In the early 1930s, events in the Weimar Republic – which is headed for its downfall – and matters in Neudendettelsau are unfolding rapidly. The majority of citizens in Neuendettelsau vote for the NSDAP on the day of the “Reichstagswahl” [election of the Reichstag] on November 6, 1932.1 The editorial staff of the Freimund under Friedrich Eppelein is also in agreement:
[We confess], that we gladly endorse the fundamental idea, the fundamental will of National Socialism, the great knowledge that has now been granted to us Germans by God through Adolf Hitler.
Freimund, July 20, 1933
In 1933, three months after the appointment of the new Reichskanzler, Eppelein calls him the “great Fuehrer”, the “strong finger of God”, who is at work now.2
April 20th of 1933 marks an euphoric event for the entire Mission Institution: it is the Reichskanzler’s 44th birthday. Promptly, he receives birthday greetings from Neuendettelsau, which are published in the April edition of the Freimund:
Our Fuehrer Adolf Hitler!
Highly esteemed Mr. Reichskanzler!The Franconian community of Neuendettelsau, close to Nuremberg, wishes to express its joy concerning the turn of events in Germany and their reverence for the Fuehrer of the new Reich in the enclosed Hitler-song.
Freimund, April 30, 1933
It is meant to be a folk song, a song for marching and for the youth, which fits any event and can be sung at any occasion.
We would be overjoyed if you, Mr. Reichskanzler, would accept and acknowledge the song.
It is dedicated to you from the entire Neuendettelsau community, who wish you well-being and blessing from above for your difficult and responsibility-laden office on the occasion of your birthday.
Missions Inspector Christian Keyßer – great-grandfather of Bayreuth’s Cult Commissioner Haringke Fugmann who has been in office since 2011 – wrote this birthday song exclusively for the Fuehrer. The second verse of his “Hitler-song” reads:
A leader has been given to us by God;
Freimund, April 30, 1933
He charges forward, faithfully we follow.
The path leads through night and death to light and life;
No peace will be until we are victors.
The first signatories of the birthday greeting are mission director Dr. Eppelein and the director of the deaconess institute, Hans Lauerer. Below follow the signatures of the mayor, then of SA-leader and brother-in-law to Georg Weger, Michael Deuer, leader of the Stahlhelm.3
1 see Vorländer, Hermann: Kirche in Bewegung. Die Geschichte der evangelischen Mission in Bayern, 2014, p. 58
2 Freimund, April 27, 1933
3 Rössler, Hans: Nationalsozialismus in der fränkischen Provinz: Neuendettelsau unterm Hakenkreuz, 2018, p. 66-67
Picture credits:
Cover picture: Peter Horree, Alamy Stock Foto, Unbeugsamer Glaube und fanatischer Siegeswille führten zum 30. Januar 1933
Freimund, April 30, 1933
Christian Keyßer – Rössler, Hans: Nationalsozialismus in der fränkischen Provinz: Neuendettelsau unterm Hakenkreuz, 2018
