"Führer" was the title of the head of state of the Greater German Reich. It translates in English as "leader".

Führer was the title granted by Chancellor Adolf Hitler to himself by law in 1934. The new position, fully named Führer und Reichskanzler ("Leader and Chancellor of the (Third) Reich"), unified the offices of President and Chancellor, formally making Hitler Germany's Head of State as well as Head of Government respectively; in practice, the Dictator of the Nazi German Reich.

For military matters, Hitler used the style Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht ("Leader and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht"), until that addition was dropped by decree of the Führer. The style of the Head of State for use in foreign affairs was Führer und Reichskanzler ("Leader and National Chancellor") until it was changed to Führer des Grossdeutschen Reichs ("Leader of the Greater German Nation").

The title fell into disuse immediately upon Hitler's death in 1945.

Contents 1 Literary Comment 2 Führer in In the Presence of Mine Enemies 3 Führer in Worldwar 3.1 Note 4 Führer in other works

Literary CommentEdit

Harry Turtledove has depicted the continued use of the title Führer in several timelines.  In Worldwar, Hitler's successors used the title Führer und Reichskanzler throughout the remainder of the series. In In the Presence of Mine Enemies, Hitler's successors used the title Führer des Grossdeutschen Reichs or simply, Führer, implying that the office of chancellor had gone defunct.

Führer in In the Presence of Mine Enemies Edit

Between 1934 and 2011, the Reich saw five führers. Otto von Bismarck was given honorary status posthumously.

Führer	Term
Adolf Hitler	1933-196?
Heinrich Himmler	196?-1985
Kurt Haldweim	1985-2010
Heinz Buckliger	2010-2011
Odilo Globocnik	24 hours in 2011
Heinz Buckliger	2011-20??

In 2011, the reform-minded Heinz Buckliger was temporarily overthrown during a putsch launched by Reichsführer-SS Lothar Prützmann. Odilo Globocnik held the position for about 24 hours until the putsch was defeated and Buckliger was reinstalled.

Führer in Worldwar Edit

Between 1934 and 1966, four men are known to have held the office of Führer and Chancellor of Germany.

Führer and Chancellor	Term
Adolf Hitler	1933-195?
Heinrich Himmler	195?-1965
Ernst Kaltenbrunner	1965
Walter Dornberger	1965-1980(?)
Unknown	1980-2031

Heinrich Himmler died unexpectedly in 1965, while in the midst of planning an attack of Race-controlled Poland. His successor, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, initiated Himmler's plan leading to a brief war that year, which saw the death of Kaltenbrunner, and the ascension of the moderate Walter Dornberger, essentially the last senior official still alive.

NoteEdit

Turtledove never addresses how long Dornberger held the position and who succeeded him after his death.

Führer in other worksEdit

Adolf Hitler is the only Führer identified by name in "Shtetl Days". As he is referred to as the "First Führer", implicitly, he had successors in that office.

Hitler is also the Führer and Chancellor of Germany in The War That Came Early series, which is ongoing as of this writing.

In "Ready for the Fatherland" Erich von Manstein took control of Germany after killing Hitler in 1943, although for how long and whether or not he called himself führer is unknown.

v · d · e Leaders of Nazi Germany OTL Adolf Hitler (as Führer and Chancellor) · Josef Goebbels (as Chancellor) · Karl Dönitz (as President) · Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk (as Leading Minister) Worldwar As Führer and Chancellor Adolf Hitler · Heinrich Himmler · Ernst Kaltenbrunner · Walter Dornberger In the Presence of Mine Enemies As Führer of the Greater German Reich Adolf Hitler · Heinrich Himmler · Kurt Haldweim · Heinz Buckliger · Odilo Globocnik (temporary) Miscellaneous Timelines Adolf Hitler ("Ready for the Fatherland", "Shtetl Days", The War That Came Early) · Erich von Manstein ("Ready for the Fatherland")