On 16 November 1942, he was appointed the Reich Defense Commissioner for his Gau. Shortly after the air raid on Kassel of 22 October 1943, which destroyed the entire city center, Weinrich was charged him with failing in Kassel's war preparations and abandoning the city during the bombing. He was initially placed on leave and then removed from his post as "Gauleiter" on 6 November 1943. His successor was Karl Gerland, then the Deputy "Gauleiter" in Reichsgau Lower Danube.