×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Ernst vom Rath file photo [9129]

Ernst vom Rath

SurnameRath
Given NameErnst vom
Born3 Jun 1909
Died9 Nov 1938
CountryGermany
CategoryGovernment
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseErnst Eduard vom Rath was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany to a government official. After studying at Breslau, he went to law school in Bonn, Munich, and Königsberg. He joined the Nazi Party in 1932 and joined the SA organization in 1933. Working in the government as a diplomat, he was first posted to Bucharest, Romania then to Paris, France. On 7 Nov 1938, the German Embassy in Paris was visited by a young Jewish man named Herschel Grynszpan, who asked to see a member of the staff. When Rath answered the call, he was shot by Grynszpan with a revolver three times in the abdomen; Grynszpan remained on the scene to be arrested, admitting that he had committed the crime due to his frustration that he could not do anything to aid the helpless Polish-German Jews being forcefully deported, which included his parents and sister. Rath died of the wounds two days later. His death gave the Nazi propaganda machine an excuse to launch a nation-wide demonstration against Jews, which, as planned by top Nazi Party leadership, turned violent, and was later called Kristallnacht, or the "Crystal Night" or "Night of the Broken Glass".

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Dec 2009

Photographs

Portrait of German diplomat Ernst Eduard vom Rath, 1930s

Ernst vom Rath Timeline

3 Jun 1909 Ernst vom Rath was born.
7 Nov 1938 German diplomat Ernst vom Rath was shot three times with a revolver by Herschel Grynszpan in Paris, France.
9 Nov 1938 Ernst vom Rath passed away.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
19 Apr 2010 05:05:48 AM

This page is cool!!

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on Ernst vom Rath
Event(s) Participated:
» Kristallnacht

Ernst vom Rath Photo Gallery
Portrait of German diplomat Ernst Eduard vom Rath, 1930s


Famous WW2 Quote
"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 16 Mar 1945


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!