Suppression 1933-1945 Freemasonry in Germany

jewish-masonic conspiracy: poster series heredity , race science (1935)



memorial liberté chérie in esterwegen

when enabling act of 1933 placed power in hands of hitler, humanitarian lodges, admitted jews , had cosmopolitan ideals, voluntarily dissolved themselves. 3 old prussian grand lodges, exclusively christian in membership, continued protest patriotism in effort stay open. sturmabteilung had removed files 3 globes @ gunpoint. after unsuccessful attempts address impossibility of judaeo-masonic conspiracy in lodges did not admit jews, lieut. col. von heeringen of landesloge obtained audience hermann göring. apparently result of this, 3 remaining grand lodges severed international relations, ceased ritual work, , removed titles reference freemasonry , lodges. in january 1934, new decree made impossible masons had joined nazi party after previous january become or remain party members. joined before allowed remain in rank , file, never expect promotion. dissolution of lodges ordered in may 1935.

in next decade lodge liberté chérie briefly established in hut 6 of esterwegen concentration camp. in november 1943 7 freemasons, nacht und nebel prisoners belgian resistance, formed lodge initiated intern , accepted 2 more members. within year movement of inmates dissolved lodge. 3 of ten members survived war. masonic activity has been reported in 14 prisoner of war camps. these meetings, composed of regular masons, did not feel empowered initiate or confer degrees without grand lodge warrant, , took form of lodges of instruction; time spent trying remember ritual.