Talk:Otto Ohlendorf

message: The NMT IX 96-117 ( Nuremberg document ) apparently states that Katyn was a Nazi atrocity. It actually was done by the Russians. Is this document an Einsatzgruppen forgery? Were there other documents - have they been checked? Are there translations available? Thanks.
159.105.80.141 13:57, 24 May 2007 (UTC)
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message: This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as stub, and the rating on other projects was brought up to Stub class. BetacommandBot 07:29, 10 November 2007 (UTC)
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message: The article says variously that Ohlendorf joined the SS in 1925 and 1926.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.171.93.148 (talk) 08:15, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
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message: Preserving here by providing this link; my rationale was: "c/e; npov; update infobox; swap images; rm pop trivia". --K.e.coffman (talk) 00:55, 14 September 2018 (UTC)
thread_title:  Recent edit 

message: @Obenritter Despite Prof. Steinweis' claiming that Ohlendorf had two doctorates, neither of the two materials he cited in the relevant endnote (namely Isabel Heinemann's Rasse, Siedlung, deutsches Blut, and Michael Wildt's An Uncompromising Generation) mentioned Ohlendorf ever obtaining a doctorate, let along two.
On the other hand, there is plenty of evidence suggesting that Ohlendorf was never a Ph.D.
For example, within the files related to Ohlendorf's promotion in the Reich Ministry of Economics (see BArchiv R 43-II/1141b), there was no mention of him having a doctorate, nor was he ever referred to as Dr. like other Ph.D. functionaries  (cf. Dr. Franz Hayler. R 43-II/1141b, p.188). The curriculum vitae on his Vorschlag zur Ernennung (R 43-II/1141b, p.193) only mentioned that he studied law and economy, passed his first state exam as a lawyer, and had two years of court traineeship. There was no mention of any doctorate(cf. Dr. Hayler. ibid, p.189). This corresponded with David Kiterman and Jennifer B. Capani's conclusion that Ohlendorf never had a doctorate. (Kitterman, D. "Otto Ohlendorf - "Gralshüter des Nationalsozialismus": Die SS: Elite unter dem Totenkopf", 2000, pp. 379-393; Capani, J. "An 'Alter Kampfer' at the Forefront of the Holocaust", 2018. pp. 82)
If Ohlendorf was indeed a Ph.D., he would no doubt proudly boast his title like all his academically extinguished colleagues. However Ohlendorf never mentioned himself as having a doctorate, nor did he ever use such a title. No factual documents, produced in the Reich or by the Allies, ever stated he was a Ph.D., either.
At least from what I can gather, Ohlendorf most likely wasn't a Ph.D. I wonder if there is further information on his possible doctorate, thanks a lot.  Емаш (talk) 20:41, 6 January 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: Well -- the burden of proof is to provide sources that state he possessed no doctorate, not what was or wasn't omitted in the documents you mention or how he referenced himself. Many PhD's (your's truly included) do not make their colleagues refer to them as "Dr"—with the exception being in an academic setting at a university where credentials matter. Unfortunately, if Ohlendorf was not a Ph.D., there are lots of sources that state he was and the latest assertion from Steinweis was published in 2023. Perhaps this title was bestowed upon him in an honorary way by the Nazis. Also, on that document, it seems to indicate that he successfully completed the juristische Staatsprüfung, which would be a state certification for the obtaining of a doctor of jurisprudence (PhD equivalent).  In both English-language and German history works alike, I have encountered references to Ohlendorf as a Ph.D. Maybe somebody has better evidence somewhere to clarify. --Obenritter (talk) 20:55, 6 January 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Doctorate