Christian Schneider

Christian Schneider (19 November 1887 – 5 May 1972) was a Nazi German chemist, industrial manager and, in the Third Reich, a Wehrwirtschaftsführer (war economy leader). He was tried, and ultimately acquitted, for war crimes and his role in the Holocaust.

Early years The son of August Schneider, an electrician, and his wife, Babette Weiss, Schneider studied chemistry at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, completing his doctorate in 1911. He began working with Alwin Mittasch at the nitrogen laboratory at BASF in 1912 and remained in this role until joining the German Imperial Army in 1914, being injured during the conflict. and developed a number of close contacts in the office of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. He joined the Nazi Party proper in 1937 and also became involved in the counter-intelligence work of the Abwehr when he was made Hauptabwehrbeauftragter (head of security officers) for "Liaison Office W" (or Wehrmacht at IG Farben's headquarters in Berlin that same year).

Post-war Brought to trial for plunder, slavery and SS membership at the IG Farben trial, Schneider was acquitted on all counts. After his acquittal, he took roles at the Süddeutsche Kalkstickstoff-Werke AG Trostberg and Rheinauer Holzhydrolyse-GmbH, Mannheim.

During his life Schneider was twice married, to Frieda Butzengeiger and Hedwig Breidenbach, and fathered four children.