Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten
The logo of the organization | |
Original flag of the organization | |
| Named after | Stahlhelm |
|---|---|
| Merged into | Sturmabteilung |
| Successor | Der Stahlhelm – Kampfbund für Europa (1951–2000) |
| Formation | 25 December 1918 |
| Founder | Franz Seldte |
| Founded at | Magdeburg |
| Dissolved | 7 November 1935 (as Nationalsozialistischer Deutscher frontkämpfer-Bund (Stahlhelm)) |
| Type | Ex-servicemen's organization |
| Purpose | Maintain peace and order and foster comradeship founded in the field. |
| Headquarters | Berlin |
| Origins | End of World War I and the German Revolution of 1918 |
Area served | Weimar Republic (1918–1933) Nazi Germany (1933–1935) |
| Membership | 1,500,000 (1933 est.) |
Federal Leader | Franz Seldte |
Deputy Leader | Theodor Duesterberg |
Key people | August von Mackensen |
Publication |
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| Subsidiaries |
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| Affiliations | Deutschnationale Volkspartei |
Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten (German: 'The Steel Helmet, League of Front-Line Soldiers'), commonly known as Der Stahlhelm ('The Steel Helmet'), was a revanchist ex-serviceman's association formed in Germany after the First World War. While claiming inspiration from Italian fascism, and excluding Jewish veterans, as supporters of a Hohenzollern restoration members distinguished themselves from Hitler's National Socialists under whom their clubs were eventually suppressed. After the Second World War, a Stahlhelm network was re-established in West Germany. Following a history of supporting fringe nationalist parties, the last functioning local association dissolved itself in 2000.