August Eigruber, Austrian-German politician (d. 1947)
August Eigruber, born on April 16, 1907, was a prominent and deeply implicated figure within the Nazi Party, an Austrian-born political leader whose career culminated in powerful administrative roles during the Third Reich. He is primarily remembered for his ruthless execution of Nazi policies and his direct culpability in the atrocities committed at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp, for which he was ultimately convicted of crimes against humanity and executed.

The Rise of a Nazi Official

Eigruber's journey into Nazism began relatively early. Hailing from Steyr, Upper Austria, he joined the then-outlawed National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) in 1928, quickly rising through its ranks. His early activism against the Austrian state positioned him as a staunch supporter of the "Anschluss," the 1938 annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. This pivotal event dramatically reshaped his political career, granting him significant power and influence in his home region.

Key Administrative Roles

Following the Anschluss, Eigruber was appointed to several critical positions that consolidated Nazi power in what had been his home region, now integrated into the Greater German Reich:

• Gauleiter of Reichsgau Oberdonau: This was his most significant party office. As Gauleiter (district leader), he wielded immense power, responsible for implementing Nazi ideology, policies, and the party's organizational structure across the entire region. The "Gau" system was the territorial administrative division of the Nazi Party, effectively mirroring state administration and ensuring strict party control.
• Reichsstatthalter of Reichsgau Oberdonau: Concurrently, he served as Reichsstatthalter (Reich Governor), a state-level position. This role essentially combined the highest party authority with the highest governmental authority in the region, making him the ultimate power in the Upper Danube. He reported directly to Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials, embodying the fusion of party and state under Nazism.
• Landeshauptmann of Upper Austria: Prior to the full integration and restructuring under the Reichsgau system, he also held the traditional Austrian title of Landeshauptmann (state governor) of Upper Austria. This role was largely superseded and absorbed by his Gauleiter and Reichsstatthalter positions as the region was transformed into Reichsgau Oberdonau. The name "Oberdonau" (Upper Danube) was a Nazi-imposed term, designed to erase the traditional Austrian identity of "Upper Austria" in line with their vision of a greater German Reich.

Complicity in Atrocities: Mauthausen-Gusen

Eigruber's most damning legacy is his direct involvement and culpability concerning the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp complex. Located within his administrative domain of Reichsgau Oberdonau, Mauthausen became one of the most brutal labor and extermination camps in the Nazi system. As the highest civil and party authority in the region, Eigruber bore significant, direct responsibility for the camp's operations and the horrific crimes committed there. He was fully aware of the systematic murder, torture, and forced labor inflicted upon prisoners, and his office actively facilitated the camp's existence, expansion, and brutal efficiency, ensuring it received necessary resources and political backing.

Trial, Conviction, and Execution

After the collapse of Nazi Germany and the liberation of the concentration camps, August Eigruber was apprehended and brought to justice for his heinous actions. He was tried by an American military tribunal during the Dachau Trials, specifically as part of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Trial (also known as the "Mauthausen Main Trial"). The charges against him included war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly focusing on his direct responsibility for the appalling conditions and widespread atrocities at Mauthausen-Gusen. On May 13, 1946, Eigruber was convicted and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging at Landsberg Prison in Bavaria, Germany, on May 28, 1947, a little over a month after his 40th birthday, marking the end of a career built on terror and oppression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was August Eigruber's main role during the Nazi regime?

He primarily served as Gauleiter and Reichsstatthalter of Reichsgau Oberdonau. This powerful dual role made him the supreme political and administrative authority in the Upper Danube region (largely corresponding to modern-day Upper Austria).

What was Reichsgau Oberdonau?

Reichsgau Oberdonau was an administrative division created by Nazi Germany after the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) in 1938. It largely corresponded to the historical region of Upper Austria and held particular significance as the birthplace of Adolf Hitler.

What was Eigruber's connection to the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp?

Mauthausen-Gusen was located within his administrative territory of Reichsgau Oberdonau. As the highest party and state official, Eigruber bore direct responsibility for the camp's existence, expansion, and the widespread atrocities committed there under his jurisdiction. His office was deeply implicated in its operations and the suffering it caused.

Where was August Eigruber tried and executed?

He was tried by an American military tribunal as part of the Dachau Trials (specifically the Mauthausen Main Trial) and was executed by hanging at Landsberg Prison in Bavaria, Germany.

When did August Eigruber die?

August Eigruber was executed on May 28, 1947.