. The service drew over 50,000 mourners.
His death and the ensuing sympathy of the German public toward a member of the former German royal house greatly bothered Hitler
, and he began to see the Hohenzollerns as a threat to his power. Shortly afterwards, the Prinzenerlass was issued, and all members of the former German royal houses were relieved from combat duties.
The law was not rigorously applied, however. In just one example, Eberhard von Urach (1907-1969), the fourth son of the second duke of Urach, and father of the fourth and fifth dukes, served until his capture in 1944.
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
that prohibited all members of Germany's formerly reigning royal houses from joining or participating in any military operations in the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
.
Until the Nazi seizure of power
Machtergreifung
Machtergreifung is a German word meaning "seizure of power". It is normally used specifically to refer to the Nazi takeover of power in the democratic Weimar Republic on 30 January 1933, the day Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany, turning it into the Nazi German dictatorship.-Term:The...
, and even until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the members of the former German nobility continued to enjoy the rights they had prior to the abolition of the monarchy in 1918. During the course of the war, however, Hitler changed this position, and a deep mistrust grew, especially after the attempted assassination
July 20 Plot
On 20 July 1944, an attempt was made to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Führer of the Third Reich, inside his Wolf's Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia. The plot was the culmination of the efforts of several groups in the German Resistance to overthrow the Nazi-led German government...
on his life, in which several members of the former nobility were key participants.
In May 1940, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia
Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1906-1940)
Prince Wilhelm of Prussia was the eldest child and son of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany and Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. At his birth, he was second in line to the German throne, and was expected to one day succeed to the throne after the deaths of his father and grandfather, both of...
, the grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II
William II, German Emperor
Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe...
, took part in the invasion of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. He was wounded during the fighting in Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
and died in a field hospital
Field hospital
A field hospital is a large mobile medical unit that temporarily takes care of casualties on-site before they can be safely transported to more permanent hospital facilities...
in Nivelles
Nivelles
Nivelles is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. The Nivelles municipality includes the old communes of Baulers, Bornival, Thines, and Monstreux....
on 26 May 1940. His funeral service was held at the Church of Peace
Church of Peace (Sanssouci)
The Protestant Church of Peace is situated in the Marly Gardens on the Green Fence in the palace grounds of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, Germany. The church was built according to the wishes and with the close involvement of the artistically gifted King Frederick William IV and designed by the court...
, and he was buried in the Hohenzollern family masoleum in the Antique Temple
Antique Temple
The Antique Temple is a small round temple in the west part of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. Frederick the Great had the building constructed to house his collection of antique artifacts, coins and antique gems. Carl von Gontard created the building in 1768/69 near the New Palace north of the...
in Sanssouci Park
Sanssouci Park
Sanssouci Park is a large park surrounding Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Germany. Following the terracing of the vineyard and the completion of the palace, the surroundings were included in the structure. A baroque flower garden with lawns, flower beds, hedges and trees was created. In the hedge...
. The service drew over 50,000 mourners.
His death and the ensuing sympathy of the German public toward a member of the former German royal house greatly bothered Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, and he began to see the Hohenzollerns as a threat to his power. Shortly afterwards, the Prinzenerlass was issued, and all members of the former German royal houses were relieved from combat duties.
The law was not rigorously applied, however. In just one example, Eberhard von Urach (1907-1969), the fourth son of the second duke of Urach, and father of the fourth and fifth dukes, served until his capture in 1944.