Theodor Habicht

Theodor Habicht (4 April 1898 – 31 January 1944) was a leading political figure in Nazi Germany. He played a leading role in the Austrian Nazi Party. During World War II, he was involved in the administration of Nazi-occupied Norway until his dismissal by Adolf Hitler. He later served in the Wehrmacht and was killed in action on the Eastern Front at Nevel in 1944.

Early years Born in Wiesbaden and educated in his hometown and Berlin, he volunteered for the German Imperial Army in 1915, serving on the Western Front and at Isonzo in Italy. Briefly involved with communism after his 1919 demobilization, he soon took part in skirmishes against the Spartacist League before settling into various low-level white-collar jobs.

Under orders from Adolf Hitler, he was sent to Austria in 1931 to oversee the reorganization of the Austrian Nazi Party. Later given the title Landesinspekteur, Habicht was the effective leader of the Austrian Nazis although titualar leadership rested with Landesleiter Alfred Proksch. Initially, Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß attempted a conciliation, notably offering Habicht two Nazi cabinet seats, before trying to get Fascist Italy to exert pressure on Hitler to restrain Habicht's anti-government activities.

Habicht was deported in March 1933 after the Austrian government finally decided to ban the Nazi Party outright. In response, Habicht set up a leadership-in-exile in Munich that directed a campaign of terror against the Dollfuß regime and culminated in failed coup attempt and the murder of Dollfuß in July 1934 under the command of Austrian SS leader Fridolin Glass.

His reputation partially restored, Habicht took up a more important role in November 1939, when he was appointed Undersecretary of State in the German Foreign Office.

However, when Habicht's plans were rejected by Johan Nygaardsvold and Haakon VII of Norway, Hitler once again lost faith in Habicht and ordered him into the Wehrmacht in September 1940. He spent the remainder of his life on the Eastern Front with the rank of Hauptmann and commanded an infantry company. He had been promoted to battalion commander shortly before he died in action at Nevel.