Dr. Bernhard Frank's doctoral thesis on Wewelsburg

[Michael Fay]

SS Schule Haus Wewelsburg Head of library in 1939:
SS Obersturmfuhrerer Dr Bernhard Frank

While I have found in searching old threads that WAF members have made mention of the more well known facts of Bernhard Frank’s later exploits as commander of W-SS Obersalzberg and his late war arrest of Reichsmarschall Goring,
I personally find his early SS career to be extremely interesting:

According to the helpful book “Heinrich Himmler’s Camelot

Dr.Frank came to Wewelsburg in ’36 and formerly was a researcher of folkloric themes.
He obtained his doctorate on the folkloric subject of “The Fieldnames of Wewelsburg.” A study of the ancient names given to meadows in the area.
This book is his published doctorate thesis and in the forward his place of employment is credited (SS Schule Haus Wewelsburg).

Dr Frank’s life ties into two seemingly disparate sides of the SS…the academic folkloric and ideological side of Himmler’s SS and the more traditionally understood martial aspects of the W-SS, not to mention his pivotal role near the very end arresting Goring.

This is a beautiful example of my personal interests in history and collecting.

[Michael Fay]

Dr. Frank

Frank2

[Michael Fay]

Dr. Frank3

Dr Frank3

[Michael Fay]

Frank4

Frank4

[Michael Fay]

frank5

frank5

[Michael Fay]

frank6

frank6

[Michael Fay]

frank 7

frank7

[Michael Fay]

last shot of Wewelsburg folkloric map

last shot of Wewelsburg folkloric map


Thanks,
Michael

[Etienne B.]

Very interesting material.Thanks for showing

regards,

Etienne

[Albrecht]

Very fascinating Michael, thanks for posting this.

For those who do not read German, I took the liberty of composing a hurried translation of the the first part of the Forward. Its difficult to make out some of the text in the photo, and the text makes use of many oblique terms, so please excuse any errors. I have hyphenated compound words with no direct English equivalent, and taken liberties with redundant terminology.

" The intention in compiling a collection of scientific revisions of the Wewelsburger field-names, is firstly to form a general understanding of the scientific research center of the SS School-House Wewelsburg.

The historical and folkloric research center of the SS School-House Wewelsburg lies directly in Westphalia, because it is bound here to the old German heartland. Here, in the lands of Hermann the Liberator and Widukind, can be found valuable germanic certifications.

The Field-names belong to the most important of such certifications, because directly within the name-giving itself is expressed the internal attitude of the people. It is not like this today, as many rationalists intend that the name for the people (the Volk) to be nothing other than a picture of functionality. The name of a person, a village, a field (land-parcel) is for the native peoples a piece of the Homeland. Only in France, the born materialism remains, streets are consecutively numbered instead of being designated with german names. "


Hopefully this translated text will better demonstrate the significance of the work. The map is most interesting.

[Albrecht]

Do I understand you correctly that the publication date is 1939? Its difficult to make out in the photo.

[JoeW]

Michael, the depth and breadth of your interests and research is enlightening. Good show.

[Robert H]

would be from Historic interest of the todays city's archive

[Carrots]

Very nice Michael, you have exquisite taste.

[Robert H]

I assume it is more about to find such a historical item rather then the question for the taste. Sorry to say but certain items just don't belong outsite of Germany.