A Large Photograph Of The Head Of The Reichsarbeitsdienst Konstantin Hierl

A large period photograph depicting a close-up portrait of Konstantin Hierl; the reverse with three stamps and a note labeling the picture as Konstantin Hierl on his 65th Birthday; measuring 182 mm x 131 mm; extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Konstantin Hierl (February 24, 1875 - September 23, 1955) was the head of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) and friend of Adolf Hitler before he came to power in 1933. Hierl was a member for the general staff of the 1st Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps, fighting at the Western Front; where he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following the defeat of Germany, Hierl became the head of a right-wing paramilitary Freikorps unit. He joined the NSDAP in 1929 where he became head of the Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst (Volunteer Workers Organization) that provided services to civic and agricultural construction projects. When the NSDAP took power in 1933, Hierl remained head of the labour organization - renamed to Nationalsozialistischer Arbeitsdienst (NSAD). On July 11, 1934, the NSAD was renamed to the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) - State Labour Service, which was divided into two major sections; the Reichsarbeitsdienst Männer for men and the Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend for women. Hierl was named the Reich Labour Leader (Reichsarbeitsführer) in 1935, and was awarded the Golden Party Badge for outstanding service. On February 24, 1945, Hierl was awarded the German Order (the highest decoration of the NSDAP) for his services to the Reich. Following the downfall of the Third Reich, he was tried and found guilty for “major offences”. Hierl was sentenced to five years in a labour camp, where after his release, he lived in Heidelberg until his death on September 23, 1955.